Sacred Spaces: Everyday People and the Beautiful Homes Created Out of Their Trials, Healing, and Victories

by Carley Summers

A gorgeous photography collection, featuring home interiors and profiles of the people who have transformed these spaces into sanctuaries, calling you to create your own sacred space

Before she became an internationally renowned designer and photographer, Carley Summers suffered from alcoholism and addiction, spending nights in jail, the emergency room, and rehab. As someone who celebrates recovery today, she knows firsthand the importance of a warm and inviting home. Summers uses her life experience and her craft to ensure that the homes she photographs and designs are comforting, healing spaces to live and grow in.

Sacred Spaces takes readers on a beautifully photographed journey inside fourteen homes, from North Carolina and California to Canada, France, and Morocco, as Summers uncovers the vulnerable stories behind each one: a mother who uses her kitchen to heal her son with food, a woman who found her sanctuary after overcoming childhood abuse, and more. She even offers a tour of her mother’s home and her own. Along the way, each section identifies a type of space that people have created, including

• The Foundational Home, which features those who have created spaces on a solid foundation for a lasting legacy
• The Wandering Home, which highlights people who were lost in life, lost in travels, but never lost in their home
• The Cathartic Home, which showcases people who realize that when they cannot change the outside world, they can change the inside of their homes to bring comfort through renewal and restoration

This collection is a balm for those seeking refuge in a world fraught with struggle and heartache. Through stories of brokenness, hurt, and healing, Sacred Spaces invites readers to dream of the home that will set them free.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Coffee Table Books, Interior Design, Spirituality

304 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Convergent Books for accepting my request to read and review Sacred Spaces.

Author: Carley Summers
Published: 04/18/23
Genre: Home & Garden

Stunning cover caught my eye, and after a quick scan of the cover, as well as thinking about possible images iI might see in the book I ask to read. Okay, this is not a picture book with tips and facts associated with various articles. That's what I wanted and honestly expected.

The book has beautiful pictures and a whole lot more writing. I found this to be a self-help, reflection, overcoming aspects of life through stuff book. This just didn't work for me.

2.5 stars and I rounded up -- the photos are beautiful.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a surprising book as it more so is an inspirational gloss over of people who pass through difficult times and share their arty homes. Some of the dozen stories cite God as their savior in their struggles from loss.the book has several creative shots of beautiful interiors that are restorative to those seeking 'home'.

[Camie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about making your home a safe haven. It explores how our surroundings can affect our souls. I enjoyed it since I am a homebody and the home I have lived in for over 35 years has always been just that for me. A twist on a the usual beautiful coffee table book.

[Lucy Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't quite what I was expecting. While I very much enjoyed the beautiful photography of the interiors, and the varied design styles showcased, the text wasn't what I was looking for. I had gone in thinking there would be quick vignettes about the lives of the inhabitants and perhaps how certain pieces reflected their stories. In actuality, the stories are long, heavy pieces about every hardship faced, with some loose connections to home (more home than particular house). I found myself skimming a lot of the text, especially when religion came in, which was in nearly every story.
Overall, the pictures were very pretty and I wish there were more of them, with less text.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book via Goodreads giveaways.
DNF
Some people might like this book. I’m not one of them.
“Everyday people and the beautiful homes created out of their trials, healing, and victories.”
Basically - the author goes to her most notable acquaintances houses, interviews them, and takes some pics of their stuff. Didn’t hear a lot about trials and healing, did hear about how hard it is to grow up in Greenwich (eyeroll), god, thrifting, traveling, god, idyllic childhood, being blessed with children, whatever. There might be other stuff in there I couldn’t get far into it.
Why should I care? These stories don’t resonate with me and the houses and stuff are just houses and stuff. Ok and ?
It’s not a bad idea, I just didn’t like it.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening this book is like stepping into the intimate stories and spaces of the personalities concerned. No tips on how to decorate your place are explicitly offered here, more on what the homes mean to the people in the book, such as where their "sacred" spots are and how the homes reflect their lives and stories. The photographs are not captioned but they may trigger some inspiration and ideas in house decorating. It was fascinating to see the wide variety of styles. and to me, they are beautiful.

I like reading biographies and love to look at interiors so I found this book interesting. Many of the stories at least lightly touch on their spiritual lives.

4 stars from me.

[Elise Wigginton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with wisdom to help you create a happy and healthy space that speaks to YOU! It's filled with stories that are relatable and beneficial for learning what you need to create a comforting space that feels like home. This book will make you laugh and bring you to tears and help you realize your personal spaces and memories and the things you surround yourself with are sacred. Highly recommend!

[Emily Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves a 10/10!! It is a beautiful piece of art, inspiring not only with the pictures but with the stories that each homeowner tells. I feel so encouraged after reading this is all the ways. A tribute to what home can be for anyone who cares to create one. Beautiful!!!

Some quotes that really struck me:

“I saw how vision and dedication could transform even what seems comically doomed.”

“It’s the power of prayer; it’s the power of hard work, of having a vision for bones being brought to life.”

“Don’t think too deeply, because sometimes it takes you nowhere.”

“The thing about striving is that you have to dream for what is not necessarily there yet. Appreciate what you have, but also be hungry for that thing that isn’t there yet and make it happen.”

“Secrets have a way of turning things bad, corrupting what was essentially good into a negative stream, infecting every aspect of life.”

“You have to be honest with yourself and other people, because if you’re not honest, then your life will take a dark turn.”
“God had a different plan for my life, even though I was fearful. He worked it all out.”
“Your past does not define you, but it defines you.”

“In the world’s standards and according to my past, I should be broken, but instead, I have used my story as a battleground not only to fight for myself, but for others, too. God uses our brokenness to heal others and share hope, and I am so grateful to be part of that good work.”

[Hannah K.]

A beautiful, beautiful book! To be honest, even though this is technically an interior design book, I think it is really an artist’s book… not really for people that like watching home renovation shows. It’s a book about a lot of people who in their souls are artists. Hearing their stories combined with images of their proudest work -their homes- tells you deeply and powerfully about them immediately. I think there’s a lot of reading and feeling in-between the lines to understand how the words and interiors connect, but I loved it. It was an inspiration as an artist to read about so many people who are creatively and personally thriving after many unexpected seasons of life. Loved this book, ate it up!! What amazing photographs!!

[Michelle Collazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful concept and structure. Beautiful photos of lovingly curated homes of real people with real stories. I plan to add this book to my personal collection - maybe make my own version of my home and story. :)

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like the design book I've been looking for. Great photography, real, beautiful homes and captivating stories.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading other people's stories and seeing their spaces and that's what this book shows you. I believe that where you live and how you decorate it can tell so much about you as a person. I loved it!

[Carolyn Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the title, one might think this book was about houses of worship, or small sanctuaries within a home like shrine rooms or home altars, or even rooms for prayer and meditation, but it isn’t. The home in its entirety is treated as a refuge, with examples from the US, the UK, and various other places around the globe. This is a hard book to review as the photos are not really connected to the text, no captions or descriptions, only photos of the interiors of each homeowner’s house. Though the sub-title says “an interior design book,” this is misleading as there really is no interior design commentary - no guidance, tips, or how-tos, or even discussion of each particular aesthetic and what makes these homes noteworthy. Instead the topic of the text is revealed in the extended title, “Everyday People and the Beautiful Homes Created Out of Their Trials, Healing, and Victories.” It consists of interviews with homeowners about their life stories, as well as her own, and how their homes represent their sacred spaces. The home is depicted as a sacred space of creative fulfillment, a pinnacle of individual expression and freedom, representing and showcasing what is meaningful to the occupants. Some of the homeowners have a religious attitude, some don’t, and the words “sacred space” seem to be a stretch, especially for the non-religious ones. Sanctuary might be a better word. The book is filled with beautiful photographs of interiors, each home individual, but filled with art, antiques, and collections in a maximalist, somewhat Old World style, though some displays are more restrained than others. These unique interiors do not look anything like what you see in most current popular, trendy books on design. No modern farmhouse here! No monochromatic neutral modern minimalism either. The houses here look old, especially the international ones, and I don’t think there’s a new house in the bunch. I discovered the author on Instagram and liked her traditional, European influenced style, and thought it interesting that she lived in the same town as one of my son’s, and her mother, whose home is also featured in the book, was from my hometown. Having read some of Carley’s journey on Instagram, I was aware that she had gone through addiction and had recovered through, what was for her, religious redemption. She speaks of her Christian beliefs and her interview questions reflect her attitudes. For her, home is a place of safety, tranquility, redemption, and freedom, and she asks her subjects how their homes represent and serve these qualities. Most of the text, however, focuses on their personal stories, their trials and victories. There is a lot of personal trauma in this book. (For a couple of the homeowners featured this included being stigmatized for being gay, so for those who might be concerned that the author’s Christianity might be anti-gay, this is not the case.) Summers is definitely drawn to stories of childhood trauma, neglect, and abuse, or at least surviving and thriving after difficult circumstances, and some readers might not care to read about personal trauma in their design books. I felt the book relied too heavily on this struggle and redemption theme. Some of the people featured speak in Christian heavy lingo, which may put off some readers, while others don’t mention religion at all. It’s not the usual fare of an interior design book. The tone is conversational, chatty, and colloquial, and some of the answers to her questions (she asked everyone the same questions) were repetitive, giving basically the same answer to different questions. The homes represented were all individual and artistic and the photographs give the book a sumptuous quality, but this is a niche book for people who are drawn to photographs of a European maximalist style and like reading personal stories of hardship, trauma, and redemption.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have come to learn the value of having a sacred space. This space is your safe place, your haven, your outpouring of you. The story that makes up you. We all have a story to tell and the outward expression is no less powerful than the words shared. Carley Summers captures this beautifully in Sacred Spaces.
I loved reading the stories of overcoming, healing, and growing. Finding life and creativity in a place to retreat to and be your authentic self. Carley shares her own story and introduces us to friends she has met among her journey. All of them have a story to share as well as a visual representation of their victories. Come for the beautifully stunning interior designs and stay for the heart warming, motivating stories of healing and triumph.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Stefanni Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photography. The stories are a mixed bag. I felt that this was the author’s personal journey of redemption. I think at this point in my life, there were just too many “I prayed and God did this for me” stories. This book was not what I expected, but might be a delight for others. The one story in the book that I did love was that of Mark Brokenshire, a gay man who studied to be a monk in his youth. He has the best quote in the book from a fellow monk—“Facts are friendly”. Live your truth!

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photography was beautiful, and I loved the personality that showed in each home. That being said, I think describing it as a photography collection is rather misleading, as it is mostly text. The book would have benefitted from either more photos, or a more accurate blurb. The individual stories were mostly interesting, but occasionally felt long winded. Overall, I felt rather neutral - I would get into it after reading a bit, but didn’t feel the urge to pick it up every day.

[Ruby Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this book! Full of gorgeous photos of healing home interiors, as well as interviews and background information on the families who transformed their homes into sanctuaries. Highly recommended for those who get inspired by beautiful homes and intriguing stories. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Emily Vander Ark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read another interior design book like this one. The stories of each home and it's residents are shared with vulnerability and respect. Neither the photos nor the stories are secondary to the other. A pleasure!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring stories and photographs.

[Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an unusual book. At first glance I thought it was an architectural book about people's homes, probably rich celebrities who live in a different world than most of us. But the word "sacred" in the title didn't fit that preconception.

There are photographs of homes in here and they are not the homes of poor people. But neither are they homes of celebrities or anyone I heard of before. These are the homes of people who have survived trauma and tragedies; abuse and assault, toxic environments and discrimination.

One person says; "I used to cry in my closet when I was little. And still to this day, I will go and collapse on my closet floor. It's therapeutic and comforting for me." To that Carley Summers, the author, replies, "That's the point of this book. I want people's chains to fall off when looking at spectacular homes created by everyday people who have gone through things you would never expect" ( pages 138-142).

There are more than a dozen homes in this book, from half a dozen countries. The author is interested in what makes homes a sacred space, a place for healing and restoration. The owners of these homes tell their stories of what they suffered, and the road they took to recover, and how their homes are places of hope and inspiration; how the design of their homes offer safety, peace, and even redemption.

There are scores of color photographs in this book. Most are interior shots, which is not surprising considering the subject matter. Some of the images seem a bit cluttered; too full of a variety of objects to have a particular focus, but they undoubtedly have value to the owners.

Much of the text is in an interview format, and the questions the author asked these people are: "What does freedom mean in the setting of your home?" "Where is the sacred space in your home, the place you find the most peace?" "How are your trials and victories represented in your home?" and others.

There are references to being " Christian" and to "God" so the Christian preferences of the author and some of the people interviewed are obvious, but does not overwhelm the book. This book grew on me and I left it liking it better than when I first started reading it. It's important for our homes to be safe and healthy healing environments for all family members. This book provides some guidance toward such a goal, but the wealth and support systems needed to follow the path of these home owners are probably out of reach for most people.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to love about this interior design book that focuses on the stories behind the homeowners and on their spirituality. I loved the diversity of the homes and their occupants. They live all over the world and have all kinds of styles. They are gay, straight, old, young and from all kinds of occupations (though many work with interiors like rugs and design, naturally) and all kinds of nationalities.

Each home features an assortment of photos and an interview where the homeowner talks about his or her past, their favorite room, lessons they’d share with others, etc. There is a focus on religion for all of them, but especially so in a handful of them. Carley talks a great deal about feeling saved by God and the best place being “on your face” on the floor in prayer. I think non-religious folks will still get a lot out of the book though. While some chapters are heavily Christian, the overall theme of the book is how to make your home a sacred, special, personal space that reflects where you come from and what you love. There is a big focus on overcoming tragedy and troubled pasts to find redemption and peace.

I loved the diversity in the styles of homes especially. The author got to fly all over the world to interview these people and photograph their homes, and it’s refreshing to see such different homes. Not one of them looked like the stereotypical interior design magazine spread or generic American subdivision home. They are decidedly international, interesting, quirky, artistic and unusual.

A few small complaints— Carley frequently references finding these people and their homes online but she gives no way of finding them like Instagram pages. I found more than half on IG myself to follow them but I couldn’t find even some that she says she fell in love with online. Since the interviews reference things like pouring their hearts into redoing a room and not getting likes and the homeowners running related businesses, it seems that these people would appreciate having their websites and Instagram pages shared.

I also wish the photos were a little bigger and more prominent. It felt almost like the interviews were the focus and I was more interested in the homes.

All in all, though, this was an interesting and inspiring read that I highly enjoyed.

I read a digital copy of this book for review.

[Ioana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a very interesting exploration of the idea of home, going through the homes and life stories of some intriguing people.

The whole work has a very specific vibe, despite the uniqueness of each home they all have certain similarities: the interiors featured here are all maximalist, all feature a lot of old objects, and a lot of the people featured here are - if not into antiques, at least into giving new life to old finds.

A thing that contributes to the unity of the book is perhaps the same interview - each home owner answers the same questions. They all have gone through hard times, difficult periods and they all have come to a place where they own a home that each one has decorated, it seems most of the people are part of the interior design world.

It was interesting seeing these interiors, being inspired by the objects people had in their homes and how it reflected their life stories. It was also intriguing to have such a view into different peoples' lives, all stories that went into big emotional depths and the featured home owners shown a lot of vulnerability in shining a light onto them. I, specifically, liked that they all end in a positive way, and the people present in these pages have words of encouragement and advice for the readers.

The very specific vibe of this book is also expressed by the Christian atmosphere it goes into. Many of the people featured, including the author and her mother (also featured), mention a lot their faith and their practices. The book is dedicated to sacred spaces, but it only features people of Christian faiths, and other people who don't specifically talk about their religion. So it's not that much a view into very distinct sacred spaces, but into sacred spaces that happen to lean more into the Christian world.

All in all, this was a nice and inspiring read, but only up to a certain degree. However, I think anyone who dreams of big homes filled with whimsical and antiqued finds will appreciate this book greatly.

[Linda Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sacred Spaces by Carley Summers combines inspiring storytelling with photos of beautifully decorated homes. Some of the major themes start with not being afraid to take risks. Find joy in your space. A perfect house is not the goal but a place where you can feel perfect. Everyone has a story and their path to the present. Life, indeed is a journey. “Beauty alone didn't make it a home. Because you can have the most beautiful home in the world, but if it's not filled with love, what is there?”

“Surround yourself with people who believe in you. I call it “social gardening." Weed out those people who are not good, especially now with Instagram and social media. And keep the friends who build you up.”

This book reinforces the importance of making your space a reflection of who you are. The photos and personal stories were inspiring, and I struggled to pick a home design that I thought was the best. This book was inspirational, and for a home decorating book, that is high praise indeed. I will buy it when published on April 2023.
🛋️

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, Convergent Books, and the author for the opportunity to read this book. @netgalley #sacredspaces #interiors @convergentbooks #convergentbooks @carleysummers

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read Sacred Spaces by Carley Summers. I moved into my new home a few years ago, but it's still not finished (I had several things go wrong when I first moved in that prevented me from decorating). When it was time to decorate, I was demoralized to do anything. My hope for Sacred Spaces would be to inspire and motivate me.

The pictures are beautiful, and the stories are heartwarming, with contributors sharing their trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Eddie's decor, the white with black marble, was pristine and crisp. The blue bathroom sink in Page's home was beautiful. The stories and contributors are from the United States to France, Guatemala (the outside space was so pretty), to Canada and Morocco. The stories included are about dealing with trauma or hitting rock bottom and persevering and being able to find hope and healing.

What was especially helpful in thinking of my own space was the question the author posed to her interviewees, "How are your trials and victories represented in your home?" The questions helped me take stock and decide what type of home I would like to create for myself and what I want it to say to others.

#SacredSpaces #NetGalley @CrownPublishing

[Sgbowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presents a visually stunning collection of interior photography showcasing a diverse array of design styles. The images captivate with their beauty, offering glimpses into the intricacies of various living spaces. However, while the photography exceeds expectations, the accompanying text leaves something to be desired.
Initially anticipating brief vignettes delving into the inhabitants' lives and how their homes reflected their stories, I found myself confronted with lengthy, weighty narratives focusing more on hardships than on the homes themselves. While some connections to home were present, the emphasis on personal struggles overshadowed the exploration of the spaces.
One particular challenge was the frequent inclusion of religious themes, which permeated nearly every story and led to moments of disengagement. As a result, I often skimmed through text sections, yearning for more focus on the visual elements that initially drew me to the book.
In summary, while the photographs are undeniably captivating, I wished for a greater abundance of them and less emphasis on lengthy textual narratives. A more balanced approach, with shorter, more focused stories and an increased emphasis on visual storytelling, would have enhanced the overall experience of this book.

[Dione Hanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures of beautiful homes and people.
Each home the book visits includes beautiful pictures. The homes are all over the world - England, USA, Guatemala, Canada, France, etc. The pictures also show the owners of the home both inside and out. These homes are lived in by couples, families, dogs, cats, pigs, and chicken. The homes range from very full and lived in to almost museum like. The art in these homes is fantastic.
The author starts by telling you why the home or owner is in the book.. Then the homeowner tell their story of their life and how they ended up in their home. Then the author interviews the owners with a group of questions that are interesting. What is the sacred place in your home? Where in your home do you feel connected to nature? How are your trials and victories represented in your home? Where do you find peace in your home? And many more questions.

[kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

biographical essays meets interior design

i get why this book wouldn’t work for some people, but i really enjoyed it. first, i liked that there was a range of design styles represented instead of the usual repetition found in these books. second, i do really enjoy biographies and essays about people’s lives, so i liked that coupling. i actually read all the text in a book about interior design, which is rare for me!

i will agree with others that those included in the book aren’t necessarily ‘everyday people,’ but i still found their stories interesting and even somewhat relatable at times. regardless, i liked looking through their homes. i will also agree that there was a heavy mention of God in a lot of the stories, which did get to be a bit much, but if that’s the way these experiences were cultivated, then hey.

overall, i was surprised by the content and really intrigued and entertained and inspired, so it was a W for me.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sacred Spaces
3 Stars

The striking cover caught my attention. During the quarantine, I got rid of a lot of clutter. We threw out or donated 20 plus bags of random stuff. I was hoping for pictures, visuals, inspiring images, or suggestions on how to light up a space. That didn't happen. This is not a picture book with tips and tricks, like I wanted. It is more like an educational manual for a hobby decorator. So, this was a less enjoyable read for me and it took awhile to get through. I personally don't want to stress over perfect decor (and this book stressed me out). I want comfortable family living spaces.

I was completely overwhelmed by pages of text. If anything, I found this book had too much information, making it not too beginner-friendly. Thank you, NetGalley and Convergent Books' for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sacred Spaces" is beautiful .There are rich photos of homes from the inside to the outside. It is a very different book. Sixteen people are interviewed. The interviews are a weaving of why their home is there castle. Each person is telling their story from a different location.. One true story will make an artist excited. The home is in Arles. When I see that name, I can only think of Vincent Van Gogh. My eyes grow wider as I relive his life through another person's thoughts. The book is also is about how a trial or struggle brought them to the place where they are today.. It is a book of sharing. Through seeing inside their homes and r hearing about their pain and victories, you can begin to feel and remember serendipitous moments at your address.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit that I was expecting Sacred Spaces to be more of a design book filled with glorious home photos. It is that, but so much more.

Carley Summers travels to several locales both within the United States and abroad not only to photograph homes, but more importantly to hear each homeowner's story and why their present-day home is now their sacred space. Like Summers, these homeowners have dealt with difficult circumstances and have found peace in their lives, which is reflected in their homes -- testaments to how far they have traveled and how much they have overcome throughout their lives.

A beautifully written book filled with stunning photos and inspiring stories. Thank you to #NetGalley and Convergent Books for this ARC of #SacredSpaces.