I just watched this tour of the 2008 Designer Visions House Beautiful apartment in Manhattan that was designed by Susan Ferrier. Ferrier transformed this glass tower box into a tranquil living space, which is somewhat of a signature of her designs. She achieved this calming look by restricting the color palette, repeating yet limiting bold gestures such as large scaled furniture and mirrors, and adding a few unexpected touches like large animal statues to give the space some life. Here are a few important tips from Susan:
SUSAN FERRIER’S TIPS FOR TRANQUIL LIVING:
- Unify the space by having a common rhythm or coloration throughout your home e.g. repetition of fabric, textures, mirrors, and the gray-blue-green color scheme seen in this home.
- To create a calm space you have to be disciplined and limit the choices you make.
- Use big pieces in small rooms because it helps to calm the space. Ferrier believes that lots of small items in a small space creates a nervous atmosphere.
- Accessories should relate to each other so it looks less cluttered.
- Live with fewer, better things.
- Do not have all of your furniture up on legs otherwise it looks like there are a lot of people running around. Ground certain pieces, like a skirted wingback chair or solid piece of wood that is used as a stool.
- Use floor to ceiling drapery to add to the architecture and help delineate the space.

Susan Ferrier demonstrates her tranquil living approach in this townhouse that she designed for her clients, Ted and Donna Giles, in Alabama. You will notice the soft color palette of cream, bronze, brown, and grey, selected large-scale furniture, grounded pieces (particularly the wooden blocks used as coffee tables), and the accessories that relate to each other in proportion and theme.

Image credits: House Beautiful


















11 responses so far ↓
1 please sir : Nov 17, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Love all these tips – they ring so true!
2 Chelsea : Nov 18, 2008 at 3:56 pm
“- To create a calm space you have to be disciplined and limit the choices you make.”
So true. Great advice
3 Jude : Nov 18, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Amazing spaces, and her Tips for Tranquil Living are so dead on. I have such an itch to start redecorating right now, but for many reasons it’s just not the right time.
Hope you are good! I’ve been so swamped lately and have missed visiting here, but hope to catch up soon.
4 dolce chic : Nov 18, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Thank you for sharing this with us. At times I get so frustrated trying to unify my items together….I love these tips, and beautiful images!
5 Tranquil living with Susan Ferrier | All About Fashion Blog : Nov 19, 2008 at 12:07 am
[...] Original post: Tranquil living with Susan Ferrier [...]
6 Paloma : Nov 19, 2008 at 1:04 pm
So beautiful and soothing.
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