About

Growing up as a third-generation Chinese American, I never quite fit the mold. Too Americanized for some, too Asian for others. But somewhere in that in-between space, I found something beautiful — a deep love for East Asian art and philosophy that helped me make sense of who I was.

As a kid, I turned to the Tao Te Ching to quiet my mind. I folded origami until my fingers knew the creases by heart — and eventually, that practice took me further than I ever expected, earning me international recognition for my paper sculptures. Art wasn't just something I made. It was how I understood the world.

AiMEiRi is the brand that grew out of that lifelong relationship. Ai means love. Mei means beauty. And Ri? It just makes you smile.

I design wall art, throw pillows, blankets, and table linens — pieces rooted in East Asian tradition but made for modern homes. Right now, I'm especially inspired by the bold, intricate prints of Japanese kimonos. Each piece is my interpretation of that East-meets-West aesthetic I've carried my whole life: minimalism with a pulse. Art that speaks — not whispers, not shouts.

I live by the Jersey Shore and run this whole thing myself. When generative AI upended my career as a technical writer, I made a choice: ride the wave instead of fighting it. I use AI as a creative tool to bring my designs to life — but the vision, the aesthetic, the soul of AiMEiRi? That's all me.

If you're looking for pieces that feel intentional — staples that will still feel right in your home ten years from now — you're in the right place.

— Melanie