The focus of the article was on decorating for young families, particularly those with kids. As you know, I haven't given up the fight for a pretty house even though I have two little boys. (Although at times it feels like a losing battle ;) It's funny to see yourself quoted in an article and I had to laugh out loud when one of my quotes when asked about design tips for parents with young children was, "It's your life, not your kids'." hahahah oh boy... But as harsh as that may sound, (as far as decorating / designing in concerned ;) I believe it 100%. Design a house that still feels adult/ beautiful by keeping kids' toys to a minimum and providing attractive, accessible storage for them. Kids' toys can be in every room of the house without taking over. A running joke in the family is that one of the first things you say to your newborn baby when he arrives is "welcome to our world."
BUT- All joking aside, we love our little dudes- we just think they should keep their primary-colored toys hidden ;) ;)
To read both articles go:
1) here (decorating for young families) and
2) here (for the Pure Style Home article/ slideshow.)
As a decorator & a textile designer, this is my place to muse... perfection doesn't interest me; Reality and charm do. Fresh floppy flowers from the garden over long-stemmed roses any day, I love it when things are slightly off and tell a story. 
36 comments:
congrats on the press! and i can't agree with you more about toys. i buy a lot of plain wooden toys just because they match our house and they don't give me a headache if they are scattered around the room, like the colored ones do. it's the little things that keep me sane. haha.
Congrats Lauren! Great articles.
I couldn't agree more with "it's your life, not your kids'". It sounds harsh, but I never had any intention of allowing my home to look like a daycare center. So I did the extra work required to provide strategic toy storage space and created good-looking rooms where kids would feel welcome but clean-up and maintenance would be easy. I even approve of having spaces that are off-limits to kids - like my bedroom without an invitation! - as it teaches them to respect other people's things and spaces. What a mean mom, right?!
both pieces are wonderful, Lauren. your talent and style is going to take you lots of places and we are so proud for you!
Congratulations on the recognition! Nice!
Kelly
How wonderful for you to be recognized for your fantastic decor! I love your house and all your tips!
Congrats! Great articles. That's a great picture of you as well.
Congratulations on the great press, Lauren. They asked the perfect person to talk about those design issues. I'm in full agreement with your philosophy...after all, how many things can a kid really play with. Besides that, they would rather play with the tupperware and a wooden spoon anyway!
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com
Very cool!! Congrats!
Ha, ha on the primary colored toys. Totally agree! :)
Congratulations on the article and photos!!
I just had to read your feelings about kids and toys to my husband for future reference - they match my feelings on the subject too.
Lauren .. you have sooo many comments on your articles so I thought I would pop in here before it gets crowded. Firstly, congrats on your article. I too have 2 boys and love hiding their junk (oops, toys). 2nd - your hubbies spead was fantastic. Read it all and hope the youngen's at the school took some in. 3rdly .. you've inspired me to clean out the kids cubby and make it special like you have done for yours. The Mr built ours 2 years ago when we moved and while it looks great, yours looks really inviting - somewhere fun. Thanks
That's so awesome! You deserve it and the articles were great! I really liked the picture they used of you too!
Aw Lauren this was so fun to read!!!! Congratulations! I agree with everything you said.
xx,
Marianne
Wonderful! Congratulations! Wish we did a better job of disguising the kiddo gear...working on that one.
Congrats on your interview and I completely agree with your philosophy. I've had many nieces and nephews and friends with kids and some adopt your thinking and others don't but complain about the mess. I grew up in an 'adult' house and our toys were neatly put away with no issues - it's just about how you teach your kids and having places to put things. : )
I love your point of view on this- especially the "primary colors"! We are building a new home and my aesthetic is so NOT primary colors.
I totally agree...I LOVE my children, but I don't love all of the toys. Good for you! Congrats on the press.
Wow, you're officially a design celeb! Congrats, you deserve it, Lauren!!
Too cool! Congratulations!! Love the part about hiding the primary colored toys!! tooo funny!!!
("when asked about design tips for parents with young children was, "It's your life, not your kids'." )
LOVE IT AND SUPPORT IT! As people with defined taste, it's our JOB to teach our kids good from bad, even in the design world. Good for you!!!
AND, congratulations!!
Congratulations! I'm off to read the articles, great topic!! I waited a long time for a home and didn't feel I should wait even longer (kids get bigger, etc.) to have a beautiful home. They appreciate it, I really do think...and I do without doubt!
Janell
Congrats on the articles! And, I totally agree.
Congratulations on the press! It was a great article filled with great tips!
Lauren,
With all your pure simple style and no nonsense, I cannot imagine you ever being nervous. I too agree whole-heartedly with you that children come into our world to be exposed to lovely living and to embrace good living, good design and "welcome to our world"
says it all perfectly.
pve
Lauren,
Congratulations!! You did great!! You were wonderful to watch and super ideas too!! Great job!!
xx-Gina
wow, congrats!!
Congratulations Lauren! Great ideas! So happy for you! Torie @amishhome
Congrats on the great press! I agree, kids can be kids while also learning boundaries and how to behave in an adult world.
Jut found your blog through the Love List! I love what you said about our own style embodying us. I couldn't agree me. Thrilled to be following! xo
Great article Lauren. I have just taken on my first clients with 2 children under 3, and part of the project is their playroom/breakfast nook which is in a very public area of the house. I can't wait to help them create a place where their kids love to play, but they aren't embarrassed to bring guests!
Lauren...I am off to check out your features, congrats! And, I couldn't agree with you more. We do a lot of playdates and playgroups through Vienna moms, etc. I have to say I am constantly amazed when I walk into a home in a nice neighborhood and the formal living room has been converted into a playroom with plastic slides, ride on toys, etc. I figure to each their own....but this wouldn't happen in my home, that's for sure!
Yay! Congratulations. I loved both articles. You and your home look beautiful, and I thought you did an awesome job being interviewed. You gave creative, useful advice that even us "not so young" parents will find helpful :)
xo
Brooke
How wonderful! I would love to see that show! We love Fox news and especially Brooke! I'm so happy for you! ♥
All I can say is I am so proud of you! My posts will slow down cause I did chemo again today reduced by 25 percent so I can hopefully live through the chemo!
As always, love you.
nancy
This piece is one I just love and one of these days my cabinet builder will just have to duplicate it, it would be perfect for my *apt* above the garage that the kids use when they come for visits with the grandkids.
Kids, within reason, do adapt to what they are allowed to do and don't do in a house. When my kids were babies, there wasn't a good place to drill holes in my staircase for baby gates. I just taught them to crawl backwards down the stairs. They all picked it up so quickly!
Congrats on all the press you've been receiving!
Sue
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