What does Santa Fe style mean for a twenty-something starting his career here? In a town where the average age is mid-forties and the median sold home price around half a million, it’s not always easy. Cullen Curtiss talks with Zane Anderson, a recent young arrival who is finding his groove and embracing Santa Fe, old and new, in a conscientious and artful way.
Styling a Santa Fe Home as a Newcomer
Zane Anderson is one of those remarkable people who exudes an effortless, natural style, even on a work-from-home day. Perched behind his laptop at a handcrafted Javillo-wood kitchen table, this manager at a major Santa Fe hotel wears a turquoise handkerchief and jeans like a second skin. A predictable pair of boots rests by the front door of his stylish solo habitat, an 800-square-foot contemporary casita in Lamy. It was designed by Zane’s sister (photographer Ashley Hafstead) and her husband with impeccable Southwestern grace and functional charm.
With pride, Zane points out the floating kitchen shelves and island countertop whose stylish appearance surprises with practical display and also storage features. His bathroom vanity also floats, and the open shower makes you think — why ever design one with a door or walls? The compact dishwasher is an utterly smart choice for a single occupancy home. The simple wooden bench behind the couch says casual Western living, but it’s remarkably convenient for putting on your shoes before stepping out into the acreage that surrounds the casita.
Other admirable features include Zane’s white-and-gold dresser which doubles as a bar-top, the kiva fireplace all ready for flame, and also the floor-to-ceiling curtains in his bedroom which draw your eye upward, giving the room a larger, more spacious feel.
Big Personality in a Small Home
On his way to this ideal single person’s home, Zane graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University, all while working full time at hotels in two major tourist towns — Charleston and Asheville — with big style personas.
“While in Charleston, I mirrored the bright and preppy coastal aesthetic. My favorite store was the family-owned M. Dumas & Sons, the epitome of ‘Come to us and we’ll get you all set up in your low country gear.’”
And in Asheville, Zane absorbed the blacks, grays, beiges, and navies, inspired by Appalachia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. He says, “There are generations of hardworking Appalachian mountain folk who don’t care about labels. And yet there was an aesthetic.”
A Deeper Connection to Santa Fe Style
But his original style roots look and feel more like Santa Fe, cultivated at a young age in Palm City Farms, Florida, where his family raised cows and horses. “We were in the middle of nowhere, had an ag program at my high school, and I was a blue jeans, cowboy boots, button-up jean or flannel shirt guy!” No wonder he was drawn to Santa Fe and the panorama just out his casita window — a vast, high-elevation piñon-juniper landscape, unfettered by other structures and dominated by the Sangres.
“After three years here, I’ve immersed myself in the style — very earthy, artistic, and deeply connected to its environment. You see it in the adobe architecture, the warm-toned palettes, and the handcrafted details, like wooden beams and the textured rugs. The major influence is, of course, the Native people who lived here first and then the Spanish.”
He continues, “It feels rooted in tradition, while also welcoming of contemporary adaptations. It prioritizes authenticity and connects to place.”
Making a Positive Impact
Zane’s professional role at the hotel requires that he understand the power of place, but it’s also quite meaningful for him personally. When he adds his 20-year-old bear claw bolo tie, accented with a bit of turquoise, to his “Johnny Cash, Man in Black look” or dons the turquoise ring he purchased from the Native American artisans at the Palace of the Governors on his first visit to Santa Fe, Zane says he’s celebrating this place.
“As a young person coming to a new place that is rooted in so much history — some nice, some not so nice — it’s a delicate balance. I pay homage to the people who originated the styles and deeply respect their culture and heritage.”
Reflecting more, Zane says creating a look, whether in his home or through his wardrobe, is an expression of his identity, and readily admits this process is his love language. As far as his muse goes, Zane says, “Santa Fe knocks it out of the park.”
Zane’s Santa Fe Hangout Recommendations
“Younger people are finding this beautiful, unique city and realizing there’s a sense of freedom here and a strong creative community with so much access to nature. It also has amazing restaurants, bars, libraries, bookstores, movie theaters, and museums. My friends and I hang out, go grab a cocktail, or have a nice dinner and go see a movie. I love that everything closes early, so I can get home, wash my face, maybe pour myself a glass of wine or make a fire, and be in bed by 10 o’clock so I am refreshed for the next day. Here are some of my favorite things to do!”
Destinations
“I really like Collected Works because it’s not only a bookstore, but also a cafe, and I love a good artisan coffee. There’s a good mix of people, you can really move around, and it’s in the heart of the city.” Violet Crown is another favorite with the “giant railroad car suspended from the ceiling, an immaculately clean theater, comfortable seats, and a great selection of spirits, wine, and food. The pizza is fantastic!” For shopping, he heads to the Portal outside the Place of the Governors. “Visitors and locals alike always want to get a piece of turquoise. The Portal is the way to support the actual artist swith ancestral ties to Pueblos and Nations.
Events
Zane loves to support artists and artisans, so the International Folk Art Market is a draw, particularly now that it’s at the Railyard, and “of course, Indian Market. The artists are so proud, and it just goes on for blocks. It feels like a holiday.” Also, the Candlelight Concerts at the St. Francis Auditorium are a must—“ … even if you are not a Classical music lover. With the acoustics and the tea lights, you cannot help but become awash with emotion.”
Outdoors
“In the winter, I love to hike up to Ski Santa Fe’s Totemoff’s to meet friends for a Bloody Mary and some food and be entertained by a local DJ or live band.
Restaurants and Bars
“The Bull Ring exudes timeless sophistication. Get a martini with a twist and the Bull Wings— which they fry and then bake!” He also loves Tonic and Nuckolls Brewing Co., where you can get the “best burger” (their signature with two Wagyu patties, cheese, and a German sauce). And while waiting patiently for a table at Cafe Pasqual’s where his go-to is the Durango Omelet, Zane recommends a “tasting moment” across the street at the Gruet Winery’s tasting room. Geronimo or Joseph’s are favorite spots for dressing up and dining out.
Soirées
Zane adores hosting intimate soirées that are as curated as his living space. He’ll get a fire going, even in the summer, and encourage his guests to move freely from the charcuterie board to the covered patio for the sunset.
Story by Cullen Curtiss
Photography by Ashley Hafstead
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.
