The Calm Living Book
My first book, Calm Living, is a guide to making simple design changes to feel more inspired, clear, and energetic.
The book is rooted in design thinking and the content inspired by my many years of experience as a designer. After graduating from the Stanford design school, I became a design consultant for Fortune 500 companies, and built centers for innovation and creativity around the world. I’ve studied how different environments, cultures, norms, and rituals foster deliberation and calm. My conclusion is that there is no single aesthetic of calm, but there are underlying principles that can empower anyone to create spaces that bring out the best in themselves and others.
In this book, I introduce you to these foundational principles of designing a calm space—whether it’s a small apartment, an office, or a large house. My goal is to help you create spaces that offer peace and clarity (even amid chaos), enable your mind to flow, and give you room to learn and grow effortlessly. It isn’t about sparse white rooms where everything is in its place; it is about filling your space with intention. Calm is not static.
Calm Living distills these principles in a practical and inspiring guide that offers easy-to-follow tips and exercises. I reveal how to use light, color, sound, furniture, and more to make simple, intentional changes for a profound impact on your mind, body, and spirit. It’s a lovely self-purchase or gift for creatives, design enthusiasts, at-home workers, and anyone looking for simple, proven ways to design a soothing space.
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“In today’s world of hybrid work, it’s great to have a guide like this book to help us intentionally design our spaces to support the way we work and live best.”
— Kathy Oneto, Host of The Sustainable Ambition Podcast
“Trusova did a great job of dealing with the importance of space in our lives. The case studies of her unique experiences were especially effective.”
— Dr. Bernard Roth, Professor at Stanford University, Author of The Achievement Habit
“This book really helps with making design projects feel approachable and exciting, and I love the reminder that even a small thing—like a blanket or a pillow—can make a big difference.”
— Olga Zilberbourg, Author of Like Water and Other Stories
“Trusova brilliantly shows how simple design changes can transform your personal or professional space so you'll think more clearly, feel calmer, and be more creative.”
— Connie Baher, Author of The New Longevity
“This is a beautiful book with tips and tricks for re-imaging your workspace. Great if you feel like you want to make a change, but you are not sure where to start.”
— Jennie Byrne, MD, PhD, Author of Work Smarter
“Calm Living is a treasure trove of inspiring and useful stories about human-centered design, interior design, and living with intention. I'm excited to experiment with some of its ideas in my own home office.”
— Maryanna Rogers, PhD, Lecturer at Hasso Plattner Institute of Design