Anne and I spent several years reading one another’s blogs and interacting purely online before we worked together on Rue magazine back in 2010/11. Long before we worked together, I had admired Anne’s ability to capture the reader so instantly and eloquently with her writing. In fact, her knack for the written word is really what makes her first book, Sage Living: Decorate for the Life You Want such a knockout title. Click through after the jump to see a peek inside the book and discover its unique concept.
It’s no surprise that Josef Harris and Liz Gardner’s Minneapolis home office space in a converted 19th Century factory building caught my eye. After all, the industrial feel of their space is akin to the main office space set design in Nancy Meyers’ latest movie, The Intern, which I have been working on for the past few months. In the Create with Contrast chapter, Anne explains how the design of Liz and Josef’s light and airy loft reflects the contrasting yet complimentary strengths the fuel the creative couple’s relationship. I was inspired to read about how the duo have kept the space as fluid and flexible as possible. Whether they need to use the floor area for a photoshoot or conference room, they have the ability to switch up their furniture edit to make it work, quickly. I’m familiar with having to get creative with my own small space living and working environment, so this sentiment and approach to decorating 100% rings true.
In fact, the concept of Anne’s book ticks both emotional and practicality boxes throughout. Written from the perspective that our spaces shape the kind of lives we have, Anne shows us via 28 spaces how our homes can help us achieve a personal lifestyle goal. Authentic from cover to cover, this book in Anne’s own words is “for the interiors junkie, the reader, anyone in transition, the object enthusiast, and the personal growth devotee.” I urge you to grab a copy and take time to contemplate your own space as a result. Happy reading and congratulations, Anne!
// Photography by Emily Johnston; used with permission.
16 Comments
I didn’t realise Anne had a book out. Thanks for letting me know!!
@Susan – Pleasure. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice.. Love the windows in the second image
@RJ – Riiiiiiight?! Me too!
They’re in the process of redoing an old factory and turning it into lofts a few blocks from my current house, definitely going to be looking into them as soon as they’re completed! Love all this natural light.
Josh | The Kentucky Gent
http://thekentuckygent.com
@Josh – OMG, you have to! Let me know how it goes – I wanna see snaps!
Looks amazing
@Ben – Check it out, for sure!
Hello Will it’s always a pleasure when I get to read a new post of yours. Thank you for the introduction to Anne’s book. Best, Mary Jane
@Mary Jane – Very kind of you to say, thank you. Appreciate you stopping by!
Thanks for the book tip Will, Anne is a new find for us, and I love what I see!
@Glyn – My pleasure!
Ooh I l be the idea of designing for the life you love. Currently updating my humble abode and will think about looking to this book for some ideas.
@Victoria – Good luck with the updates to your place!
Love the layering of the books and frames on the ground in the first photo! So inspirational, can’t wait to have my own place to start damaging my bank account for some decoration, haha! Ricardo
@Ricado – So glad you found the book as inspiring as I did! 🙂