Weaving Beauty With Practicality

Whether through tiny details or major renovations, one of the joys of design is creating a space that feels like home. For Lauren and Blake England, home design has been both a lifeline and an opportunity for self-expression that perfectly accommodates their family. With a high-spirited toddler, Rosie, and a friendly giant golden retriever, Ted, the Englands have found a way to marry beauty with practicality.

Lauren and Blake spent several years traveling and living out-of-state before deciding to make their return to the Southeast. “We found and purchased our first home in August of 2020, coincidentally the same month we got married,” Lauren shares. They were drawn to the walkability of the neighborhood and its centrality within Chattanooga. The Englands are self-identifying homebodies, and they knew they wanted their home to reflect a cozy, welcoming lifestyle. “We just really enjoy simple things and slow living. I want people to walk into our home and immediately feel comfortable,” Lauren says.

With a new build, there were plenty of opportunities for the pair to impress their personal flourishes upon the house. “We started doing projects pretty much immediately upon moving in,” she adds. “It was such a fun outlet to have in the middle of the pandemic and has continued to stimulate my creativity ever since.”

One area Lauren wanted to elevate is the entryway, where guests are greeted with a decorative and functional sideboard vignette. Here, woven baskets and hooks along the wall perimeter offer stylish storage options. “Now that we have a 2-year-old, function in design has become even more important,” Lauren says. “I’ve been intentional about finding creative ways to organize and hide clutter.” They also opted to add beadboard wainscoting to the entryway, creating a richly textured backdrop that extends into the main area of the living room.

Mindful décor is a motif throughout the home, including multi-modal furniture that can accommodate the many needs of a young family. “Lauren is really good at making spaces functional like that, and you would never notice,” Blake says. For example, Lauren worked with her father to upcycle the bookcase in the hall, and the green velvet drapes are an elegant touch to draw the eye away from any clutter. In the living area, the sleek mid-century modern coffee table also has cleverly concealed storage compartments. These creative solutions help keep a busy house in order without sacrificing aesthetic preferences for minimalism and clean lines.

Even Rosie’s play area by the hearth has a touch of Lauren’s decorative hand. “Rosie’s tent is the perfect place to keep all of her toys when she’s not using them,” Lauren says. “It’s also where she makes us tea and reads her books.” Rosie’s set is complete with a thrifted miniature rocking chair and a table and chairs that were Lauren’s when she was a child, making tea time all the more special.

Lauren tends toward a breezy and serene Scandinavian style – “clean lines, organic materials, and textures.” From plush textiles and bamboo shades to stone and ceramic décor, each material layers a sense of character to the space. With this cohesive design, the main living areas are drawn together seamlessly. “Since our home is open concept, everything happens in that one big space. We love dance parties and baking things on the weekends – I’ll be in the kitchen while Rosie and Blake are playing just a few feet away.”

The kitchen area is streamlined and shines with several high-end finishes, from leathered granite countertops to glossy subway tile and sleek cabinetry. The Englands decided to take it up a notch by installing a buffet sideboard, complete with wooden shelves – which were made by Blake as a wedding gift to Lauren – and plenty of space to hang easy-access kitchen items. These small details make all the difference in improving flow in high-traffic spaces and offering areas to showcase decorative items like art, plants, and glassware.

Another special area in the home is the nursery. Lauren and Blake poured a lot of love into this space, making sure it felt welcoming and fit for a little one’s imagination. Lauren painted a dreamy accent wall with clouds, matched in theme by a hanging wicker hot air balloon and lightweight drapes. Neutral-toned, lush furnishings contribute to the airy effect, and floating shelves and racks display Rosie’s books and stylish outfits.

Last but certainly not least, the primary suite also reveals Lauren’s eye for natural and comfortable design in cohesion with the rest of the home. This space has a touch of a coastal feel with the inclusion of wall paneling and warm, neutral tones throughout. A love for textures shines through the furnishings and décor, blending wood tones, leather, stone, and metallic accents, while a smattering of houseplants creates a relaxing background of greenery. On nice evenings, the second-story porch is a perfect spot to unwind and soak in the ambience of the neighborhood.

Equally adaptable for hosting or a cozy family movie night, every corner of the England home is imbued with love and intention. “I’ve loved learning about design and how things are built,” Lauren reflects. “My husband, dad, and I have spent so much time creating almost everything in the main living area. I’m so proud of what we’ve made and am constantly thinking about what’s next!”