Designer Crush: Anne Carr
Author:Lindsey ShookDesigner Anne Carr has quite the resume. Formerly in finance and design media, Carr found her forever career when she began renovating and designing homes. Now working across the country, the L.A. based designer owns a dynamic design and staging firm that has led her to curate warm, modern spaces that touch on tradition. We asked Carr more about her background and what keeps her inspired these days.
–How did you get your start in design? Well, I am now on my third career. After a long career in finance, I yearned for something more creative. My mother was an intuitive designer and I grew up talking about houses and design. I had renovated two of my own homes and because I was busy I wanted so much to be available on the internet. This was 2003 so it was early days for online shopping but I started an online magazine/resource guide for renovating and decorating, called Blinkdecor. We were in talks with Hachette in 2008 when the recession hit and everything fell apart. So I enrolled at NYSID to learn the design trade. Right when my career was beginning in design we moved to California so I had to start over again.
–How do you describe your style and what makes it unique? I describe my style as west coast ease meets east coast sensibility. I have always felt that a home should be a refuge or sanctuary because so many memories come from “home.” I think I have a good eye for juxtapositions. I love light, airy things but don’t mind combining them with more traditional pieces. Most of my designs have an appreciation for good craftsmanship. I don’t take things too seriously so I love adding something fun in a room, whether it be a fun fabric or an interesting one of a kind piece. Lighting to me is also integral to a home as it can make or break a room. I like mine to be as dramatic as a client allows.
–Who are some of the artisans and furnishing brands you love to work with and why? I love anything made by an artisan or organic feeling. I like things that are unique and tell a story. Blaxsand and Thomas Hayes are two of my favorites. In terms of textiles, I love Romo and Weitzner.
–Who are your biggest professional role models and why? I love Kelly Wearstler because she breaks rules and through that creates a drama that relays a message. I love to be startled by a design, particularly one that makes me think “why didn’t’ I do that?” Most clients are afraid to take a risk in their homes so as a designer it is important to push clients into something other than what is safe.
–Describe one particularly memorable project and what made it so special. I had a project where I was working on a kitchen, bathrooms and outdoor spaces for a young West Hollywood couple. They were so enthusiastic about all the ideas I gave them. Their honesty and trust were really fulfilling for me, as a designer, but it also made me want to work harder for them.
–What’s your dream vacation destination and itinerary? I love visiting new cities and exploring everything that makes that city unique, from the restaurants to the shops. Every city has a slightly different personality which I try to figure out through exploring. I used to love beach vacations but now that I try to stay out of the sun I’ve become a ski vacation fan. Its a time my whole family can be active together.
–What’s your ideal Saturday from a.m. to p.m.? Have a cup of coffee in bed followed by Soul Cycle or hiking in Temescal Canyon. Late lunch and a nap followed by cocktails with friends.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
–Favorite cocktail? WINE or margaritas!
–Most quotable movie or TV show? Schitt’s Creek or any show that makes me laugh.
-First concert? Kiss (I didn’t know who they were but my Dad gave me the tickets)
–Current celebrity crush? Always will be Matt Damon!
–Favorite book? Hard to narrow down because I am an ardent reader but I love these classics: Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghase, Half a Yellow Sun by Chimanda Adichie, Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner.
