Live Beautiful Hardcover – Illustrated, March 3, 2020
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Description
- From the celebrated design expert, interior designer, and creator of EyeSwoon, Athena Calderone, comes a look into how creatives decorate their spaces. “This book is filled with her wisdom, insight, and direction on how to create and curate a space that will always feel like home.” —Bobby Berk, star, Queer Eye Beautiful design isn’t just pleasant to look at; it improves the quality of our lives. In Live Beautiful, Athena Calderone taps into her international network of interior decorators, fashion designers, and tastemakers to reveal how carefully crafted interiors come together. She also opens the doors to two of her own residences. With each homeowner, Calderone explores the initial spark of inspiration that incited their design journey. She then breaks down the details of the rooms—like layered textures and patterns, collected pieces, and customized vignettes—and offers helpful tips on how to bring these elevated elements into your own space. This is much more than simply a beautiful coffee table book filled with stunning images of beautifully designed homes. Calderone writes in her introduction, “As much as this book is about intimate creative portraits, it is also a practical deep dive, offering actionable ideas that will help you design your home. The inspiring photography here is accompanied by extractable tips on ‘why the design works,’ the resources each home drew from, and teacherly insight to help you understand the principles at play.” Filled with gorgeous photography by Nicole Franzen, Live Beautiful is both a showpiece of exquisite design and a guide to creating a home that’s thoughtfully put together.
Details
Publication Details
- Publisher
- Abrams Books
- Publication date
- March 3, 2020
- Edition
- Illustrated
- Language
- English
Physical Specifications
- Print length
- 256 pages
- Item Weight
- 3.6 pounds
- Dimensions
- 9.33 x 11.26 x 1.18 inches
ISBN
- ISBN-10
- 1419742809
- ISBN-13
- 978-1419742804
Frequently asked questions
- What is this book about?
- It is a look into how creatives decorate their spaces, offering actionable tips and insight from interior designers, with photography by Nicole Franzen.
- Who is the author?
- Athena Calderone, a celebrated design expert, interior designer, and creator of EyeSwoon.
- What format is the book?
- It is a Hardcover – Illustrated edition, published March 3, 2020.
Customer reviews
Attainable aspirations, with gems of knowledge and inspiration
For true lovers of interior design and long-time followers of Athena (Eyeswoon)'s work, this is a beautifully curated book that earns it's place on the coffee table not just for the photos, but also the rich content provided. I've collected many interior books over the years that date themselves quickly, but I appreciate the eclecticism of these spaces that somehow transcend time and trends. Of course you will find the swoon worthy anecdotes of her two New York properties in Brooklyn and Amagansett, which to me are obviously the highlights of this book. You can clearly see the distinct personal trademark she puts in an urban dwelling vs. summer getaway. Two very different environmental challenges, but both have that airy, elevated feel that still manages to feel approachable and functional. She's not afraid to go an unconventional route, nor seamlessly blend in vintage ceramic vessels with ikea bedframes. This is her charm and she explains little tips and tricks that will get your own creativity flowing. Let's be real, most of our budgets will need some high/low! I love her ability to layer textures with crisp neutral palettes, but her true talent shines in curating pieces that can be standalone moments, and yet beautifully harmonize an entire room to create an atmosphere that is undeniably serene and chic. For the rest of the book, you will gain insight into the homes of some very famous names (Jenna Lyons, Nate Berkus) and some you may not have heard of in various places around the world. To me, this is a very celebratory book of different walks of life and design styles that have very personal touches. It's interesting to see how they each push boundaries in their own way, each guided by their own principles. This is a book that appreciates individualism through thoughtful creators. I loved reading about Jenna Lyons' use of unlacquered brass and unfinished oak, to show that she's ok with imperfectionism and the beauty of aging. Every time I see a dent on my floor, I take a deep breath and say "wabi sabi" to channel my inner Jenna Lyons. I'm puzzled by some of these mixed reviews and think they might be missing the point, but to me this is a book that will be full of added value to any design aficionado. There are even tags of what paint colors have been used, online decor destinations, and places of inspiration. Gems of knowledge!
For true lovers of interior design and long-time followers of Athena (Eyeswoon)'s work, this is a beautifully curated book that earns it's place on the coffee table not just for the photos, but also the rich content provided. I've collected many interior books over the years that date themselves quickly, but I appreciate the eclecticism of these spaces that somehow transcend time and trends. Of course you will find the swoon worthy anecdotes of her two New York properties in Brooklyn and Amagansett, which to me are obviously the highlights of this book. You can clearly see the distinct personal trademark she puts in an urban dwelling vs. summer getaway. Two very different environmental challenges, but both have that airy, elevated feel that still manages to feel approachable and functional. She's not afraid to go an unconventional route, nor seamlessly blend in vintage ceramic vessels with ikea bedframes. This is her charm and she explains little tips and tricks that will get your own creativity flowing. Let's be real, most of our budgets will need some high/low! I love her ability to layer textures with crisp neutral palettes, but her true talent shines in curating pieces that can be standalone moments, and yet beautifully harmonize an entire room to create an atmosphere that is undeniably serene and chic. For the rest of the book, you will gain insight into the homes of some very famous names (Jenna Lyons, Nate Berkus) and some you may not have heard of in various places around the world. To me, this is a very celebratory book of different walks of life and design styles that have very personal touches. It's interesting to see how they each push boundaries in their own way, each guided by their own principles. This is a book that appreciates individualism through thoughtful creators. I loved reading about Jenna Lyons' use of unlacquered brass and unfinished oak, to show that she's ok with imperfectionism and the beauty of aging. Every time I see a dent on my floor, I take a deep breath and say "wabi sabi" to channel my inner Jenna Lyons. I'm puzzled by some of these mixed reviews and think they might be missing the point, but to me this is a book that will be full of added value to any design aficionado. There are even tags of what paint colors have been used, online decor destinations, and places of inspiration. Gems of knowledge!
Yes, beautiful! ...and sophisticated and unique and still friendly and approachable and relaxed.
I loved Cook Beautiful! But, I've been a fan of Athena's style for a while now; and as an interior designer, I was particularly excited to have such a wonderful resource to study her style. I'm 56 and always interested to stay current! Design tends to be quite conservative where I live and work. I love the way Athena is young and current and yet so very stylish, so very chic. In today's world of so many young people that seem to all want the same look, Athena is in another universe. Each page is so clean, but not too clean... so full of texture and color, yet monochromatically sophisticated. Yes, it's beautiful on my coffee table, but I find myself studying it still every day; to entertain and edify my designer self. Of course I am taking what I can to incorporate into my home or my work. I'll keep it forever as a treasured representation of my most favorite style of this time period. Oh, if I could be as sophisticated as Athena! If you study or just enjoy interiors, don't miss this one. Not only is her style just top, top and... well... just very cool; but she seems to be a real doll, herself! (Instagram - Eyeswoon - love it!) Thank you, Athena, for sharing with us! Keep Living Beautiful!!!
I loved Cook Beautiful! But, I've been a fan of Athena's style for a while now; and as an interior designer, I was particularly excited to have such a wonderful resource to study her style. I'm 56 and always interested to stay current! Design tends to be quite conservative where I live and work. I love the way Athena is young and current and yet so very stylish, so very chic. In today's world of so many young people that seem to all want the same look, Athena is in another universe. Each page is so clean, but not too clean... so full of texture and color, yet monochromatically sophisticated. Yes, it's beautiful on my coffee table, but I find myself studying it still every day; to entertain and edify my designer self. Of course I am taking what I can to incorporate into my home or my work. I'll keep it forever as a treasured representation of my most favorite style of this time period. Oh, if I could be as sophisticated as Athena! If you study or just enjoy interiors, don't miss this one. Not only is her style just top, top and... well... just very cool; but she seems to be a real doll, herself! (Instagram - Eyeswoon - love it!) Thank you, Athena, for sharing with us! Keep Living Beautiful!!!
resourceful and beautifully compiled collection
LIVE BEAUTIFUL is not only a handsome coffee table book, but also a useful tool for people at all design levels. I have come across so many designers who don’t share their sources—and in the end, their books or social media posts are simply a boast of ‘look at what I have done’ with not much info left for the rest of us (or at least me) to figure out where and how they did things—sending me down the rabbit hole of Google. If you like Ms. Calderone’s style, you won’t be disappointed. Her intent to share her own knowledge, as well as others, is inclusive and encouraging. Her approach is ‘you can do this too’, rather than ‘look at me! look at me!’ In one section, she talks about how an object that has shattered or frayed can still be beautiful and useful—such as being used as a sculptural piece on top of books. And the best part about the book are the resources she shares—where to shop, what paint to use, which websites to peruse for décor—invaluable information and a time saver. Great gift for those who appreciate understated, yet refined, spaces.
LIVE BEAUTIFUL is not only a handsome coffee table book, but also a useful tool for people at all design levels. I have come across so many designers who don’t share their sources—and in the end, their books or social media posts are simply a boast of ‘look at what I have done’ with not much info left for the rest of us (or at least me) to figure out where and how they did things—sending me down the rabbit hole of Google. If you like Ms. Calderone’s style, you won’t be disappointed. Her intent to share her own knowledge, as well as others, is inclusive and encouraging. Her approach is ‘you can do this too’, rather than ‘look at me! look at me!’ In one section, she talks about how an object that has shattered or frayed can still be beautiful and useful—such as being used as a sculptural piece on top of books. And the best part about the book are the resources she shares—where to shop, what paint to use, which websites to peruse for décor—invaluable information and a time saver. Great gift for those who appreciate understated, yet refined, spaces.
A Design Book to Treasure
This book is like having a sophisticated friend with impeccable tastes give you a tour of beautiful homes to demonstrate her design philosophies and insights. Ms. Calderone writes with warmth and elegance, weaving nuggets of design wisdom with gorgeous photographs. It is more than a beautiful coffee table book. I read it from front to cover. And while my budget may not allow me to frequent the places that these lucky homeowners can easily afford, the inspiration will unlock your own imagination and allow you to create a beautiful space of your own.
This book is like having a sophisticated friend with impeccable tastes give you a tour of beautiful homes to demonstrate her design philosophies and insights. Ms. Calderone writes with warmth and elegance, weaving nuggets of design wisdom with gorgeous photographs. It is more than a beautiful coffee table book. I read it from front to cover. And while my budget may not allow me to frequent the places that these lucky homeowners can easily afford, the inspiration will unlock your own imagination and allow you to create a beautiful space of your own.
