ATHENA CALDERONE

Home is at the heart of Athena Calderone’s second book, Live Beautiful. The creative director, interior designer, stylist and home chef shares the books she returns to time and again for inspiration indoors, to help lift our spaces, and our spirits.

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1. ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST AT 100: A CENTURY OF STYLE (ABRAMS, 2019)

“I have multiple personal connections to this book – AD editor-in-chief Amy Astley is a dear friend and the publication has featured both my Brooklyn and Amagansett homes. But I’m a voyeur at heart, and this book gives you a glimpse into the homes of larger-than-life A-list celebrities from Marlene Dietrich to the Obamas.”

2. FRANÇOIS HALARD: A VISUAL DIARY, BY FRANCOIS HALARD (RIZZOLI, 2019)

“This book from the legendary French photographer is a must-have visual reference that I turn to again and again. Each space feels like a study in design history – I find myself diving into each image and dissecting its many rich layers. While my personal style is different than many of the spaces depicted, it has been a consistent source of inspiration.”

3. PIERRE YOVANOVITCH: INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, BY PIERRE YOVANOVITCH (RIZZOLI, 2018)

“This is my design bible when it comes to texture and materiality. In my opinion, Pierre is one of the best interior architects of his generation and I’m endlessly inspired by his work. He recently prompted the reintroduction of rich and rustic woods in my own design work.”

4. LIVE BEAUTIFUL, BY ATHENA CALDERONE (ABRAMS, 2020)

“My new book Live Beautiful is ultimately about breaking down interior design in an actionable,

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realistic way. I can always trace my own design projects back to a single piece or stroke of inspiration, and I wanted to document that process in other designers’ homes and offer that behind-the-scenes insight to the readers. It was a labour of love, and I hope that each and every reader walks away feeling empowered to experiment with design in their own homes.”

5. THIS IS HOME: THE ART OF SIMPLE LIVING, BY NATALIE WALTON

(HARDIE GRANT, 2018)

“I love Natalie Walton’s styling work and her way with words. This book is equal parts aspirational and authentic. She dissects personal style and explains how to tastefully imbue your personality into a space without spending a fortune. It’s a visually stunning and educational read.”

6. JOSEPH DIRAND: INTERIOR, BY JOSEPH DIRAND

“I absolutely pored over this book by Parisian architect Joseph Dirand – he is simply the best of the best. The kitchen in my Brooklyn townhouse was actually inspired by his former kitchen in Paris. His work has always been a huge source of inspiration for me; I like to pick little corners, arrangements and colour palettes of his and filter them through my own lens.”

(RIZZOLI, 2017)