During our Cup of Jo team discussions, we often rave about our readers, and Lauren O. frequently comes up. A loyal reader from the start, she has shared numerous funny and touching comments (like “Hang loose my goose,” a birthday epiphany, and what transpired when she removed Pokémon GO from her device). Other readers expressed interest in learning more about her, so today we are excited to showcase her one-bedroom Manhattan apartment, which she shares with her husband, Joe, and their two adorable cats…
LIVING AREA
Chairs: vintage Niels Otto Møller from Housing Works Thrift. Throw pillows: Pendleton. Stereo: “Joe’s audiophile ‘Frankensystem’— it features a Linn turntable on a custom base with a Leben amp nearby, along with DeVore Fidelity speakers.”
On relocating to New York: Joe and I moved from San Francisco to Manhattan in 2003 so I could intern at a PR magazine. Initially, we believed our stay would be temporary for just the summer, making it feel pressure-free. But then we unexpectedly fell for the city. Before New York, I had never truly found a city that resonated with me. So, when my internship ended and I was offered a full-time position, I responded with, ‘Of course.’
Red lamp on record shelf: Nicholas Furrow. Record shelves: “Joe and our friend George crafted them.” Media center: Design Within Reach sourced via Craigslist, similar model. Red lamp on coffee table: Mantar.
On personal style: Our design aesthetic resembles the holiday displays at Bergdorf Goodman, if they were conceived by raccoons, as we adore shiny elements. I’d also define it as having a metropolitan goblin ambiance — filled with records, books, orbs, minerals, and stones.
Art mural: thrifted from House Works. Record shelf: CB2, a similar item. Pink lamp: vintage, sourced via Furlong. Plant shelf: Ethnicraft. Coffee table: Jordan Crowell. Red lamp: Mantar. Sectional: Saba Italia, similar design. Moth throw pillow: Timorous Beasties. Rug: acquired from the Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris.
On vibrant colors: Prior to the pandemic, the apartment had noticeably less color. However, being confined at home made us want to add some brightness. Joe was actually the one who suggested, ‘We need to get a pink sectional.’ So, we embraced it.
On a travel tradition: I previously volunteered at the Housing Works bookstore, and one day a mysterious French gentleman inquired about editions of George Orwell’s novel 1984. We showed him various versions, and he was thrilled, sharing that while traveling, he always seeks out local bookstores for an edition of 1984 from that country. I thought that was such a wonderful idea. The book exists in countless languages and has been released in many new editions. Reading the different introductions often reflects the current political climate of different countries; it’s a fascinating perspective. I’ve now adopted this tradition as my own.
On fiber art: I go through random spells where I feel inspired to create fiber art. I crafted a portrait of Debbie Harry during our first summer in New York when Joe was busy working as a paralegal. A few years later, I embroidered a David Bowie portrait on a handbag for a contest by the now-defunct handbag label Rachel Nasvik, and I ended up winning!
Lauren and Maya
On cherished feline companions: We found our cat Maddie in Anaheim, California, while I was visiting family. He was a stray roaming a parking lot, and we discovered him through Petfinder. A year ago, we adopted Maya. She originally lived in a kill shelter in Tennessee with her five kittens, and somehow they all ended up on Staten Island? The fact that she and her babies found their way there always makes me chuckle, recalling Madonna’s music video for Papa Don’t Preach.
BEDROOM
Basket: Swahili African Modern. Blue bench: West Elm. Tiger throw pillows: Williams Sonoma. Duvet: “A white West Elm comforter I obtained at a super discount, which I then tie-dyed and embellished with various quilting scraps.”
On a lasting connection: Joe and I first met 26 years ago while studying abroad at the University of Oxford in England. For one of our initial dinners, he prepared an amazing, intricate vegetarian Thai soup — despite living in student housing with a terrible shared kitchen and having to shop in a small town where quality ingredients were scarce back then. That gesture meant a lot to me since previous boyfriends made me feel bad about being a vegetarian, treating it like an inconvenience. Joe has consistently embraced my needs and quirks — like when I wake him up at night because I’m upset about how people treat pigeons — and he genuinely listens and makes me feel cared for.
Gold dachshunds: vintage sourced from Atlantis Home.
On favorite reads: I constantly recommend Kelly Link’s Magic for Beginners, a collection of short fantasy tales. You can sense your brain forming new wrinkles and pathways while reading. She’s incredibly imaginative, and I have a significant admiration for how she constructs her stories. I can’t fathom anyone not finding this book enchanting.
Paint: Middleton Pink by Farrow & Ball. Mushroom throw pillow: John Derian for Target. Mushroom print: David Shrigley. Wolf print: “Acquired from a festival in Montreal; I saw them everywhere in the subway and ended up contacting the festival team to see if I could purchase one. They kindly sent me a few for free.” Bed: CB2. Velvet blue throw pillows: from West Elm and Timorous Beasties. Brass bookcase: One Kings Lane, similar style.
On mushroom decor: It began with a pitch I submitted to Mushroom People Magazine about an artist creating burial shrouds inoculated with mushroom spores. Ideally, the mushroom would decompose you. Writing that piece ignited a lifelong passion for mushrooms. Now I’m part of the New York Mycological Society, a community of citizen scientists and foragers enthusiastic about fungi and very generous with their expertise. During my walks, I retrieve sticks with intriguing growths and present them to the more knowledgeable members like a retriever with a toy.
Brass bookcase: One Kings Lane, similar style.
On family travel traditions: The image of the little girl is my mom. A couple of years ago, Joe and I began a tradition of vacationing with her and my stepdad Doug. My mom and I enjoy long walks, so we lace up our comfy shoes and venture out. Meanwhile, Joe and Doug prefer to visit a sports bar to chat about baseball trivia. For our inaugural trip, we headed to the U.K., where I discovered a lake in Hampstead Heath that is exclusively for women to swim in. Despite it being November and freezing, my mom and I took the plunge. From that moment on, we dubbed ourselves pond scum and made it a point to swim wherever we traveled. In Iceland, we explored the lagoons, and when visiting my sisters, we select accommodations with a pool.
ENTRYWAY
Credenza: vintage. White lamp: Verner Panton. Rhino: a gift from her mother.
On meaningful gifts: My family surprised me with this rhino for Christmas. My mother studied art history and took numerous studio art classes, including furniture and rug-making. When she and my dad got married, they were extremely poor, so they crafted nearly everything for their home. Her belief was that with enough contemplation, you could devise a creative way to make anything. She has greatly influenced my sisters and me, prompting us to ask, ‘What can I create to enhance our space?’ and ‘What can I create for others to express my affection for them?’
KITCHEN
On navigating outdated design: Our kitchen does not align with our style at all. However, it was brand new when we moved in and is in excellent condition, so I can’t justify spending on a renovation. As a solution, I’ve been incorporating personal elements. I’ve been replacing cabinet knobs one at a time, so they don’t match. Some are snails, some are mushrooms, and one is a resin knob filled with moss. I also started creating a mural. Initially, I viewed changing the kitchen as a frustrating chore, but it has transformed into a space where I feel free to express my creativity. And that has been incredibly liberating.
Thank you so much, Lauren. We adore you! Never cease commenting!
P.S. More home tours are on the way, including a reader’s ‘introvert nook’ and a yoga instructor whose Manhattan studio apartment is a love note to women.
(Photos by Christine Han for Cup of Jo.)
**Inside Lauren O.’s Manhattan Apartment: A Homage to Daily Practices and Personal Aesthetic**
Situated in the center of Manhattan’s West Village, Lauren O.’s apartment transcends mere living space—it’s a thoughtfully curated retreat that exemplifies her profound respect for daily practices, timeless design, and personal narratives. As a creative director and lifestyle influencer, Lauren has reimagined her two-bedroom prewar apartment into a seamless fusion of historic charm and contemporary design. Every inch narrates a tale, every piece serves a purpose, and every area honors the routines that define her life.
### A Home Embedded in Routine
For Lauren, her home serves not only as a resting space but a place to reconnect. “My apartment is crafted around the rituals that anchor me,” she clarifies. “From sipping my morning coffee to my evening skincare ritual, each detail is deliberate.”
Her mornings commence in the light-filled kitchen, where a vintage French press and handcrafted ceramic mugs rest on a marble surface. The aroma of freshly ground coffee permeates the air as she methodically navigates her morning routine. “I believe in starting the day gradually,” she shares. “It establishes the rhythm for everything else.”
In the evenings, Lauren finds solace in her reading nook—a snug space framed by towering bookshelves and a cherished leather armchair. A brass reading lamp emits a soft glow as she journals or reads, often while sipping herbal tea. “These habits are my grounding tools,” she says. “They keep me focused.”
### Aesthetic with Purpose
Lauren’s design ethos is grounded in the belief that aesthetics and utility can—and indeed should—coexist. Her apartment showcases a masterful interplay of textures, a mix of historical periods, and an embrace of imperfections. For instance, the living room features a mid-century Danish sofa draped in mohair, combined with a Moroccan rug and a 19th-century French mirror. “I adore items with a backstory,” she remarks. “They infuse character into a space.”
Color features subtly yet powerfully throughout the apartment. Soft neutral tones—creamy whites, warm taupes, and subtle greens—create an atmosphere of tranquility and unity. Bright spots of color emerge in surprising locations: a cobalt blue vase on the mantel, a rustic throw on the bed, and a collection of hand-painted plates in the kitchen.
Art also plays a critical role in Lauren’s personal aesthetic. Her walls display a mix of contemporary photography, abstract works, and vintage prints. “I collect pieces that evoke emotion,” she expresses. “Art should stir feelings.”
### The Importance of Personal Elements
What distinctly distinguishes Lauren’s apartment is its reflection of her persona. From handwritten notes tacked to a corkboard in the hallway to seashells collected from childhood trips, every object narrates a story. “I don’t subscribe to decorating merely for aesthetic purposes,” she states. “Your home should mirror your life.”
In the bedroom, a linen-clad headboard and antique nightstands cultivate a peaceful retreat. A small stack of poetry books rests on the windowsill, while a vintage perfume bottle gleams in the morning light. “This is my space for rejuvenation,” she states. “It’s my most intimate sanctuary.”
Even the bathroom is intentionally designed, featuring apothecary jars stocked with bath salts, a curated array of skincare products, and a framed quote by Virginia Woolf. “Self-care transcends products; it’s about creating a space that nurtures your well-being,” Lauren observes.
### A Dynamic Space
Lauren O.’s Manhattan apartment is not static; it evolves alongside her. “I’m perpetually editing, always refining,” she states. “As I develop, so does my space.” This philosophy is reflected in how she seasonal rearranges furniture, rotates artworks, and incorporates new discoveries from her travels.
Ultimately, Lauren’s home is a tribute to the essence of intentional living. It’s a domain that celebrates the beauty of the mundane, honors personal expression, and serves as a reminder that the most significant designs stem from the rituals that shape our lives.
**“Home,” Lauren states, “is where your spirit feels acknowledged.”**
