Whether you’re on team neutrals or ready to play with color, today’s home tour stretches the span. In the same manner, it’ll strike your fancy whether you lean toward contemporary or classic, as it blends both styles seamlessly. At no surprise, it’s the home of a designer—Lauren Johnson of Lauren Johnson Interiors and it’s filled to the brim with charm, from the all-white bedroom to the caramel powder room. Captured in all it’s beauty by Emily Sidoti, we’re taking a walk through with Lauren and she’s even sharing every lust-worthy paint color! Let’s dive in.
Your home is beautiful! Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the design?
This is my personal residence, so I had the luxury of both complete aesthetic control and time for this (never-ending) project! The downside is that, for whatever reason, actually making design decisions for yourself is a million times harder than making them for clients! My home is a grand 1940’s brick Georgian, built with sincerity and attention to detail, so the bones of the house were amazing to begin with—oversized windows, high ceilings, original and intricate moldings, generously sized rooms—but, it had to be adapted to our young, active family. The house leans quite formal, so blending the integrity of the original architecture with our modern lifestyle and varied taste was the priority. And, as is the case with all my projects, it was important to avoid trends, and instead decorate with a fresh, staying power in mind. It might be hard to believe, but several rooms are nearing their 9th birthday! I’m constantly editing and swapping out art and moving pieces around and rotating accessories. I encourage all my clients to do the same and let their homes grow and change with them.
How would you describe the style of your home?
A playful and richly layered blend of contemporary styles set within the framework of a classic Georgian manor.
The all-white bedroom is simply stunning. What are a few ways you created interest and depth in this neutral space?
Thank you!! Despite having two small children, I followed my dream of an all-white bedroom! When decorating with a very limited, neutral color palette, it’s imperative that each element in the room brings visual purpose. For this space, I paid extra attention to incorporate various forms, shapes, and scales to create interest. I love painting the trim work in a slightly darker color than the walls – it’s so subtle, but adds great depth. Incorporating many different materials is also top of the list: various metals, wood, glass, natural stone, leather, and other textiles all play a part in avoiding flatness.
The color palette throughout is so charming. Do you mind sharing some of the colors with us?
Sure! Dining room walls are a 50/50 mix of Dragon’s Breath and Gargoyle by Benjamin Moore; Powder Room is a custom caramel color – Fine Paints of Europe high gloss lacquer; Master Bedroom walls are Simply White and Trim is China White by Benjamin Moore; Family Room and sitting room are La Paloma Gray by Benjamin Moore
What does a beautiful home mean to you and what is your number one tip for crafting a space to love for years to come?
For me, a beautiful home means surrounding yourself with things that make you happy while creating an inviting, authentic and comfortable environment for family and friends. Try to avoid trends as they usually get stale quickly and don’t necessarily work with your home’s architecture/character.
