Spotlight: Aimée Mazzenga

One of the things I love most about blogging and instagram is getting to meet people from all over and developing friendships with them. Aimée Mazzenga is a Chicago-based interiors photographer with such an incredible eye. I love following her to see the beautiful interiors she photographs, and also getting glimpses into the gorgeous home she’s created with her husband. Aimée approaches everything with such thoughtfulness—her work, her home, her relationships—and I really admire that about her.

IN HER WORDS…

I’m Aimée and I’m an interior photographer living in the heart of Chicago with my husband Jonny, a music composer. After professionally photographing everything under the sun for nearly a decade, I began to explore a career in interior design because of my natural passion for it. One thing led to the next, and I found myself photographing interiors. And I finally felt that I had found my sweet spot. It’s a gift to hold up a mirror to my clients work, reflecting back the beauty for the rest of the world to see. I absolutely love and am so grateful for the work I get to do.

HOW SHE’S KEEPING SPIRITS UP…

Inspired by Brene Brown’s, quote, “talk to yourself like you would someone you love,” referencing kind self talk, we’ve been practicing, “hosting ourselves like we would someone we love.” One of our favorite things to do is to host friends in our home. We love to cook, Jonny is a killer bartender and we love the art of hospitality and creating space for people. So we’ve been taking all the love and energy we’d usually expend on others and giving it to ourselves. We set the table, light candles, pour our favorite Flora prosecco and whip up pasta. It’s been a true gift just to be together in this time and to make even more space for our relationship. As two extroverts, we’ve had to adjust to just being us two most of the time. I feel like I tell Jonny everyday how grateful I am for him. To be quarantined with someone whom I love, adore and feel loved and adored by. Something I don’t want to take for granted as I know this season can be incredibly difficult relationally for so many people.

READING…

Here and Now by Henri Nouwen

A Promised Land by Barack Obama

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Re-Connect by Steve Call

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

WATCHING…

I’m a feel good movie girl always, but especially amidst this pandemic. My soul can’t handle any more darkness. My tried and true favorites are:

You’ve Got Mail

Somethings Gotta Give

Funny Face

It’s Complicated

When Harry Met Sally

Notting Hill

Sleepless in Seattle

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION + NEXT PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT…

Jonny and I are dying to get back Casa Privata on the Amalfi Coast. We spent some time there a few years ago and are convinced there isn’t a more magical place. Stateside, we hope to make it to The Inn at Kenmore Hall in The Berkshires sometime soon.

Favorite places to look for interior inspiration or pieces for your home…

We find almost everything for our home second hand. I love the patina of antiques and how layered and storied it makes a home feel. We have found that you can afford much more high end and unique pieces when looking second hand. We love to go to estate sales and have our regular antique/furniture shops we visit in Chicago.

I find so much inspiration on instagram and in our very large collection of home and design books. Some of my favorites are The New Traditional by Darryl Carter, Vogue Living, Thomas O’Brien’s American Modern and The Great American House by Gil Schaefer.

INSPIRED BY…

@markdsikes I love how Mark takes his love for beauty and curates a beautiful feed celebrating current events, design inspiration, dogs, gorgeous homes and his life. It’s effortless and inspiring.

@anoukyve has been my go to lately for all things fashion.

@kristinellenmartin I love how Kristin captures the beauty she has created around her. There is something so peaceful and poetic about it. I find it so inspiring getting to peek into her beautiful home and garden.