Down to Earth

Book excerpt: The designer and author of Habitat “shares how she imbues any space with warmth and energy” in this elevated yet accessible follow-up (MarthaStewart.com). Down to Earth picks up right where Lauren Liess’s critically acclaimed Habitat left off. While Habitat walked readers through the decorating process step-by-step, Liess’s latest title takes a step beyond the basics and invites readers to incorporate the main components of her familiar design aesthetic: nature, easy living, and approachability. With evocative photos and substantive design advice, Down to Earth focuses on creating a lifestyle that inspires creativity and functionality. Throughout the book, Liess shows readers how to incorporate six guiding principles in six unique homes: a new farmhouse, a classic American historical home, a lakeside contemporary house, a modern villa, a turn-of-the-century American Foursquare, and a cedar and glass house on a bluff. While each home has a different architectural style, fingerprints of Liess’s down-to-earth style are evident throughout. “Full of the stunning images you would expect. They will spark your creativity and inspire your own designs. However, the real beauty comes from Lauren showing readers how to create ease in their own homes.” —Ariadne Shoppe “Her style embraces lived-in, vintage-inspired interiors . . . Her philosophy is that if your home is relaxed, then you’re relaxed.” —One Kings Lane