Before and After
January 3, 2019

Making Home Renovations Easier in 2019

Renovation projects can be a lot to take on, but once you get in the right mindset and start making headway everything is worth it! After taking down holiday decor I always start to think about what I want to accomplish in the New Year – work, family life, personal acquisitions and even things around the home – so let’s get started!

#1 Expectations:

It’s always so fun to just let your imagination run wild when dreaming up design plans, but its important to gage your expectations first when it comes to renovating! Evaluate your space: keep in mind the size of the space you want to convert, knowing that altering the structural integrity will of course lengthen the process. It might take a while to see your design dreams come to life, and finding the perfect pieces to bring that dream to life will require patience, understanding, and lots of trust! Always remember what you want to achieve from your new space! For busy families like mine, it is smart to keep in mind the practical use of the room as well as the design aspects.

Here, my expectations were vastly determined by lifestyle. We went from one large angled island to two separate islands – one for prepping and one for eating – because this family loves to cook!

 

#2 Budget:

Your budget will fluctuate throughout the renovation process, so it is always a good idea to be realistic in planning for what you want to achieve .Give yourself some room in your budget for the unexpected during the process. Unfortunately, things aren’t always as easy as they appear, so having a cushion in your budget plans will save you some stress! Be open to options: try not to set your heart on anything specific, and keep your eyes and mind open for similar pieces, paints, appliances, etc. that are just as pretty but still match your budget!

This renovation is all about cosmetics and working within a reasonable renovation budget – we painted the brick fireplace a nice white to brighten up the space, added shiplap to the wall, changed out the light fixture and brought in new furnishings.

 

#3 Timing:

As much as we wish it did, renovations don’t happen over night. It’s crucial to give yourself a realistic timeline so you don’t set yourself up for unnecessary frustration or disappointment! Plan ahead when the inevitable inconveniences occur; like prepping dinner for the family with no kitchen or sharing a bathroom with your kids. Be prepared to for some surprises that will set you back as far as timeline, and ones that wont always make your wallet happy, but also keep the trust in the process. Don’t get discouraged! It may take a little while until you see your vision come to life, but celebrate the little wins along the way; whether it be choosing the perfect paint color, or finally deciding on a backsplash! Cherishing the experience will make the overall outcome even better!

 

Click here, to watch the clip on Morning Break!

0
Leave A Comment
Design Tips
December 11, 2018

As Seen On Gabby: 10 Tips for Family-Friendly Holiday Decorating

Inspired by the Holiday Spirt, I wanted to share my Holiday Decorating tips that were featured on Gabby‘s blog. My personal home is filled with favorite Gabby pieces and I had the best time working with their team to create this piece!

Check out the blog post below to see my favorite Family-Friendly Holiday Decorating Tips and to discover favorite pieces from Gabby that I’ve implement in my home.

As a working mother with a busy schedule and full household, Lauren Clement is an expert at making the most of her time and energy. Her secret? Keep it simple, and create impactful moments that make a strong visual impression with the least amount of stress. We asked her to share her best ideas for making any space stylishly – but practically – festive. “Christmas comes and goes quickly,” she says. “Make it magical!”

Here, her top 10 tips for family-friendly holiday decorating:

1. Start early!

Clement always starts decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. “We love doing a Christmas countdown,” she explains of her need to start before December 1st. “That’s tough to do if the house doesn’t look and feel like Christmas. It also helps motivate me to check off my holiday to-do list sooner.”

2. Pick a theme.

Clement recommends starting with a color story to set the tone. She sticks to pops of red and metallic throughout her house, but acknowledges “You can have different color stories in different rooms as long as they work together.” Try to keep the elements within each room cohesive. Mixing too many styles or going overboard on any element can overwhelm a room. “It is possible to have too much of a good thing!”

Get the look! Pictured here is the Gabby Tisdale Dining Table

3. Involve the kids.

As a decorator, Clements won’t hand over complete creative control to her children. But she does believe in having them participate. “My daughters’ favorite activity is decorating the tree. Every ornament that comes out of the box evokes a memory and a story. It’s pure family time.” How to share the joy without compromising the trimming? “Give them specific options about where things can go. Let them organize and sort the decorations. And let them pick the music. That way you’re not up all night re-arranging the ornaments!”

4. But keep the animals out.

Clements makes sure to keep all ornaments, décor and low-hanging branches out of immediate reach of babies and pets. “Several years ago our cat got into the Christmas tree. Not only did we lose many ornaments, but she also took the whole tree down! Now I use wooden tree boxes to raise and protect,” she explains.

Get the look! Pictured here is the Gabby Helena Swivel Chair and the Isabelle Coffee Table

5. Go big.

Clements recommends getting a bigger wreath and tree than you think necessary. “Most people could stand to go 20% bigger,” she advises. The same is true for other décor. “When it comes to Christmas, bigger is usually better. If you have the room to go up or out with your mantel décor or table centerpiece, use it! Just be sure to stay in proportion.”

6. Consider two trees.

In many rooms, one large fat tree doesn’t work. Whether it’s too bulky or throws the room off-balance, the traditional wide-bottomed conical isn’t always the best choice. For those spaces, Clement recommends two skinny trees. “I love the symmetry of a matching pair and you can see all the ornaments better.”

Get the look! Gabby Helena Swivel Chair, Isabelle Coffee Table, Helena Sofa, & Tate Side Table

7. Be unconventional.

Look beyond your mantel when considering where to place your decorations. Clement takes advantage of unexpected surfaces like end tables, bookshelves, and barstools to accentuate the mood. She’s also a fan of incorporating personal elements that mix well with more traditional holiday elements. “I love using cotton. I’m a farm girl at heart and this simple, natural touch makes me happy when combined with evergreen sprigs and red berry sticks.”

8. Maximize one idea.

One of Clement’s go-to decorating elements is ornaments. “There’s such variety of shape, texture, color, and style that it’s easy to use them in different ways in every space. You can use the same pieces from year to year in totally new ways. Plus they’re low-cost, easily attained and easily stored.” Her go-to styling moves? Filling vases and hurricanes on your tables or bathroom counters, piled on a tiered server on your island or buffet, and hung from an opening with evergreen in lieu of mistletoe.

9. Add a signature scent.

Clement knows that even the most arresting spaces look better when they smell good. “I burn Park Hill candles all season long. Their Christmas Tree scent is to die for.”

10. Break the rules.

Part of the fun of holiday decorating is its brevity. So have some fun – “sing, laugh and try something outside of your comfort zone,” she advises. Just no tinsel, ok?

For more Holiday fun, head over to my personal Instagram!

0
Leave A Comment
Color
November 28, 2018

Deck The Halls

The holiday season is officially upon us and after a busy Thanksgiving, I’m ready to use any trick up my sleeve to help ease the stress of holiday shopping, hosting and decorating. Today I’m here to share some of my favorite tips to help kick off the holiday season!

1. Bring the Bling – the holidays are all about the sparkle, metallics and shine! Don’t be afraid to mix your metals and use both silver and gold. It’s the perfect compliment to all of our neutral colors. Tip: Balance the metallics by adding texture with garland, holly, or even pine cones.

 

2. Bigger Is Better – You hear me say this in my everyday design projects. Scale up and use bigger pieces for the maximum impact. This Santa Claus is 2ft tall in front of this mirrored clock that is almost 60″ round. When you have tall ceilings and big moldings you have to think about the scale of things and it is always important to go bigger!

3. Mix it Up – Don’t be afraid to change your colors or even your theme of holiday decor in different rooms. This year, while my family room and dining room are in the more neutral colors with a touch of dressed up bling, my kitchen table is in the more traditional colors of red — of course I had to have some plaid — since I’m obsessed with the red plaid!

Most importantly, enjoy the season and your family and don’t stress out since you get to do it all again next year!

Don’t miss my Holiday Decorating Tips from Charlotte-Today this week – view the segment, here.

0
Leave A Comment
How to
November 13, 2018

Setting the Thanksgiving Table

It’s crazy, but we’re already less than 2 weeks away from Thanksgiving — how did that happen so fast? We tend to spend all day cooking, so I’d like to give you some tips and tricks for keeping your table decor easy and beautiful!

This morning I spoke on Morning Break – WBTV to share my top tips for setting your Thanksgiving Table! Click here to watch the segment!

#1 Plan ahead – Set your table, get out all of your silverware, glasses and serving pieces the day before. Make sure that you have added fall and thanksgiving colors to your entryway to welcome your guests in true Thanksgiving fashion!

#2 Add some Color – Fall is one of the most colorful times of year and fall colors are a great way to bring your Thanksgiving table to life. Consider using a plaid scarf or plaid tablecloth for both texture and color. A well placed — but not too big centerpiece will set off the table. Build your decor from short to tall to give the tablescape or even a buffet movement and interest!

#3 Mix It Up – Mix up your place settings for interest and that extra wow factor! I always tell clients to invest in a set of white dinnerware. When you add the other pieces for color and interest and it’s so easy to change it up for each holiday!

#4 Keep it Fun – I wanted to share one of our family’s fun and yummy recipe’s that we make at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. Peanut Butter Fudge with the Secret Ingredient — thanks Paula Deen!

Watch here to find out the secret ingredient!

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks butter)

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners’ sugar

1/2 pound sliced easy-melt cheese

Directions:

Lightly spray the bottom of a 9”x12” square pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt cheese and butter together, then add peanut butter and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

2. Empty confectioner’s sugar into large bowl and pour cheese mixture over sugar. Stir until complexity mixed. Candy will be very stiff.

3. Using your hands, remove candy from the bowl and press evenly and firmly into the pan. Because of the amount of butter in this recipe, pat top of candy with a paper towel to remove excess oil. Place the pan in refrigerator until candy is firm.

4. To serve, cut into squares.

0
Leave A Comment
Color
November 12, 2018

Designing With Green

I just returned from the High Point market and the color we saw everywhere was Green -which is one of my favorite colors. For the past couple of years everyone has been focused on neutrals and grays and I am really excited to see a rich, vibrant shade making a comeback! This green pairs perfectly with the greys and blues we’ve seen so much of and the warm beiges that are also making a comeback.

#1 Green Accents – You want to consider the right shade of green for your space – do you want a calming or energizing effect? I’m always a firm believer that each room needs a touch of a natural element and green is the perfect way to start! Each hue of green will reflect the beautiful outdoors, brining life inside! I typically consider having green work as accents in a room – fabrics, pillows, wall coverings, or greenery and florals can do the trick!

 

#2 Paint It Green – I introduced “Fresh Fennel” with Benjamin Moore and am so happy to see it on Wildwood Select Custom Furniture! The other neutrals in my color palette, or stand alone as a statement piece!

#3 New Ways To Design With Green – I just got back from High Point Furniture Market and green was everywhere! A beautiful, rich toned green that pairs nicely with anything from other rich colors to a simple statement with your neutrals. After leaving Market, I am always thinking about new ways to bring industry trends into our day-to-day life and I am so excited to keep the momentum of this green going!

 
0
Leave A Comment
Color
November 2, 2018

November 2018 Room of Month

Believe it or not, it’s already November and we all know that means – traditions, family gatherings and cooking! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am looking back on this harvest, gold toned dining room!

Talk about luxe elements! The plush, satin chairs offer sleek and comfortable dining. The neutral rug and wallpaper accentuate the dark floors and furniture with gorgeous gold accents. The large windows provide natural lighting for this engaging and warm space for the holidays.  

The holidays are the perfect time to gather in the warmth of your home! The dining room is delightful for entertaining, catching up and eating with friends and family. I hope everyone cherishes this upcoming holiday season with loved ones!

0
Leave A Comment
Color
October 8, 2018

High Point Market

With fall official here, that means High Point Market is right around the corner! I am busy cannot wait to begin shopping the latest trends in home decor! Follow along Friday, October 12th – Monday, October 15th as I share live-updates on my personal Instagram account to see my favorite spots and new products, as well as during events and speaking engagements.

I am so excited to announce a new ambassadorship with Sunbrella®! I will be scouting my favorite Sunbrella fabric finds around market. Stay tuned to see some of the many reasons why Sunbrella fabrics are some of my favorite including the design and durability.

 
I’ll be guiding a one-hour tour through the most on trend and inspiring exhibitor booths on all three floors of The Suites at Market Square.

Catch a glimpse at behind-the-scenes looks into High Point Market by following along on International Market Center’s @DesignonHPMKT’s Instagram, Monday, October 15th as I take over and share my favorite finds! After market, be sure to check back because I’ll will recap my favorite finds in a blog post on IMC’s website.

Mix up your Market experience during Cocktails and Custom Creations at Wildwood Home. I’ll be speaking with representatives from Wildwood and Benjamin Moore, describing the creative process behind my custom color palette, inspired by my life-long love for horseback riding. The custom line of paint colors are for sale exclusively through Benjamin Moore and I am excited to announce that they will be available on Wildwood Select Custom Furniture pieces beginning this fall!

I’m looking forward to sharing my market experience with everyone!

0
Leave A Comment
Color
September 28, 2018

How To: Decorate Your House For Fall

From decorations, costumes, candy, to pumpkin carvings, I always enjoy celebrating all things fall related with my family! Today, I’m sharing some tips on planning for the fall along with a few Halloween-related ideas.

#1.  Bring The Outdoors In  – It’s not officially fall, until you’ve made a trip to the local pumpkin farm and I am a big believer that every room needs a natural element and there is no better way to do so than adding the textures of fall (pine cones, fur or cable knit blankets)! My girls and I take an annual trip to pick pumpkins and gourds to begin our fall decorating. I always let the girls choose a few mini pumpkins they can decorate!

#2. Start Decorating – After a long and hot summer, I was ready to decorate for fall early this year! With upcoming parties dinner parties and festivities I wanted to bring the best of fall right to our home! If your home is very natural and you’d like to keep your decor that way, I suggest decorating for fall in a neutral way (with browns instead of orange and red). This rustic elements are perfect for everyday use – bring on the friends and family, I’m ready to start entertaining this season!

#3. Get Crafty – Now that your home is ready for fall, it’s time to enjoy the season with your family! The fall and leading into the holidays is always the perfect time to get crafty with your kids or even just doing a few crafts for yourself or your home. My girls are hosting a pumpkin decorating party with their friends and I am I’m enjoying a few DIYs myself, like this chair!

0
Leave A Comment
Color
September 12, 2018

Bringing The Warm Colors Of Fall Into Your Home

Temperatures may still be warm here in Charlotte, but I am already thinking about fall and wanted to share my favorite tips on transitioning your home from summer to fall!

#1 Bring The Outdoors In – When I think of fall, I think about the beautiful changes happening outdoors. There is no better way to fully enjoy this, than by brining touches of nature in. Display pumpkins, gourds, apples, pinecones and foliage on your mantle or dining room table.

Tip: Create an overall look or theme that will last through Halloween and Thanksgiving to save you from decorating twice!

#2 Layer Up – Fall fashion is all about layering, so why not incorporate this into your home? Add rugs to bare hardware floors, bring out extra blankets in living spaces and swap out pillows. Textiles in rich colors (orange, navy, green) will add both texture and warmth to your space. Swap light linen fabrics for cozy furs and velvets.

#3 Woodsy Charm – Your fireplace is not just functional, it is also decorative. Growing up riding horses I love to bring rustic elements into a home, especially during the fall. Freshly cut firewood is the perfect decorative touch and will even have your home smelling like the great outdoors! For a final touch, print out your favorite family photos and place them in wooden photo frames.

0
Leave A Comment
Design Tips
August 22, 2018

Designing Your Room For A Better Night’s Sleep

If you are like me and are always on the go, there is nothing better than settling down in your bedroom for a good night’s sleep. This should be a place of complete relaxation and I want to share a few ideas with you on how to have a stylish, functional and soothing bedroom to get enough sleep each night! It’s common for people to push renovating their master bedroom to the bottom of their list, but we spend about 1/3 of our lives in our bedroom sleeping and who doesn’t want to go into a room that is their haven and that they absolutely love at the end of a long day?!

#1 Soothing Paint Color – Sounds simple enough right? Well as much as you might love to have a bright pop of color on your bedroom walls, studies prove that a calming paint color is one of the top ways to make sure you get a good night’s sleep – think gray and light blues/ greens that will look great in any bedroom, no matter your style.

#2 Build Ambiance With Minimal Light – A good way to start here is by eliminating electronic lights, clock lights and swapping out bright white bulbs for warm white bulbs. One of the best ways to control light is a dimmer, allowing optimal light during the night and day. Keep in mind the correct size lamps 30″+ provides the best lighting while you’re seated in bed. If your bedroom has windows that bring in a lot of light, I suggest draperies (optional: use blackout lining to block out all light) to block outside light at night and then can be pulled open for a beautiful view in the morning.

#3 Remember your Senses – Calming your senses provides optimal relaxation. Soft blankets and pillows are great to cozy up in. With this in mind, I suggest having a lighter coverlet in the summer and a heavier duvet in the winter. A low speed fan doubles to cool your body and provide light noise. Calming scents such as lavender help provide deep relaxation. Sometimes we get caught up on the bed because it is the most important part, but I always suggest having an extra place to sit and relax (like seen here).

Sweet dreams to all! Hoping these tips help you create a healthy sleeping environment and remember to rid your bedroom of clutter and of things that don’t belong.

Watch my recent segment from Charlotte Today to hear more about designing a bedroom for optimal relaxation.

0
Leave A Comment
Press
August 10, 2018

Back To School With Stanley Furniture

Can y’all believe that summer days are coming to an end and that it is already time to go back to school?! Yesterday, I was on Morning Break with my two girls talking about preparing for back to school with a little help from Stanley Furniture!

Creating A Designated Study Space – Whether it is a desk or flat surface table, creating a space that your child will associate with studying and homework will keep them on task and focussed much more than doing homework on the couch!

Remember: This is a space for your kids so it doesn’t have to be all serious! I suggest having a comfortable chair and/ or reading nook with pillows and blankets for a go to study space other than the desk!

Organization is Key – Remove toys, electronics and anything from the space that might serve as a distraction. Take a trip with your kids to pick out supplies (bulletin board, highlighters, pens, pencils, notebooks, etc.) and resource tools (dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, calculator) – if readily available in the space they are more likely to use!

Light It Up – Proper lighting will help increase efficiency. If you don’t already have, invest in good overhead lighting as well as a desk lamp. Depending on the layout of the room, try to set up the space where it best hits natural lighting.

GIVEAWAY: I’ve teamed up with Stone and Leigh by Stanley Furniture to give away not just one but three pieces of furniture to help one lucky Charlotte area child have a successful school year.

How to enter? Comment on my Instagram how you would use the Bookcase, Pedestal Desk and Desk Chair and tag 3 friends.

Stay tuned for the winner to be announced on Monday 8/13!

0
Leave A Comment
Press
July 19, 2018

New Website Launch

It’s official! I am so excited to announce the launch of Lauren Nicole Designs’ brand new website! As I transition into the next stages of my career through exciting partnerships with Benjamin Moore, Aiden Gray and Wildwood Lighting (and more to come!), along with the release of my private label furniture line, I felt like this was the perfect time to reset, refresh and renew!

I have spent lots of time over the last few months making sure the website is easy to navigate and appealing to all users on both mobile and desk applications. I am so thankful for everyone who has made it a success!

 

“My main goal with the new website was to create a site that is easy to navigate and user-friendly. The website’s clean look makes it visually appealing and enjoyable to search through.”

The new site breaks down my design work by rooms and projects, making it simple to find inspiration for one particular room in the house!

The site also features my past blogs, categorized by Room of the Month, Entertaining, Color, and more! Make sure that you check this section often as I am frequently updating with new blog posts and design tips! I also incorporated a search functionality for ease of navigation.

If you haven’t already, explore the website and see the changes for yourself. We can’t wait to hear what you think. Stay tuned for our Shop Page, where you will be able to shop all of Lauren’s favorites!

Thanks for following along on this new and exciting journey! One of the most exciting parts of my job is sharing the news with you all.

And a big thank you to Kilgore Media Group for facilitating this project, it has been a pleasure to work with you!

0
Leave A Comment