We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Braud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been interested in the arts. It’s something that runs in my blood—my parents are both architects, my paternal grandmother was a prolific artist, and my maternal grandmother had an incredible eye for interiors. Growing up, I was surrounded by creativity and encouraged in artistic pursuits, that support has shaped me into the creative I am today.

I attended the University of Texas for architecture, but after graduation I found myself torn. I loved working for architecture firms, but at the end of the day, there was something missing—something that drew me more to interior design than anything else. I finally decided to make interior design my focus using my architectural background as a foundation, it felt like coming home; it felt like this was what I was meant to do all along.

Nowadays, I run an architecturally-driven interior design firm—a company that allows me to bring more artistry into my work while helping to revive long-beloved historic homes throughout the city!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Historic homes have so much character. They were built with quality materials and excellent craftmanship, that said homes built 50, 100, 150 years ago aren’t often ideal for the way we live our lives today.

My formal education as an Architect lends me a unique perspective when working within the interiors of my client’s homes. Having a innate knowledge of the history of homes and particular styles allows me to reinterpret historic homes into more modern renditions that maintain the integrity of the home. My goal is to help my clients fall in love with their homes all over again transforming them into something that will continue to serve families for another 50 or 100 years!

However, the part of my business I am most proud of that I have worked with some of the kindest clients around – the work is important (and they do have great taste!) but even more important to me is that I work with trusting, open-minded people. I haven’t shied away from sharing my values along with my work on social media and while it can be disheartening to see those follower numbers drop, I know that the community I have cultivated there knows me and is there for all of it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start our morning with a perfectly brewed flat white and croissant at Tenfold Coffee. We would have to get a second latte to go and take a stroll at the gorgeous Eastern Glades or meander through the Heights marveling at the historic homes. Lunch would be Better Luck Tomorrow or if its the weekend a late brunch at Monkey’s Tail (with a pitcher of pineapple mimosas of course). The afternoon would be spent in the museum district and then we would catch a early evening class at BIG Yoga. If we’re looking for a fancy evening we would make a reservation at Refuge Bar then head over to Ostia for some excellent and relaxed Italian vibes. For a more laid back evening we would catch whatever food truck is at Black Page Brewing that night and hang out on the patio.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I met an incredible group of women at an interior design conference just before the pandemic shutdown in 2020. This group of 12 business owners come from all over the country—and since we met, we’ve texted each other everyday. We’ve attended furniture markets all over the country, and this past fall we attended a wedding of one of our own in Rhode Island where all of our husbands got to meet and become friends too. We share everything from processes to design and business advice and I don’t know where my business (and sanity) would be without them.

They have taught me so much about running a successful business and about myself as a person. They are my support system and they make me feel like I can accomplish anything.

Website: www.LaurenLouiseDesign.com

Instagram: L.LouiseDesign

Image Credits
Madeline Harper Photography

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