Live Beautiful

 
Athena Calderone in her kitchen. Photo: Courtesy of Adrianna GlavianoMonday, May 18th 2020, by Pantea Kouhpayeh

Athena Calderone in her kitchen. Photo: Courtesy of Adrianna Glaviano

Monday, May 18th 2020, by Pantea Kouhpayeh

Don’t Hate Her Because She Lives Beautiful, She’ll Show You How You Can Do it too!

           As many know her by the name of “EyeSwoon”, Athena Calderone is a renowned author, interior designer, and more than anything a visual storyteller whose mission, for the last few years, has been to create an online destination for food, decor, and lush lifestyle lovers. 3 years after publishing her unquestionable success “Cook Beautiful”, this lifestyle influencer traveled to all corners of the world wishing to interview 19 of the celebrated international creative directors, fashion designers, and interior decorators to disclose how carefully such tastemakers design their own very intimate living space. As Athena herself accurately justifies, “I have always been intrigued by the behind-the-scenes: the hidden process of how things magically come together and the spark of inspiration that incites a journey.” In Live Beautiful, she attempts to find the roots of aesthetics each of the aforementioned creatives have utilized in their residences; or in other words, Athena intends to amplify the quieter creative influences that reflect each person’s individuality and shape the alchemy turning a house into the individual’s home. Likewise, not only she takes you on a journey to visit creatives' astonishing houses, but also she opens the doors to 2 of her own eye-catching residences.  

Live Beautiful written by Athena Calderone, March 3, 2020. Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Franzen

Live Beautiful written by Athena Calderone, March 3, 2020. Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Franzen

Throughout the book, which is categorized based on property, the author shares her insight along with a number of takeaways. She further highlights the details used in each room including the right balance of scale, patterns, textures, and layers in an effort to refine practical solutions as to why a space works. In her review of the so-called book Olivia Wilde, famous actress, points out, “Athena has masterfully curated a collection of truly remarkable examples of beauty meeting pragmatism. This book is so full of inspiration it almost feels like cheating when you realize she has given you the clues to replicate each stunning project. I will forever use this as a source for all my design dreams, both the practical and elaborate.”

Inside the living room of Giancarlo and Jane Keltner de Valle. Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Franzen

Inside the living room of Giancarlo and Jane Keltner de Valle. Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Franzen

In summoning all of the creatives in this book, Athena strived to look at the aesthetic world surrounding her through their lens and more significantly understand her own eye and ideals. To Live Beautiful simply means to practice aesthetics, not in an effort to mimic, but rather to inform and train each person’s eye for aesthetics. Ultimately, filled with impressive photography by Nicole Franzen, Live beautiful is a guide to help you thoughtfully assemble a beautiful home, no matter your budget and expertise.