Why did you choose a career in design?
I’ve loved it since I can remember! Even as a little girl, I was always rearranging my room and asking to paint it different colors. I grew up in the Trading Spaces era…and, as embarrassing as it may be now to admit it, that show solidified my desire to make this my career! I just thought it would be SO fun to design every day.
Designing in real life for real people is every bit as awesome as I thought it would be. I love how different every project is (this career is anything but boring). Every client has needs and wants that are unique – and it makes the experience exciting and new every time!
What designers have had major influences in your career?
There are many different designers that I follow because I appreciate their aesthetic. I love McGee & Co, Amber Interiors, and Scout & Nimble, to name a few. However, in my line of work, I am most influenced by my clients. When you design for a remodeler, you need to be willing to adapt to many different styles and tastes. One day I’m pulling from super modern influences, and the next I am full on farmhouse. It’s fun to get the opportunity to put my own spin on them!
What social media sites inform your design philosophy?
Instagram is a huge source of inspirational content. It’s a great place to get daily design snapshots from all over the world – and see how different surroundings can influence style.
How do you keep up on current design trends?
I am a member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), and through this organization, I’m participating in various courses to stay updated on current trends and product availability. Additionally, on the social media accounts I follow, any can post their great ideas – and I love to see how design has become so accessible to everyone!
What questions do you ask clients when you first meet?
We are here to “fix.” So, my first question always has to do with what a client is looking to get out of a new space. What are their goals? What do they dislike about their current situation? Their absolute needs for the new space? The fun “wants”? Do they have a particular style in mind or do they want me to just run with it?
How do you communicate with clients throughout the design process and during their installations?
During the design process, there is a ton of face-to-face interaction. We make all of our big selections (cabinets, countertops, flooring, tile) in person in our showrooms. After that, we remain in constant contact via email, phone, and our project management software, CoConstruct. Once the project begins, I work closely with the Project Supervisor to ensure all of the design decisions that were made ahead of time are translated in the field. I am truly involved from beginning to end!
What’s your favorite place to vacation?
Anywhere with a beach and a cold drink 🙂
What clients are saying about Lauren
Lauren is excellent at listening to your dream, discerning your style, and making it happen while keeping your budget and trends in mind. She was the calm to my storm of uncertainties – making overwhelming decisions easier – and her expertise gave me confidence. She was a great sounding board, patient, available and truly more like a girlfriend with good taste than someone you were hiring to design. A total gem! – Vicki D.
Lauren is a joy to work with. She is highly creative, talented, detailed oriented and collaborative – all the characteristics needed for a successful (and fun) remodeling design partner! – Jen R.
Lauren listens: she paid attention to the small comments I made about colors or likes and steered me in the right directions for making my picks. It was clear that she was interested in my choices, and not steering me to her likes. I’ve had friends that wanted to tell me what my space needed, but Lauren’s talent helped me be confident that I knew what my space needed and helped me get there. All of this guarantees that her work will always be a success. She’s a natural. – Anne B.
Lauren has great design ideas, is very responsive, and is focused on making the customer’s vision a reality. She really made the whole remodeling process feel so easy, even in the middle of a pandemic! We absolutely love the kitchen, laundry room, powder room, and fireplace she designed for us and would love to work with her again on our next renovation project. – Susy B.
Lauren was a gem to work with during our kitchen renovation. She was a huge help with finding products for me and ordering the quantity and size that I needed. I could never have chosen and arranged the cabinetry without her help and I am thrilled with the results. I feel that my kitchen flows and is so functional, but it’s also stylish. A great designer makes that happen! – Leslie L.
Lauren’s design savvy made it so easy to create my dream hallway and master bathrooms. She was so responsive and the design boards were an amazing visual tool that allowed me to see how everything would come together. – Jamie J.
I loved working with Lauren. She really listened to our vision for the room and brought it to life. I’m not the best at bringing things together, but Lauren pieced together paint, tile, furniture, everything just perfectly! Our room is a dream. Plus, her positive attitude and expertise made the entire process a lot of fun! – Vicki B.
Working with Lauren is an absolute pleasure! I was so impressed by her responsiveness to her original layout of our space. As we continued to progress on the project, Lauren’s innovative design ideas and patience in helping to make decisions made the project so much more enjoyable. The finished space would not be where it is today without her help. – Becky C.
