Hi Everyone,
Have you had a chance to enjoy our Free Framing and Shipping promotion yet? In case you haven’t heard, we’re currently offering free framing and shipping (plus free gift wrapping) on all photography on graymalin.com. I know that sometimes it can be difficult to make a choice when it comes to art, which is why I love featuring tours of people’s homes to help inspire you. I’m so excited to have Amirah Kassem, the founder of Flour Shop, on the blog today showing us how she styled art from Gray Malin at the Parker in her daughter’s playroom. I’m gonna let Amirah take it from here…
Hi friends! I’m Amirah Kassem the founder of Flour Shop and the creator of the Rainbow Explosion cake! I recently moved to Los Angeles where my love of pizza, unicorns, ice cream, rainbows and cake continues! And I'm also Coco’s mom!
Hi Amirah, thanks for welcoming us into your home! Can you tell us more about Flour Shop? What inspired you to start it and what keeps you inspired to come up with new ideas?
Flour Shop all started as a custom cake business I was running out of my apartment in NYC. It slowly grew into the most instagrammable bakery and then into the happiest brand ever! It was created as my happy place, a place where you can have your cake and eat it too! And by cake, I mean 6 layer rainbow cakes filled and covered in sprinkles served to you on a glitter counter! I would say my childhood and growing up in Mexico has always been my inspiration!
Will you tell us a little bit about your home? What was it like designing a custom home?
When my husband, Ross Harrow, and I first got the house we loved it for the land because it is so unique. It’s so secluded for being in a big city and the house is set back far from the street that our front yard functions as the backyard! But we basically tore all the walls down to the studs and redid the entire house from scratch! We wanted to create a home that made us feel like we are living on vacation. Pulling inspiration from some of our favorite hotels and areas of old Hollywood. And naturally as a foodie, I needed my kitchen to be the heart of my home. It’s probably the biggest room in the house!
When designing your home, what were the 3 most important things you focused on?
Function is always #1. I think there are so many beautiful things about homes but to me LOTS of storage and being able to cook on my kitchen island is key to a functional, clean house! That means closets and built-ins in every room to keep them from getting messy, and a stone that won’t stain from cooking for your kitchen counter. Second would be comfort. I love to entertain and part of hosting is making sure you have a comfortable environment, especially when it comes to seating and layout. Lastly, but definitely not least, FUN! I am a full believer in creating your own happiness through your environment, and since I love color it was important to me that I created fun moments in every room!
How would you describe your interior decor style?
A combination of whimsical and tropical? My designs were once called “Refined Rainbow” by Elle Decor. I don’t even know if that’s a style but let’s just say the exterior is pink and I have about 4 rainbow rugs throughout the house! I love to use lots of color, but no room feels like it’s a traditional rainbow (if that makes sense).
How do you balance your home/work life? How did Covid change this and how did you adjust?
There’s no real balance. I have officially blended everything all together and this totally works for me. And as a new mom I’m loving working from home! Of course I miss my team so much and I can’t wait to get creative with them in the kitchen again, but getting to play with my daughter Coco in between calls just makes the day so special!
When were you first introduced to the GM brand? What was your first piece?
Wow, I can’t even remember when my love for GM started, but I definitely remember loving it even more after meeting him! His radiant smile we are all familiar with from Instagram is even bigger and brighter in real life! Joy pours out of him and you feel happy instantly! Ok I guess you can say I'm a full fan!
What inspired you to pick Mister Parker for your daughter’s room?
A party animal? What’s not to love! I love the Parker Hotel series, but this piece to me is a representation of courage and being brave while having fun all at the same time. And it’s a photo of a party I want to be at! It’s just perfect for Coco’s playroom, and make it a place where she can use her imagination!
What about the Gray Malin lifestyle brand do you connect with?
I mean he has taken photography and turned it into an entire brand, which is so impressive. But you always know a GM product when you see one! There’s a special magic to his process and that's what made me fall in love with it all!
Amirah, thank you again so much for welcoming us into your home and sharing your story! I love how fun and playful your playroom is and I know Coco will grow to love it as well. If you’re thinking of bringing some new art into your home, there’s still time to enjoy Free Framing and Shipping until tomorrow night.
Cheers!
Xx
Gray