Photos byDerek Kouyoumjian
A true femme fatale has two things: beauty and brains.
Amy Holman didn’t exactly love law school. “I think I was the brunette version of Legally Blonde,” she laughs. But Holman had the right stuff, and actually practiced law for a number of years. Then the Newton native and NYC transplant decided to pursue her real passion: the beauty industry. She opened her Newbury Street business Femme Fatale Airbrush Tan,Boston’s first custom airbrush-only salon, earlier this summer. Femme Fatale uses the same state-of-the-art Infinity Sun System that gives Miss USA contestants their pageant-perfect glow. It’s not just the smart alternative to skin-damaging fake bakes, says Holman, but “makeup for the body” that evens out complexions and smoothes away imperfections.
Naturally, this bodacious businesswoman also keeps a radiant home. Two months ago she moved in to the Residences at W Boston, lured by the Manhattan-style vibe. She outfitted the space in a style not dissimilar to her salon: both are feminine and welcoming, a marriage of old-school romanticism and contemporary, single-in-the-city chic. We paid a house call to check out Holman’s new place and ask the glam guru what she thinks every woman needs in order to build a beautiful bachelorette pad.
A VISION.
Believe it or not, Holman purchased every furnishing and home décor item online. By taking careful measurements and totally trusting her gut she avoided her most dreaded chore: “mall shopping.” That her mom is an interior decorator also helped. They have totally different styles, but growing up with an aesthete helped Holman internalize basic design knowledge. (For instance, pairing high backed armchairs with a low couch, to play with height and dimension.) The rest of us should study design books for 101 tips.
ROLE MODELS.
Every woman should be the queen of her castle, so take cues from the regal beauties that came before. The big framed Audrey Hepburn photo in Holman’s bedroom honors the classic Hollywood screen sirens that are her style inspiration: hence the room’s regal tones of purple and silver, and the home’s glitzy, girly accents. (Like a kitchen chandelier!)
CLOSET SPACE.
The former New Yorker knows what it’s like to be short on storage. “Remember Sex & the City, how Carrie keeps her shoes in the oven?” laughs Holman. Inside that huge custom-built “entertainment center” you won’t find a single DVD: just surplus from her 100-plus heels collection. It looks like a built-in, but is actually a standalone piece. She used it as a sleek focal point around which to build the rest of the room. That big, blank white slate is accessorized with decor in Mediterranean hues of rich blue, pale yellows and subdued greens.
SOMETHING BUBBLY.
Holman is too busy running a new business to cook for herself, so the kitchen is practically just for show. She chose subdued, naturalistic brown cabinetry so that the prep area recedes into the background. Her fridge is bare, but you’ll always find a bottle of something boozy. It’s a must for splitting with a guest or indulging solo after a hard day.
A HEALTHY OUTLOOK.
Holman’s favorite W perk is the 24-hour fitness center, which lets her work in a workout whenever her schedule allows. That commitment mirrors her healthy business approach. “I see girls in their twenties who look like they’re in their forties from tanning beds,” says Holman, who hopes more will convert to sunless airbrushing. “It’s a mindset change, to understand that you can look the same you would from a day at the beach – but in a healthier way.”
Interested in an apartment at the W? Visit100stuartstreet.com.
