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#64 The Kitchen That Changed the Game | Athena Calderone (EyeSwoon) - Unpacking Iconic Homes
04 June 2026

#64 The Kitchen That Changed the Game | Athena Calderone (EyeSwoon) - Unpacking Iconic Homes

Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

About

In this episode of Unpacking Iconic Homes, we explore the home and design philosophy of Athena Calderone, founder of EyeSwoon and one of the most influential voices behind the rise of organic luxury interiors.

If you've ever admired a kitchen filled with richly veined marble, open shelving, vintage bar stools, artisan ceramics, oversized clay pots full of gigantic branches, and a luxuriously lived-in feel, there's a good chance Athena Calderone had something to do with it.

We unpack the kitchen that helped redefine modern interiors and explore how her approach to beauty, texture and restraint influenced an entire generation of homeowners.

What we cover:

     How Athena Calderone helped popularise the organic luxury aesthetic  Why her Brooklyn kitchen became one of the most copied spaces on Instagram  The rise of travertine, limewash and natural materials  Layering vintage and contemporary pieces without creating clutter  Athena's bold, contrasting colour combinations The art of styling shelves, surfaces and open spaces  Organic minimalism versus cold minimalism  How to recreate the EyeSwoon look on a realistic budget 

Design details & products mentioned

     Limewash walls and textured finishes  Travertine and boldly veined marble  Vintage wooden stools and antique furniture  Artisan ceramics and stoneware  Steel-and-glass window walls  Apparatus horsehair light fixtures  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint 

Key takeaways

     Stay true to the original character of your home Mix antique pieces with new Texture, texture, texture Imperfection creates warmth and authenticity  Organic luxury is more about atmosphere than expensive products 

This episode is a practical guide to one of the most influential interior styles of the last decade - and how to borrow the principles without needing a Brooklyn townhouse or a marble budget.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines