{anne turner carroll, photo by Ted Tucker}
Meet my friend: Anne Turner Carroll. That's a double name, or you can just call her "Turner". She is the Assistant Decorating Editor at Cottage Living magazine and has agreed to give us some inside scoop...
Get yourself a spot of tea... this is a dive-in-and-stay-awhile post...
Anne Turner and I became acquaintances in college, as we were fellow Interior Design classmates at Auburn University. As semesters passed, we discovered that we were not only common-bond design-junkies, but made for pretty good friends too. We even headed off to New York together for our internships. Anne Turner interned for the Hable sisters at Hable Construction, and then post-graduation went back to New York for a job with famed designers Diamond & Baratta, then later Goodwyn, Mills,& Cawood. After a couple of years in New York, Anne Turner decided to head back south, and found herself in Birmingham, Alabama... where she settled in at Cottage Living magazine... where she is the Assistant Decorating Editor.
Anne Turner is creative and brilliant. If you are a designerly type - you know we feed off each other... she's one of those people you just can't get enough of! She was gracious enough to divulge a few interesting tid bits on life inside Cottage Living... I hope you enjoy:
3 daily stresses you felt in "design firm world":
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a variety of firms: local residential designers, two high end residential designers, and a commercial architecture/interiors firm. All of them came along with a hodge-podge of daily stresses:
1. Not knowing what to expect next. This one's reserved for the dynamic duo (DBD).
2. Budgeting.
3. Juggling numerous projects at once.
3 daily stresses in feel in the "magazine world":
I am fortunate to work for a fantastic team who create Cottage Living every day. It’s something I have always dreamed of doing (working in the magazine industry). So, my daily design world within the magazine world is the best combination for me. I wouldn't trade it for anything. That said, there are daily stresses:
1. Challenging my creativity. I am constantly trying to drive myself to think outside of the box, take more risks.
2. Staying current. It's a full time job to be in-the-know within this booming design world.
3. Remaining focused. It's so hard to stay in my desk chair when I hear the other editors laughing and talking just outside. I have to join in! I'm so blessed to work so closely with these incredibly talented women (and a few men) I call my friends.
Do you utilize your interior design degree more now (at Cottage Living) or did you utilize it more at DBD {Diamond Baratta Design} and your other design-firm jobs?
Honestly, more at Cottage. Actually, I use it now more than ever.
From scouting a potential project to the day it hits the newsstands how long does it take?
This varies project to project. There are a lot of different elements that come into play here. Seasonality is important. If it's a summer home then we'll shoot it in summer and run it usually the next summer. Other stories (Get Comfortable and Express Your Style) can usually be shot anytime of year since the styling and interior is what makes them seasonal.
What’s the biggest challenge when you go into someone’s house to shoot?
For me the challenge is getting it done and done well within a limited time frame. I have to make sure there's enough time in the days allotted to produce the best shots possible.
Do you magazine people read blogs?
Absolutely! I personally love it! It's a wonderful source of inspiration as well as just plain fun. It so interesting to see what others are interested in and what inspires them.
With Cottage Living being based in
(ie: the “fresh ideas” spreads – or are they called “get comfortable”?)
Tidbit: The name of the story is Get Comfortable. The section it’s in is now called “The Good Life” (used to be “Fresh Ideas”)
I was confused, thanks for the clarification!
All the products used in Get Comfortable come from market research. We attend as many markets as we possibly can. Cottage Livinghas a fantastic market editor, Jennifer Berno, who is a complete wealth of knowledge when it comes to pretty much anything and everything. She is the go-to-lady. That's not to say that we don't find products in
Can you describe yourself in 3 paint colors, a fabric, and a light fixture?
Paint: Well, as of today…
Obsidian by Pratt & Lambert. I love contrast. This dark brown black creates fantastic contrast. Works well with others. Dramatic yet subtle.
Pigeon by Farrow & Ball. It's one of those unknown colors. Is it green, is it blue, is it gray? You never really know what color it’s going to take on. I like to think I'm unpredictable when it comes to design, although I think my design friends have me pegged.
Fabric: You have no idea how hard this one is for me. I love fabric. All fabric. Fabric for me is the root of all projects. Once you find a fabric you love everything else just falls into place. Currently, I am totally obsessed with Schumacher’sKatsugi.
Light: Another hard one. Again, I love them all…chandys, table lamps, floor lamps, ceiling fixtures, sconces, etc. etc. How about I give you my favorite resources for lighting? Visual Comfort, BoBo, Oly Studio, Currey & Co., Solaria, and Belvedere are just a few.
Do you find it easier or harder designing for magazine spreads v. clientele that are start-to-finish homeowners?
I have had nothing but great experiences with (magazine) homeowners I work with while redesigning a room in their home. They are all thrilled to be a part of the magazine. Start to finish homeowners can be the same way. I think it really depends on the homeowner/client. Honestly, I've enjoyed designing for the magazine more. It's definitely challenging but also more rewarding.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would you be?
Back in
I imagine she might be referencing her very own kitchen renovation which CL shot and will feature in the November/December issue... so keep an eye out later this year - and of course I'll let you know when it hits the newsstands!
Since she's not gonna answer that one... I will: I really liked the article featuring you and your mom working on your living room:
{photos by Robbie Caponetto}
Very happy! Of course everyone has their favorites, but every issue that’s produced is a great accomplishment for everyone on the staff.
{photo by Paul Whicheloe}
Let’s talk about this tablescape in Janet Gregg’s bedroom. When the photographer and your team got to her house… did that space look like that? Do you tweak a little, add the shoes, the scarves etc? Or is that a secret?
There is always a certain degree of styling that goes into the homes features. The stylist on that particular shoot, Matthew Gleason, did add the shoes, but they were Janet's shoes. I also found out (from the producer Steele Marcoux) all the flowers shown throughout the house were done by Janet. I believe we do things differently than other magazines. We love the lifestyle factor. We promote the lifestyle factor. We want the photos to evoke the way the homeowner lives. Janet is such an amazing jewelry designer. Showing off her jewels, along with some fab shoes accompanying her fantastic vignette of white plates is portraying her style. We're there to capture her personal style the best way we can.
What are 2 items in your wardrobe that you would feel lost without?
My Vigoss jeans I bought in
My grandfather's wrist watch. My grandmother gave it to me on my wedding day.
4 designers that you relate to the most?
Thanks Anne Turner!!!
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