Recently, we were privileged to spend some time with extraordinaire designer Lauren Liess. Chosen as this year’s Southern Living Idea Home designer, Liess stays on the cutting edge of home design as she manages Lauren Liess Interiors and oversees a burgeoning line of product production. All while she juggles the life of a family with five children.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I design houses and products! I’m a mom of five. I make silly IGTV videos. I love nature, good music, food and animals (we have three dogs, two geese and six chickens). I post about life and design on my Instagram and blog, and we recently launched the Lauren Liess Shop online (physical storefront with kitchen and bath showroom coming to Great Falls, Virginia, this summer).
Describe your design style.
Relaxed, collected, natural. I love bringing the outside in and designing for life rather than living for design. I am drawn to pieces and materials that convey a sense of timelessness and will hold up or improve as they age, and I try to avoid anything too trendy or poorly made. I love that our customers appreciate these pieces, too. We hope the items we choose for clients or sell in our store can be passed down to future generations!
Southern Living Idea Home 2020
Where do you seek inspiration?
The outdoors! I try to find ways to celebrate nature in my designs and store. Lately, we have been really into playing with hydrosols (floral waters) made by our friend, photographer Helen Norman, on her farm. They have so many uses — the peppermint hydrosol is so refreshing to spritz on during summer!
What’s next in interior design?
I hope the movement towards sustainability keeps making it easier for everyone to access well-designed and responsibly-made furnishings. It is exciting to see new uses for natural or recycled materials, and bigger brands representing small-scale makers from around the world.
What are three things clients should know when working with an interior designer?
#1. Do your research. Ask questions about how your designer presents, bills, orders, installs… learning as much as possible before you get started will keep the process moving smoothly. Look at lots of photos of their past projects and make sure you love most of it. While it is a collaborative process, you want to make sure you really like their work.
#2. Be decisive. Try to define your personal style before reaching out. This will help you and your designer get on the same page. Be honest with them if you don’t like something! It will save you time and money. BUT!
#3 Be open to trying something new. Often a piece you aren’t entirely sure about can be the thing you end up loving the most. When you’ve hired the right designer for you, put your trust in them and you will get a better result!
Tell us about one of your favorite projects.
My cousin’s home in Florida is a favorite because he had to do what I said! I’m kidding, but it is a special one because we get to visit him and enjoy it. He cooks for us so it’s great to get to see it as a backdrop for new family memories.
Photo by Helen Norman
Photo by Helen Norman
Bonus question! What’s your take on using tile in projects?
We use tile in most projects and our goal is to find styles that fit the overall language of the home which we define at the beginning of the project.
