bedding basics / January 16, 2015 by Lauren Andrews

Currently I am working on a guest bedroom for a client, and it got me thinking.... Bedding is basically the most personal piece of the puzzle for a room, but to me one of the most important. Your bedding dictates the tone of your bedroom. I think that it is critical to create a focal point with your bedding that brings a smile to your face every time you retreat to that space. So here are a few basic tips that I use ....

Keep your bedding bright, with mostly white pieces. Introduce color through piped sheets, colorful shams and throws, or trimmed pillows. There is something about white in a bedroom that feels pure and inviting. Maintain balance between neutral and colorful pieces to create calm.

There are a ton of different ways to arrange bedding. So where to start? My favorite is the traditional approach (on a king) - 2 king pillowcases, 3 euro shams, 2 king shams, coverlet, and duvet cover. You have presence on a bed with this arrangement, and added softness with the duvet cover and shams. There are definitely beautiful ways to modify this down, like the images above and below. If you hate excessive pillows, then edit this approach to just have pillowcases, shams, and a coverlet with a colorful throw.

It is amazing what an impact bedding can make on a bedroom!

If you need help pulling together your space, call Lauren Andrews Design at 404-989-2386.

common mistakes monday / January 12, 2015 by Lauren Andrews

More often than not, I run across spaces where the rug is clearly too small. My rule of thumb is the larger the better. Typically, I take custom rugs a foot off of each wall, but when dealing with ready-made rugs you can still use this as a guide. As long as you are defining the space appropriately with all of the furniture on the rug, it will work. It is amazing how a proportional rug grounds the space and warms it up.

If you need help pulling together your space, call Lauren Andrews Design at 404-989-2386.

wallpaper wall flower / January 9, 2015 by Lauren Andrews

Anyone that has worked with me knows about my great obsession for wallpaper. I love all types, but I don't fall for just any old paper. I live for grasscloths and textures, swoon over fun, bright patterns in small spaces, and covet the gorgeous likes of Gracie and de Gournay.

So here are a few of my favorites to take you into the weekend....

Timothy Whealon; Phillip Jeffries Wallpaper

If you need help pulling together your space, call Lauren Andrews Design at 404-989-2386.

:: happy new year :: / January 8, 2015 by Lauren Andrews

It seems as if I have taken a little hiatus from blogging over the past two months! And by hiatus, I mean swept up in the madness of the holidays. But I am finally crawling out from underneath all of the glitter and garland to bring it back to the blog!

Since this is the season for reflection and goal setting, I thought I would share some of my thoughts and inspiration for this upcoming year!

First, and most importantly, I want to continue to grow Lauren Andrews Design. I have been fortunate in starting my own business to have some great projects carry me through the New Year, but I am constantly looking forward. I am excited for what 2015 has to offer and hope to do great work for great clients this year!

A couple specific design-related items include: getting involved in more construction-related projects, completing my NCIDQ certification (2/3 of the way there!) to obtain my license, and maybe (just maybe!) participate in a showhouse like the one below :). The last one may be a stretch, but you never know!

Lanah Jackson, Robert Brown Interior Design

Second on the list is travel! Exploring the world feeds the soul, and in order to grow as a designer and a person it is important to consistently travel. I love the energy and inspiration that you gain from visiting a new place and immersing yourself in another culture. This doesn't necessarily mean internationally because you can easily find inspiration anywhere. However, I do have my eye on a few places across the globe. More on that later!

All-in-all it looks like a promising year and I can't wait to share the ride with everyone!

If you need help pulling together your space, call Lauren Andrews Design at 404-989-2386.

common mistakes monday / November 17, 2014 by Lauren Andrews

Scale seems to be a difficult concept to grasp for many, but it is critical when creating a balanced space. Have you every walked into a room and felt like the light fixtures were completely dwarfed?

When it comes to lighting, volume is the most important aspect to take into consideration. Many people shop for fixtures and the height and width may work, but once installed it feels underwhelming. This is because the fixture does not have enough weight or presence. If the fixture is majority glass, like a lantern, or has thin arms, like a chandelier, then push the boundaries with the scale. Take it larger than you normally would because it will go from being just a light fixture to a show stopping focal point.

There is something that feels so right about the size of these lights and it is because they are all grounded, whether with a table, seating arrangement, or kitchen island. Again, it is all about balance. If you are unsure about the scale of your light fixture, create a little mock up with construction paper. Even the professionals have to do that every once in a while. So don't be afraid to explore your options with scale to liven up your spaces!

If you need help pulling together your space, call Lauren Andrews Design at 404-989-2386.