Mary Randolph Carter celebrates how to truly live in your home in her latest book, “Live With the Things You Love: And You’ll Live Happily Ever After.”. Known for her love of vintage treasures and storied objects, the author affectionately known as “Carter” invites readers to abandon cookie-cutter minimalism and lean into the charm of personal, collected spaces. Her message is simple: when you fill your home with things that hold meaning, you create a space that brings joy every single day.
At its core, the book is about embracing imperfection, honoring memory and trusting your instincts. Carter believes that beauty isn’t about perfection — it’s about the stories behind the items we hold onto. Whether it’s a chipped vase from your grandmother’s house or a quirky flea market find, these objects aren’t clutter — they’re chapters of your life. Joan Osofsky’s home perfectly displays this philosophy at left with this dresser surrounded by collections of black and yellow patterned trays on the wall. Carter fills the book with her signature encouragement and practical wisdom, helping readers feel confident in creating spaces that reflect authenticity.
The book offers a delightful peek inside creative homes. These spaces belong to people who live by Carter’s philosophy. Notable subjects in the book include Joan Osofsky, the founder of lifestyle store Hammertown Barn, as well as famed interior designer and author Mary Emmerling. Emmerling’s chic denim couches, seen above, are in her Hamptons cottage. She’s published over 35 books, a magazine, and a store. She’s also designed many homes that reflect her famous style.
When you fill your home with things that hold meaning, you create a space that brings joy every single day.
From artists to antique dealers, each home tells a unique story — layered, personal and full of soul. Osofsky’s welcoming family room, shown below, displays this storytelling style clearly. Through beautiful photography her son Carter Berg created and her own thoughtful storytelling, Carter shows us that living with the things you love isn’t just a style — it’s a way of life.
Mary Randolph Carter’s Philosophy for Styling Collectables
Carter shares her approach to styling collectibles with heart and intuition. She encourages readers not to overthink their décor, but instead to display items that hold personal meaning regardless of whether they match or follow traditional design rules. Carter’s philosophy centers on the idea that a home should reflect the people who live in it. She offers practical tips for grouping and arranging objects — such as vintage books, pottery, photographs and keepsakes — in ways that feel natural, personal and lived-in. Her style embraces imperfection and storytelling over symmetry and polish.
Pictured below at left is a wall in her in her home in New York City for over five decades, featuring a gallery wall of paintings. Also in this picture is Bardot, her vintage French elephant who she brought with her to the book signing at Creme de la Creme (below right). “[He] oversees a vignette of loved things in our living room,” she told us.
In her new book, Carter reflects on a lifetime spent collecting objects that speak to her heart. Raised in a large family in Richmond, Virginia, Carter developed an early appreciation for the beauty of imperfection and the stories behind everyday things. Her relationship with collectibles is deeply personal — each item, whether a worn book, chipped teacup or flea market find, carries a memory or a sense of connection.
“Growing up, we eventually lived in a 17th century house in Whitestone, which my family restored after another fire,” she told us. “But living in that house was very eclectic. We had beautiful English and American antiques. But then my mother just had this ability to bring something else in that other people would think was junk, but it appealed to her…it was definitely a mix of things, but it always was not about what the way the house looked, but how it felt. It was always about feeling and making people feel comfortable.” Below, the living room at her home in upstate New York reflects this philosophy of personality in her collections.
When we asked about advice she had to give to collectors, Carter’s response was simple and meaningful, just like her philosophy. “Just believe in yourself,” she said. “Believe in what you love. My books have always been to try to give people permission to fall in love with the wackiest thing. Don’t think too much about provenance. If it speaks to you, and it tells your story, then fall in love with it. That’s the best advice that I could give.”
Throughout her career as a writer and longtime creative director at Ralph Lauren, she has embraced what she calls the “art of junk,” finding meaning and style in the items others might overlook. Her passion for antiques and personal items is mirrored by Lauren himself. “I walked into his first office at 40 West 55th, and it was just filled with stuff,” she told us when asked about their first meeting. “His desk was filled with toy cars, paintings from his children. I felt right at home.”
“Believe in what you love…If it speaks to you, and it tells your story, then fall in love with it. That’s the best advice that I could give.”
Carter’s home in New York City, as pictured below, features artfully arranged wooden objects, idols, even LED candles set in antique sconces. For Carter, these objects are not clutter — they are markers of a life fully lived, and she encourages readers to see their own collections the same way.
Carter’s Work to Share Iconic Designer Ralph Lauren’s Stories and Love for Vintage
Carter has played a key role on Ralph Lauren’s creative team for over 35 years, shaping the brand’s iconic visual storytelling. As Senior Vice President of Advertising and Creative Director, Carter has played a pivotal role in crafting the brand’s image, ensuring each campaign feels authentic and emotionally resonant. Her love for vintage aesthetics and belief in the beauty of imperfection have helped infuse Ralph Lauren’s marketing with warmth and a sense of lived-in charm that feels both timeless and personal.
Author Paul L. Underwood in RL MAG writes, “I like things that are worn,” Ralph has said, a sentiment that applies to both his personal style and design philosophy. “I have old plaid and denim shirts full of holes and tears. They’ve been patched and mended; they’re falling apart, but I’m not throwing them away. Every time I wear one, I love the way it feels.” He went on to compare the way these clothes feel to driving an old pickup truck. “It’s a little dented and the paint’s a little faded, but that patina is evidence of a history of work and a kind of honesty, which to me is very American,” he said.
“I like things that are worn…I have old plaid and denim shirts full of holes and tears. They’ve been patched and mended; they’re falling apart, but I’m not throwing them away. Every time I wear one, I love the way it feels.”
As Editor and Creative Director, Carter worked closely with Lauren to create the landmark book about the designer’s celebrated life and work titled “Ralph Lauren” by Ralph Lauren in 2011. Admirers of the iconic designer and Carter both, can now enjoy a second stunning volume published more recently in 2023 titled “Ralph Lauren: A Way of Living” on which Carter worked on as Creative Director and Writer. The 500+ page book features the stunning and deeply personal homes of Lauren and his family. Lauren notes in both volumes that he is extremely grateful to Carter for her contribution and devotion to the books.
Beyond their professional collaboration, Carter and Lauren share an enduring friendship that has shaped their creative journeys. Over the years, their relationship has grown from mutual respect for design to a genuine personal connection. Carter often speaks of Lauren with admiration, praising his ability to blend tradition with innovation in ways that feel both timeless and personal. Lauren, in turn, has expressed his gratitude for Carter’s influence, calling her “a true partner” who understands the heart of his vision. They share a passion for collecting and curating, and their shared experiences have deepened their bond. It is this friendship — rooted in a love for beauty, storytelling, and authenticity — that has played a central role in their successful creative partnership.
In “Live With the Things You Love”, Carter reflects on her long career with Ralph Lauren, noting how their shared design philosophies and love of vintage have shaped their work together. She highlights the importance of creating spaces that feel personal and authentic — something that aligns perfectly with the Ralph Lauren vision of blending timeless elegance with individuality. Carter’s approach to design, which celebrates the stories behind treasured objects, mirrors the brand’s commitment to telling rich, meaningful narratives through every product and space.
“I worked for 37 years with him on advertising. I’ve done so many things,” Carter said “Now I work with him on his women’s collection from a conceptual angle, more about the storytelling, because he writes through his clothes.” Their partnership speaks volumes about their mutual respect and shared creative vision. Together, they’ve championed a design philosophy that values history, character, and storytelling, not just in fashion, but in the way we curate our homes and lives.
Crème de la Crème Celebrates 25 Years and Hosts Book Signing
On April 5, 2025, Crème de la Crème in Middleburg, Virginia celebrated its 25th anniversary by hosting a book signing event for Carter and “Live With the Things You Love”. This special occasion not only marked a significant milestone for the boutique but also provided an opportunity for patrons to engage with the author.
Crème de la Crème, a boutique renowned for its curated selection of unique home goods inspired by French and Italian living, provided an intimate setting for Carter to connect with her readers. We had the opportunity to meet the author and explore her insights on creating personalized, meaningful living spaces.
The store also featured a curated display of Carter’s favorite items, including a large ceramic cicada, wildlife-themed tableware and clay guinea hens, enhancing the event’s thematic focus, accompanied of course by Bardot the vintage French elephant. Below at top left, Carter posed with store co-owner Tara Wedgdam.
Above at bottom left, Carter (far right) poses with her sister Cary Carter Turpin (far left) who created the watercolor illustrations in the book and Carter’s son Carter Berg (middle), a New York-based photographer recognized for his candid and emotive photography. He frequently collaborates with his mother, capturing the images for her books, including “Live With the Things You Love”.
His photography adds a visual layer to her written work, helping readers gain a deeper appreciation for the spaces she portrays. In “Live With the Things You Love“, Berg’s photos emphasize the beauty of personal items and lived-in environments, perfectly complementing his mother’s design philosophy. Their combined creative vision brings the book to life, merging words and images to celebrate the art of living with meaningful possessions.
Where to Find Mary Randolph Carter and Ralph Lauren Books
Mary Randolph Carter is an author, photographer and avid collector. She is the author of “The Joy of Junk” (2018), “For the Love of Old” (2016), “Never Stop to Think Do I Have a Place for This” (2014), “A Perfectly Kept House Is the Sign of a Misspent Life” (2010), “Big City Junk”(2001), “Kitchen Junk”(1999), “Junk Garden” (1997), “American Junk” (1994), and the book that brought her and Ralph Lauren together “American Family Style” (1988).
Local Virginia readers can find “Live With the Things You Love” at the Crème de la Crème shops in Middleburg, Richmond, Alexandria, and Leesburg, as well as their shop in Frederick, Maryland. Alternatively, the book is also available on Amazon.
Admirers of Carter’s work will also enjoy her newest collaboration with Ralph Lauren as creative director and writer in the creation of “Ralph Lauren: A Way of Living”. The large 500+ page book is a comprehensive exploration of the designer’s personal residences and his design philosophy. The beautifully curated book offers an intimate look into various properties, including a sprawling Colorado ranch, a Jamaican island retreat, a Fifth Avenue penthouse overlooking Central Park, a Montauk seaside home, a Bedford country estate and others. For those interested in exploring Lauren’s visually stunning journey, you will not be disappointed in “Ralph Lauren: A Way of Living” is available for purchase on Amazon.
“Live With the Things You Love” is more than just a design book — it’s a celebration of the objects that define our lives and the personal stories they tell. Through her thoughtful writing and the evocative photography, Carter shows readers how to embrace the beauty of imperfection and create spaces that are truly their own. Whether you’re an avid collector or someone looking to add more meaning to your home, this book offers inspiration to surround yourself with things that bring joy and reflect your personality. For anyone looking to create a home filled with warmth and character, “Live With the Things You Love” is both inspirational and a beautiful addition to the home. ~
R. L. JOHNSON is our co-publisher and creative director, Robin Johnson Bethke, who began her career as a professional photographer in Los Angeles before moving into graphic design and art direction when she relocated to Charlottesville in 1994. As our company’s co-founder and visionary, she enjoys all aspects of the publishing process from story conception to graphic design to photography. Her work is often seen in many of our publications.
