Lemondrop

Keith Johnson may have the world's best job: As Anthropologie's buyer-at-large, he travels the world looking for pieces to send back -- from an antique Belgian ladder that "narrates" a store, to a one-off, $6,000 French armoire, to South African crafts -- either to be sold or to inspire the brand's in-house design team. His global adventures are now the focus of the Sundance Channel's new, eight-episode series, "Man Shops Globe," which debuted October 6.

We quizzed Johnson on his favorite shopping resources, his all-time best buy, and the aesthetic power of the humble doorknob.

True or false: You have the best job ever.
The fellow who did the filming, he and I had this constant back and forth about who had the best job in the world. I think he edges me out.

How did "Man Shops Globe" come about?
[Anthropologie's] policy is that when people are with the company for a certain amount of time, they get to come with me, and all the people I've taken have said the same thing: This is the best vacation they've ever been on. It's because the focus of my job really gets you to meet people in a different way than if you go into a city with a guidebook -- there's nothing like making good connections, and there's nothing like bringing something home.

So what you're doing is cultural immersion-by-craft?
We're making connections in places and in ways that people aren't necessarily used to. I remember bringing back knobs and hooks from France that [we then used as] inspiration for our hardware department. This was before everyone was reproducing them, and it was amazing. You knew it was France just by looking at it. Just with these little visual cues, you could set the tone in a room. Suddenly you're in a French bistro, based on your choice of knob.

Where have you been lately that you've really loved?
All the buyers love South Africa. There's so much creativity there and so many wonderful people. It was a real revelation. That's a place we're all mad for -- so much of Europe has become very small and cross-pollinated. South Africa, being relatively isolated, has a homegrown style.

Do you have an all-time favorite piece?
I bought a notion shop in Barcelona, with this sort of Art Nouveau interior, complete with balconies and winding staircases with beautiful ironwork. It really narrates the store in an amazing way. You walk in and you're in Barcelona.

You bought the entire shop?
I have bought whole shops. Our stores are big, so we can accommodate and build around things like this. I've bought many stores. I bought a music shop in Belgium.

Three favorite places to shop?
The Battersea Fair in London. You'll pay for them, but you'll see pieces you absolutely love. The markets in Paris. And I really love Parma, Italy.

You don't have a home overseas, but obviously you have an abiding passion for travel. Do you dream of, say, a place in the South of France?
I'm in France every month. I dream of staying home, but that's not in the cards.