Athena Calderone Dropped a New Crate & Barrel Collab, & It’s Full of Gorgeous Vintage-Inspired Furniture & Decor
Athena Calderone’s first collaboration with Crate & Barrel in 2022 launched several stylish bestsellers, including the Rodin Bench and the Tuco Chair, among others. Now, the designer, author, and entertaining expert is partnering with the popular home decor retailer on another line to make a little more design magic, casting hero products in new colorways and materials, expanding her most popular offerings with coordinating items, and introducing a range of brand-new pieces with her characteristic vintage-inspired, sophisticated aesthetic.
The inspiration for this assortment came to Calderone from a couple of different sources — her new-to-her Tribeca home and 1930s Art Deco and European design, which she’s leaning into as she renovates her new spaces. She was particularly drawn to the work of the Viennese Secessionists as well as French designer Jean-Michel Frank, and you can see some of that characteristic linear geometry in the pyramid shapes and triangular forms that run throughout the collection.
Many of these silhouettes skew a little sharper than the playful wiggles and gentle curves of the first assortment, but Calderone chose materials that bring in a lush softness to balance that all out. You’ll find ethereal alabaster lamps, upholstery in faux shearling, and beautiful chocolate burl wood that’s richer than other versions you may have seen before.
But these 40 new pieces, which range across the categories of furniture, decor, lighting, artwork, and rugs, still jibe with the last collection. Calderone believes home design is a process that’s never truly finished, so she wanted these pieces to reflect where her aesthetic is going but also mesh with where it’s been.
“You want your home to be a reflection of your personality,” says Calderone. “Take those design risks and allow it to be a nod to where you’ve been and where you’re going.”
The lighting in particular feels like a standout, and in an interview about the launch, Calderone told me she was especially excited about them as well. But if you are looking for a quick fix in a smaller space or a rental, the Sacré Black Metal Wall Sconce Taper Candle Holder is your best bet.
Not only is this wall candleholder under $50, it’s super-slim, sinuous shape means you can mount it just about anywhere — think beside a statement piece of artwork in an entryway, flanking a mirror over a fireplace, or even just in a powder room for a touch of moody ambience. There’s no need for messy wires either. Pair it with a very long taper for extra drama, and switch up the color of your candle whenever you need a refresh. Trust me: This cast-iron piece can go with pretty much any style of home, and it’ll be the finishing touch you never knew you needed.
Prices for the collection start at $39.95 and go up to the thousands for sofas and large pieces of furniture. Items are shoppable in Crate & Barrel stores as well as online today.