A designer worked to infuse a sense of history and multiple lifetimes into each space, transforming a Tennessee property into their personal vision of a European-style residence.
Lauren Sullivan's Modern European Home: A Blend of Past and Present
Designer Lauren Sullivan has created a unique home that seamlessly blends modern architecture with European influences and a love for antiques. Located in Southern Tennessee, the home features a quiet grandeur rooted in European tradition, with reclaimed materials, vintage textiles, and art that show visible age and texture.
The design collaboration between Lauren's interior design studio Well x Design and architects Brooks & Falotico aimed for a "Modern European" aesthetic that feels authentic rather than trying too hard. The mix of new construction and carefully selected aged elements creates a unique home that honors both heritage and modern living.
The home's exterior features steeply pitched roofs, limestone walls, tiny dormer windows, and copper gutters, giving it a storybook-like appearance. Inside, the home's architecture is adorned with vintage textiles, reclaimed stone, aged metals, and art with visible age and texture, aiming to give each room a sense of history.
Lauren's family played a significant role in the home's completion, helping with furniture placement, art hanging, and last-minute decisions. The living room features a vintage rug, Schumacher Fox Hollow fabric, Dudouyt chairs, and a mid-century Scandinavian light fixture. The kitchen, on the other hand, boasts Calacatta Paonazzo countertops and an integrated sink for practicality.
The home's design process taught Lauren about patience and the importance of making intentional decisions. She sourced many of the vintage finds for her home over several years, inspired by her childhood trips to antique markets with her grandma and her appreciation for authentic materials and craftsmanship.
Communication became crucial during the building process, with weekly check-ins held with the architects and builder. Lauren jokingly asked her architects to keep her in check during the project, emphasizing her design philosophy of contrast, not coordination, and the mixing of shapes and styles to create interesting and soulful spaces.
One of Lauren's favourite rooms is the entryway, a space that perfectly represents her style and the vision behind the whole home. It features a French tapestry, an 18th-century Italian console, vintage furniture, and custom millwork. The kitchen was designed with vertical storage maximized and kitchen islands designed with a furniture-like feel.
The home was built during the start of a worldwide pandemic, causing challenges and delays. However, the project's completion in 2020 marks a testament to Lauren's perseverance and her ability to create a personal and timeless space. The home feels incredibly personal, with many memories associated with its creation.
Lauren launched Well Found, a sourcing platform for antiques and vintage finds, inspired by her belief that truly personal homes aren't created overnight and that slow curation is essential. The home project showcases her dedication to this philosophy, creating a space that is both modern and timeless, personal and universal.
- Lauren Sullivan's home, a blend of Modern European and traditional elements, is a testament to the fusion of interior design styles in lifestyle and home-and-garden spaces, reflecting her love for antiques and home-improvement projects.
- Lauren's personal project, showcasing a unique amalgamation of vintage textiles, reclaimed materials, and antiques, is a platform for her philosophy in interior design, promoting slow curation and timeless aesthetics through the home-and-garden and home-improvement sectors.
