Talk Shop: Lauren Lowe // Lauren Elaine Interiors
Photo by Mary Catherine Brownfield
ABOUT LAUREN
Lauren Lowe began developing her eye for design early in life; she credits her refined sense of style to her father’s New England upbringing and her mother’s Southern roots. An extensive education in fine art and a successful career in commercial design gave her the foundation and the tools needed to find her current path.
Lowe studied Fine Art and Interior Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, which included fine art courses in in Cortona, Italy. After school, she joined a top commercial design firm and managed a large design team. Lowe used this time to master the art of space planning and to learn the business side of design, but always knew she was destined to focus on the intimate process of designing homes.
Bringing her regimented focus on process and space planning into her new career, Lowe founded Lauren Elaine Interiors in 2015. Neither minimalist nor maximalist, (and a true Anglophile at heart, which we love!) Lowe’s design approach is one of layers, a sum that is definitely greater than its parts.
We sat down with Lauren to chat all things design – we hope you love our discussion as much as we did!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classic, insouciant, chic.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My father: he is the quintessential New England Prep and his love of horses and all things classic have been shaping my eye since I was a little girl. Travels: I’ve learned you never fully understand the beauty of a culturally influenced style until you have experienced it yourself. And art school! I use the tools and design elements I learned in art school pretty much every day.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I was in commercial design for 6 years before I decided to switch to residential. I loved my experience in that world, but felt I was missing the ability to deeply connect on a design level with clients and the time to dig deep into nitty gritty design details. I was always making barbie furniture, styling bookshelves, and helping friends “decorate” their rooms growing up, so I reconnected with my younger self and decided to just jump! I almost went to work for an esteemed Atlanta designer, but I was feeling burnt out from the corporate world and wanted a break. 6 weeks later, my first client called me and I’ve been busy ever since!
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I had wonderful mentors in the commercial world, but the most influential person in my life has been my husband. He believed in me when I felt confused about my career path. He encouraged me to try this thing on my own. I never would have dug back to that little girl who wanted to decorate people’s homes had it not been for his (incredibly strong) confidence in me. He still helps keep me on my path to this day and I am forever grateful!
What does your home say about you:
Approachable, beautiful, collected.
Where do you find inspiration:
Traveling, design books/old design magazines (if I am ever feeling uninspired, I grab a book or a magazine and it always kick starts my creative juices), and my clients. I’ve found that my clients all enriched me during our time together from their personal styles and experiences. I take a little piece of them with me into my design arsenal.
Who are your style icons:
So many! Diane Keaton, Ralph Lauren, Hubert de Givency, Albert Hadley, Billy Baldwin, Miles Redd, Tom Scheer...
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Have small bites and drinks ready and accessible as guests arrive, a great playlist playing, and lots of candles. And now that I am a mom...usually take-out or a caterer.
Do you collect anything:
I collect seashells, vintage seashell boxes, antique and original art, new/vintage books and china - so far. I like that I am young and so are my collections - we are growing together.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@quintessence, @theglampad, @lorenzocastillofe, @isabellopezquesada, @anouskahempeldesign, @anoukyve, @m.o.endres, @habituallychic.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Always edit: take away an accessory/a focal fabric/accent color. But sometimes, more is more!
What are you working on right now:
I truly have never been happier with my list of clients than what we have right now. We have projects in NY, Chicago, and an adorable little farm in Palmetto, GA, but the best part is that all of these clients really care about the design details the way we do. We are also working on renovating the bathrooms and backyard in our own home and also starting to design the nursery for our baby girl due in July!
Wardrobe staples:
Lots of navy, menswear candy-striped shirts, high waisted pants & jeans, Gucci horsebit loafers, Ann Mashburn buckle flats, chic statement earrings (usually Rebecca de Ravenel!), white jeans with a cream sweater, anything navy/white striped, blazers, white structured dresses, pops of forest green in accessories.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Fabric: Jasper Grace, Classic Cloth Petit Check, Schumacher Wesley Ticking Stripe (looks just like my favorite Brooks Brothers shirt), Bennison Plain Stripe, Marvic Clover, Colefax & Fowler Fuschia.
Wallpaper: Twigs Pheasant, Schumacher Brighton Sisal, Adelphi Paper Hangings Philadelphia Harlequin, Madeaux Elgin in Tortoiseshell, Pierre Frey Toile de Nantes.
Best interior advice you ever received:
I once heard Bunny Williams speak and she said that every room needs something “off” or “ugly.” She said if her clients came in and said, “this room looks pretty,” then she didn’t do her job. Anyone can create something “pretty,” but it’s those unexpected, dynamic details that bring depth and personality to spaces. And those spaces are timeless!
Best career advice you ever received:
Invest in the best photography you can afford. This has always paid off for me! And to take risks! Staying comfortable in business will only bring you “comfortable” success.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in artwork (artwork should be your most emotional and spontaneous purchases!), a few good antiques, drapery and quality upholstery. I try to search for deals on everything else, sometimes even art!
Your greatest extravagance:
Handbags and drapery. Starting an outfit with a killer handbag and a room with beautiful drapery will elevate the remaining details. You can almost never take an outfit or a room to that next-level potential without them!
Favorite places to shop for home:
Gramercy Home, Bungalow Classic, Estate Sales, my fabric library.
Most prized possession and why:
My old green LR4 that we searched for for a long time. It gets so much natural light, and as someone who is very affected by their interiors, I just adore being inside it and plan to drive it into the ground. And my giant William Skilling horse painting that I found at Scott Antique Market for $700. He hangs proudly in our dining room and is the heart of our house!
Your interiors motto:
“Buy the right thing first and only cry once”
Your life motto:
“Carpe diem...seize the day...make your life extraordinary”
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
To begin, soak up all you can - design books/magazines, instagram, shopping local home/antique stores, showhouses, etc. Then hit pause after some time. Stay off social media for a few weeks and take notes! Stash away images that have stuck with you over that period of time. Turning off the noise will allow you to hear only yourself and give you a clear sense of what your style is starting to say.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Delicious authentic italian pasta or a cheese plate with all the accoutrements
Drink: Water! I’m not a big drinker, but when I do drink, I love a good tempranillo/garnacha or a rye manhattan
Film: The Secret Garden (1993), Marie Antoinette, Something’s Gotta Give, Sabrina (1954 & 1995), Dead Poet’s Society
Hotel: The Carlyle NYC, The Cloister Sea Island, St. Regis Florence
City: NYC or Florence. Gosh, I miss traveling!
Bedding: I love my Sferra percale sheets because they always feel cool to the touch
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Decaf americano black, but rarely! I only drink water.
Playlist: My husband and I are huge music people, so we have so many of our own that we’ve spent years creating. We leave one on at home most of the time called “Lowe Home Special” that’s an eclectic mix of everything! You can follow along (Lauren Lowe) on Spotify!
Weekend Activity: Lunch or brunch outside somewhere, gardening
Design Book: I could never choose.
