We gush about readers on a regular basis throughout our Cup of Jo group conferences, and Lauren O. is a reputation that always comes up. A reader from the start, she has left many hilarious and heartwarming feedback (assume: “Cling unfastened my goose“, a birthday realization, and what occurred when she deleted Pokémon GO from her cellphone). Different readers have requested to be taught extra about her, so at this time we’re thrilled to function her one-bedroom Manhattan house, which she shares together with her husband, Joe, and two darling cats…
LIVING AREA
Chairs: classic Niels Otto Møller from Housing Works Thrift. Throw pillows: Pendleton. Stereo: “Joe’s audiophile ‘Frankensystem’ — it’s a Linn turntable on a customized plinth with a Leben amp beside it, and DeVore Constancy audio system.”
On shifting to New York: Joe and I come from San Francisco to Manhattan in 2003 in order that I might intern at a PR journal. We initially thought we’d simply keep for the summer time, so the transfer felt low strain. However then we sneaky fell in love with the town. Earlier than New York, I’d by no means actually discovered a metropolis that spoke to me. So, on the finish of my internship, after I was provided a full-time job, my reply was ‘After all.’
Crimson lamp on file shelf: Nicholas Furrow. File cabinets: “Joe and our good friend George made them.” Media heart: Design Inside Attain thrifted by way of Craigslist, comparable. Crimson lamp on espresso desk: Mantar.
On private type: Our design vibe is much like the Bergdorf Goodman vacation home windows, in the event that they had been made by and for raccoons, since we love shiny issues. I’d additionally describe it as a metropolitan goblin really feel — there’s a number of data, books, orbs, minerals and rocks.
Artwork mural: thrifted from Home Works. File shelf: CB2, comparable. Pink lamp: classic, by way of Furlong. Plant shelf: Ethnicraft. Espresso desk: Jordan Crowell. Crimson lamp: Mantar. Sectional: Saba Italia, comparable. Moth throw pillow: Timorous Beasties. Rug: Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris.
On bursts of colour: Earlier than the pandemic, there was undoubtedly much less colour within the house. However as soon as we had been caught right here on a regular basis, we wished to brighten issues up. Joe was truly the one who mentioned, ‘Now we have to get a pink sectional.’ So, we went for it.
On a journey custom: I used to volunteer on the Housing Works bookstore, and sooner or later a mysterious Frenchman got here in asking if we had any copies of George Orwell’s novel 1984. We pulled out all these totally different editions, and he was over the moon, saying that whereas touring, he at all times goes to native bookstores and asks for an version of 1984 from their nation. I assumed that was one of the best concept. The e book was printed in a zillion languages, and it has been launched in new editions. For those who learn the assorted introductions, folks love to border it when it comes to their nation’s present political second; it’s an fascinating lens by means of which to see different locations. I’ve now taken his custom on as my very own.
On fibre artwork: I am going by means of random phases the place I get the urge to make fibre artwork. I made a Debbie Harry portrait throughout our first summer time in New York, when Joe was as a paralegal and by no means house. A number of years later, I embroidered a portrait of David Bowie on a purse for a contest held by the now defunct purse model Rachel Nasvik. I ended up successful!
Lauren and Maya
On beloved cat kids: We adopted our cat Maddie in Anaheim, California, whereas I used to be down there visiting household. He had been a stray working round in some parking zone, and we discovered him on Petfinder. Then we adopted Maya a 12 months in the past. She was initially dwelling together with her 5 kittens in a kill shelter in Tennessee, after which in some way all of them ended up on Staten Island? The truth that she ended up there together with her infants at all times makes me giggle as a result of it jogs my memory of Madonna’s music video Papa Don’t Preach.
BEDROOM
Basket: Swahili African Trendy. Blue bench: West Elm. Tiger throw pillows: Williams Sonoma. Quilt: “A white West Elm comforter I bought on tremendous clearance after which tie-dyed and appliquéd with a bunch of quilting scraps.”
On a long-time love: Joe and I met 26 years in the past, whereas finding out overseas on the College of Oxford in England. For one in all our first dinners, he made me this improbable, difficult, vegetarian Thai soup — regardless that he lived in scholar housing with a crappy kitchen shared with a dozen folks, and he had to buy groceries in a small city within the early aughts the place good elements had been onerous to come back by. That gesture meant a lot to me as a result of previously, earlier boyfriends made me really feel like shit for being a vegetarian. Prefer it was a problem to work round. However Joe has at all times taken my wants critically and my eccentricities in stride — like after I wake him up in the midst of the night time as a result of I’m unhappy about the best way persons are imply to pigeons — and he at all times actually hears me and makes me really feel taken care of.
Gold dachshunds: classic by way of Atlantis Dwelling.
On favourite books: I’m ceaselessly recommending Kelly Hyperlink’s Magic for Learners, a collection of quick fantasy tales. You possibly can really feel your mind rising new wrinkles and buying new neural pathways as you learn. She’s simply so inventive and I’ve such a crush on the best way she places her tales collectively. I can’t think about anybody not discovering this e book magical.
Paint: Middleton Pink from Farrow & Ball. Mushroom throw pillow: John Derian for Goal. Mushroom print: David Shrigley. Wolf print: “From a competition in Montreal. I noticed them everywhere in the subway and ended up writing to the competition’s group asking if I might purchase one. They then despatched me a pair without cost.” Mattress: CB2. Velvet blue throw pillows: West Elm and Timorous Beasties. Brass bookcase: One Kings Lane, comparable.
On mushroom decor: It began with submitting a pitch to Mushroom Individuals Journal about an artist who made shrouds inoculated with mushroom spores that you could possibly be buried in. In concept, the mushroom would devour you. Placing that piece collectively ended up spurring a lifelong mushroom enthusiasm. I’m now a part of the New York Mycological Society, a bunch of citizen scientists and foragers who’re actually into mushrooms and tremendous beneficiant with their information. Now throughout walks, I fetch sticks with thrilling issues rising on them and current them to the extra knowledgeable members like a retriever with a Frisbee.
Brass bookcase: One Kings Lane, comparable.
On touring with mother and father: The image of the little lady is my mother. A pair years in the past, Joe and I began a convention of happening trip together with her and my stepdad Doug. Mother and I like strolling round all day, so we’ll placed on our cozy footwear and head out. Then Joe and Doug will go to a sports activities bar and chat about baseball factoids. For our first journey, we went to the U.Okay., and I discovered a lake in the midst of the Hampstead Heath that solely ladies can swim in. And regardless that it was November and freezing, my mother and I jumped in. After that, we determined we had been formally pond scum and needed to swim in all places we traveled. In Iceland, we went to the lagoons, and after we go to my sisters, we at all times decide a resort or trip rental with a pool.
ENTRYWAY
Credenza: classic. White lamp: Verner Panton. Rhino: gifted from her mom.
On particular items: My mom shocked me with this rhino for Christmas. She was an artwork historical past main who took a bunch of studio artwork lessons, like furniture- and rug-making programs. When she and my dad bought married, they had been as poor as church mice, so they principally made the whole lot of their house. Her factor was that if you happen to ponder one thing lengthy sufficient, you’ll be able to determine a cool technique to make it. She is an enormous affect on my sisters and me. We’re at all times questioning, ‘What can I make to go in our house?’ and ‘What can I make for different folks to indicate them how a lot I like them?’
KITCHEN
On working round outdated design decisions: Our kitchen could be very a lot not our type. However it was model new after we moved in and is in actually nice situation, so I can’t think about spending cash on ripping out the counters. As a workaround, I’ve added private touches. I’ve been switching out the cupboard knobs one after the other, so none of them match. Some are snails, some mushrooms, one is a resin knob with a bunch of moss inside. I additionally began drawing this mural. Altering the kitchen initially felt like an annoying activity, but it surely has became this house of giving myself permission to do no matter I need. And that’s been very liberating.
Thanks a lot, Lauren. We like you! By no means cease commenting!
P.S. Extra house excursions, together with a a reader’s ‘introvert nook’ and a yoga trainer whose Manhattan studio house is a love letter to ladies.
(Pictures by Christine Han for Cup of Jo.)