My Room in Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

April has been a super-busy month so I'm a little late on sharing ,but I am thrilled about the article published in this month's (April's) Better Homes & Gardens Magazine!   The photo shoot took place last May in my room, at the 2011 DC Design House and my good friend, photographer Helen Norman took the photos. 

{The little aqua "one line a day" book is now mine & I use it to record funny things my kids say & little family stories.}

Here's a really pretty shot of the window seat we had custom-made by our go-to builders, CarrMichael Construction with custom layered cushions fabricated by Paul David Designs (our workroom, who we absolutely love.)

{The window seat is a mix of fabrics by Peter Dunham Textiles who generously donated their fabrics for the showhouse and some of my new fabrics.  The distressed silver llama sconces were donated by Porta Romana.}

Here's a shot of most of the room which shows off the grasscloth walls & diamond-patterned sisal rug (by Stark, fabricates by the Carpet Customizer)...



The article is by BHG editor Joanna Linberg {who is one of the kindest & most genuinely sweet people I've ever met} and I love how she broke everything down for the article & delved into the concept of "perfectly imperfect ." 

She listed a few of the must-haves I like to include when designing a room:



The oversize painting is by my good friend John Matthew Moore and I arranged the leather parsons desk (by Edelman Leather) so that was askew from the painting for a slightly "off" and more casual look.  I tucked the glass lamp with bright green tin shade (donated by Stray Dog Designs) right next to the painting to compensate for the assymetical desk arrangement.  I'm always really awkward in photos by myself and so I curled up in one of my Madhatter Chairs & it made me feel much better.  :)  The curtains are my Happikat in black & white and the Fabric on the back of the chair is by Michael Smith.

Here's a page they included at the end of the article about botanicals (which you know I'm pretty much obsessed with) and I'm loving the black backgrounds on a few of the botanicals & that pattern on the journal.  (#3)




The article itself includes all of our resources, but I want to be sure to mention that we borrowed antiques & artwork from some of our favorite local shops:  John Rosselli, Spurgeon Lewis and German Favorite Antiques.  Being a part of the DC Design House, which benefits Children's Hospital in Georgetown, was really such an amazing experience & through it, I made friends I know I'll have for life.  The 2012 House is open right now, so if you're in the area, be sure to go check it out!!

And finally, I turned 30 yesterday!!!!!  My 20s were over & I have to say they did not go out with a bang- 8+ months pregnant just doesn't put you in the partying mood ;) - but I will be sure to make up for it when I'm out of Baby #3 haze. 


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

35 comments:

Me! said...

Gosh! I remember lovong it while you were working on it! Congratulations! What a lovely article!

................. said...

Great photos....and what a beautiful space. Happy belated birthday!!! Xo

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

I love seeing photos of this room. The asymmetrical layout of the artwork and desk is one of my favourite 'moments'.

A belated happy birthday to you!

Unknown said...

Yay for you! I love that room... so pretty.

Acquired Objects said...

Congratulations on having your romm publlished, I love that room. And a very Happy Birthday to you, I loved my thirties and then my forties and not, not so much....lol.

XX
Debra~

Erin @ The Impatient Gardener said...

That's a great room and I love all the little tips. I share your love of large-scale artwork, but I find it very difficult to locate.

Windlost said...

That was a beautiful room and Helen's pictures really do it justice. Happy 30th Lauren. You are still but a girl! Good luck with the baby things in the next little while. I can't wait to see your newest addition (then can you have one for me?).

xo Terri

Cre8ive Motives said...

Glad to see your in DMV area. I live in VA as well :) Congrats on the article feature, I love your style. Well deserved! Mandy

Linda in AZ * said...

*** Am sooo happy for you, Lauren... CONGRATULATIONS on EVERYTHING!!!

The pics show sheer, natural beauty, as does the pic of you, the "SWEET O*L*D LADY"!!! (Grins & congrats on 30--- they're some of the B*E*S*T years, for sure!!!)...

Blessings,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

BaileyWife said...

I remember when I got that issue of BH&G...I was flipping thru and saw your room, and I knew it was yours!!
I soooo have always loved that room since the first time I saw it here on your blog. I think I would be very happy living in there the rest of my life!
And welcome to the club of 30-somethings ;) These are truly the best years of your life!
~Kim

elizabethripleyhorn said...

I was so excited when I turned to this article in BHG. I immediately recognized it as your work. You are one of my faves!

Jacci said...

Happy Birthday! And I loved the tips from you just as much as I loved the gorgeous photos. You really knocked this out of the park.

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Congratulation on the birthday and the article. I loved watching the design process as you were putting the room together last year...my how time flies.

The room was fabulous then and it is still now.

Hope you are feeling good! Happy Birthday! Enjoy!

Elizabeth

Jenny Jackson Kersting said...

That is too cool. I love, love, love your wallpaper and Happy Birthday.
Jenny

Vintage Home said...

Happy Birthday!
I am so smitten with your "couch" that I have bookmarked it!
Fabulous room!

Unknown said...

I loved seeing you in this magazine! We are so proud to know you !
It is such a beautiful room. I love all the texture and that window seat ( bed). Happy Birthday Lauren!
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Joanna said...

You DID knock it out of the park, as always. I'm always so happy to feature your work. Happy late birthday, thanks for your kind words, and good luck with the new baby!!

xoxo,
J

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Hey preggo!! Just LOVE that room...to bad they didn't highlight the funky floor lamp you hadmade...Loved that quirky piece!

Hena Tayeb said...

Congratulations.. that is amazing.. and a Happy Birthday as well as yay on baby #3
I love the layered mattress idea for the window seat.. and that 'one line a day book' sits on my nightstand too.. i used to have a small notebook but had to make the switch when i saw it..

Vel Criste said...

I saw this and I felt really happy for you because this room design of yours really deserve a country-wide magazine coverage! :-)

Karen said...

What a lovely acknowledgment of your hard work. I adore the way you used three fabrics on the cushions of the window seat, what a fun element.

Maria Killam said...

Congratulations, I so love, love this room it totally belongs in a magazine! You look stunning as always!
x
Maria

kayce hughes said...

Such a treat to see you getting some fabulous press! I love that room.

Kasey McKay said...

I got the magazine and your room looks really great!! also, i still can't believe you didn't get selected for the show house this year....I was looking forward to seeing what you would design. oh well - i know you are so proud to be in a magazine! that is really cool.

Mary Ann Pickett said...

I read the article...it was just so great! I love your work in that room. so imaginative!

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

The way you put fabric together is amazing! Loved the article and that room. Happy Birthday!

Sanity Fair said...

Congrats! I've run across these images several time (and immediately Pin-terested them) but as a recent reader I didn't know they were YOURS! Delightful!
-SF

Unknown said...

Congratulations~ I am officially very jealous! You are an inspiration to working creatives with kids.

Velvet and Linen said...

A new baby (soon!) and a fantastic spread in BHG?
I'd say that's a pretty awesome way to say goodbye to your 20's.
Your 30's are going to be fabulous.
Happy Birthday Lauren!!!

xo xo
Brooke

Patty said...

Happy Birthday Lauren! I was thrilled to see the article in BH&G about you....I felt like saying "I know her!!"

Holly Gruszka said...

I was so excited to see you and your beautiful room that you designed in BHG. It really made me so happy to see your fabrics and the way that you mixed pattern and texture. I go back to the article often. Job well done Lauren and congrats on a great feature! And happy belated birthday too! Onward and upward...!

Megan said...

Oh Lauren... please come design my home, in Texas!

debra @ 5th and state said...

happy birthday lauren!

i love seeing this article as your room is one of my all time favorites that i will never tire of. your mark of genius envelopes this room......stunning!

can't wait to hear the good news!
luv to you
debra

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful, and so deserving to be featured in BH&G. I was at German Favorite Antiques yesterday, and am in awe of their exquisite finds!
Happy 30th, and happy 8th month birthday to baby!

Cailan said...

SUCH a lovely feature. I never really looked closely at the vignette on the desk - love it. The whole room was so fun. Do hope you get your thirty year bang sooner than later! I turned the big 30 this year, too - it's rather worth celebrating : )