For Lauren Nicole, you could say that interior design runs in the family. She is the daughter of an interior designer mother who introduced her to the craft that has become her passion. Originally hailing from Northern Virginia, Lauren Nicole, owner of Lauren Nicole Design has been a Charlotte resident for more than nine years and loves the influence the city has on design. Not all clients know what their style is or even what they want — they just know they want change. Lauren prides herself on being able to work with clients to draw influence from their personalities and lifestyles to create a masterpiece and space they will love. Whether it’s a change of paint color on the walls or an entire home facelift, Lauren tackles it all. Her philosophy for her work is “It’s all about you!” We’re excited to share our newest Interior Designer Crush with you today. Meet Lauren Nicole!
Lauren Nicole of Lauren Nicole Designs and our newest Interior Designer Crush
Describe your most rewarding project.
Even though I love all of my projects, I would have to say my most rewarding is Northshore Estate. I completely redid this entire home in Greensboro for a family of seven. It started as dark and drab and ended up being light, bright and happy. My favorite part? When my client walked in to see everything done and said, “I feel like I can breathe in my own home.” She said it completely changed the way they live in a more functional and stylish way.
A peek at the Northshore Estate kitchen
Ceilings are often overlooked. What are some things you have done to give them the attention they deserve?
Look up! I absolutely love working with ceilings. I’ve added wallpaper (both patterned and textured grass cloth), painted the ceiling an unexpected but fabulous color and even installed reclaimed wood on the ceiling. Adding a touch of drama to your ceiling can make such an impact on your home.
We love the textured ceiling in the Northshore Estate dining room.
We love how cozy the Northshore Estate’s basement is.
Lauren adds a pop of pink to really make a statement in this dining room.
What are some designer changes that make a big impact without breaking the bank?
There is a TON you can do to freshen up your home without breaking the bank. For example, adding new accessories, pillows and artwork make a huge impact in your home. Additionally, consider changing your accent tables because those can be smaller investments that have big visual and functional rewards.
Add new accessories to a home for a budget friendly update.
Accessories make a foyer much more inviting.
How do you help clients discover their personal style when they aren’t sure what it is?
I love to look through my portfolio and Houzz with my clients to see what they gravitate towards. Additionally, I ask a lot of questions and listen closely to their reactions to see what colors and styles are right for them and their home. It’s also fun to walk with them through their closets and learn the different kinds of clothes and shoes and jewelry that they like to wear, as your personal fashion can certainly be linked to your home decor style.
Muted colors stand out with these great patterns.
How do you stay on top of the trends?
I spend time on social media and read lots of design magazines and design blogs. But overall, it’s about what my clients need and want for their home, not as much about the trends in interior design.
Now this is a kitchen we wouldn’t mind cooking in!
How important is technology in your role? What are some tools you cannot live without?
First of all, I literally have 20,000 photos on my phone. I take pictures constantly; I take pictures of things that inspire me or progress on a client install all the time. I don’t know what I would do without the camera on my phone because it makes my life a lot easier! Other than that, I am pretty traditional and do not do any 3D modeling for my clients. I would rather sit down with them with fabrics and a design board for them to be able to touch and feel what their home is going to look like.
We’d take 20,000 pictures, too, if this were out bedroom.
This chandelier makes a huge impact in this dining room.
How did you get into the business and, beyond that, owning your own business?
Believe it or not, I was a psychology major in college. It was not until I graduated from college that I realized interior design was perfect for me. I grew up watching my mom design for her clients and loved being around all the beautiful fabrics, wallpapers and paint. However, the favorite part of my job? I love to make clients finally feel at home in their house and to see their reaction when we do the final reveal. All the hard work and hours completely pay off when I talk to my clients about how their lives are easier and happier since I designed their home.
Lauren makes the most out of this mudroom, turning it into a work space.
This office makes a serious statement.
Tell us more about Lauren Nicole Home.
Lauren Nicole Home is a home decor store in South Charlotte. My mom, Linda, manages the store. We sell home accessories, paint (and offer lots of paint classes), seasonal decor, handmade Charlotte goods and much more.
Lauren Nicole Home store is a wonderful resource in South Charlotte.
How much does Charlotte and the culture affect your work?
Charlotte is very traditional, Southern and classic — and I love it! I design for lots of different types of people — from very busy business men to stay-at-home moms with big families — and each person requires a different view, function and style for their home. That’s really what drives everything I do: what my client wants.
We love this traditional and sophisticated living room.
Tell us about Design 101!
I am so excited about Design 101! Design 101 is an interior design seminar series led by my mom, Linda, and myself and sponsored by QC Exclusive. Our last seminar was on accessorizing mantels and bookshelves and was a huge hit! We love to tackle hot-topic issues that affect us every day in our homes. Our next Design 101 seminar is Saturday, November 12, holiday decorating and how to get your home holiday ready.
Thank you to Lauren Nicole for her design tips and insight and to D Randolph Foulds Photography for the amazing pictures. To see more of Lauren’s work, visit laurennicoleinc.com.
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