Lauren Harris grew up fascinated with her grandparents’ antiques.
“I can remember visiting their house and just looking at every little thing that they had, and they had a lot of little English antiques,” she said.
Although her Milton home was new, Harris’ interior choices connect to the past, influenced by the decor in her grandparents’ and mother’s homes, and her post-college travels to Europe.
Snapshot
Residents: Jeff and Lauren Harris, and their daughter, Emma Rose. Jeff is co-owner of Engineered Parts Sourcing; Lauren is owner of Lauren Harris Interiors (her blog is www.vintageaffair.me; her Instagram account is laurenharrisinteriors)
Location: Milton
Size: 3,600 square feet, five bedrooms, four baths
Year built/bought: 2013
Builder: Sharp Residential
Architectural style: Traditional
Favorite architectural elements: The columns and open floor plan with an abundance of windows
Renovations: Added built-ins and ceiling beams after moving in, along with lighting, paint and wallpaper
Cost of renovations: $12,000-$15,000
Contractor: Rick Littel
Interior design style: A mix of French Country, coastal and traditional Southern. "I love the lines of French provincial furniture and layered paint," she said. "I love the antiques but didn't want it to be stuffy."
Favorite interior design elements: Using lighting, wallpaper (such as vintage rose wallpaper in her daughter's bathroom) and custom textiles to set the new home apart. Accessories include vintage oil paintings, silver plates and platters, and old books and family photos. "I really enjoy buying pieces that are worn with time, as if they have lived before," she said. "I love to imagine where they have been, and who used them."
Favorite piece of furniture: The bed in the master bedroom. "My husband and I had wanted a statement piece for our bedroom for a long time. I fell in love with the design and scale of our bed. I love the mix of rustic wood and feminine appliques," she said.
Decor tip: Let your home be collected and not contrived. Take the time to find the perfect pieces, and shop at different places for unique furniture and accents.
Resources: Furniture from Uttermost, Sam Moore, Ballard Designs, Restoration Hardware; lamps from Zeugma Import, Shadesoflight.com, eBay, Pottery Barn, Scott Antique Markets and Cyan Design; accessories from HomeGoods, Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors in Alpharetta and Etsy.com
Coming next week: See interior designer Lauren Harris' work in a Dunwoody Colonial-style home featured in Private Quarters.
