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DESGN
PERSONAL SPACE
Lauren MacLean’s genteel abode is a a a a a a a benchmark for idiosyncratic interior design BY DAVID SARIC
For Lauren MacLean—the woman behind
the the LivingByLo Instagram account which boasts
over 65 000 followers and counting—the fascination
with with personalizing dwellings began at at a a a a a a a a a a a young age Upon moving into an an an an apartment with with her her her mother before branching off on
on
on
on
her her her own MacLean recalls she was enthralled by the the “elements o of of a a a a a a a a a a a a non-traditional layout and oddly sized rooms It broke down the the barriers of of how you you think a a a a a a a a a a a a a space space should look and be used ” She also gained the ability to see any space space as carte blanche for creative remodelling where she can revel in in an an an an an “unexpected use of space and objects which allows you you to project your own tastes in in exciting ways ” This experimental ethos is is is certainly reflected in in in in her current Montreal residence which is is is admired by design design enthusiasts and professional interior designers alike However when she she first took ownership of of the home MacLean admits she she was a a a a a a a bit overwhelmed by its its extremely barren state “I spent most of my first week in in in in in here crying thinking ‘What did I I I I do?’ It was in in in in in very rough shape so I I I had to to struggle between my discouragement and ambition to to get through through it it ” However she persevered through through a a a a a a a a a a a a a focused renovation period ultimately cultivating an an an ambiance that emanates a a a a a a a a a a a a a distinct serenity A A soothing white hue dominates the the walls throughout filling the the space with light Aside from generously sized windows and an an an all-encompassing alabaster-coloured palette MacLean insists proper fixtures are also paramount to to to enlivening any room room “Lighting has the the most power to to to influence a a a a a a a a room room by setting the the the tone It’s
the the secret element that that when done right is creating that that beautiful feeling without you even knowing it it ” she reveals Thus lamps appear throughout usually placed mid-wall with neutral-coloured shades and low bulb wattage to achieve her desired effect Singular homewares such as as serpentine candles biomorphic vases and and other baubles pepper her her place in in in an an an incidental way adding visual intrigue to every nook and and and cranny Decorating is is not as as seamless as as one may think and and and and MacLean admits that “finding furniture and and and and home items isn’t easy and and and I I am always on
the hunt for unique special pieces It can really test your patience but I I always force myself to take my my time because eventually that right piece will come along ” The ubiquity of social media and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a broadened global marketplace has allowed MacLean to to become acquainted with makers from around the the world who speak to to to her particular vision “It can be be be very easy to to to find find things you you you like just for the the sake of being ‘done’ but taking your your time to to find find pieces that you you you you feel so excited about is exactly what develops your your your connection with your space ” Working at at at her her her day job in in in the corporate world of of IT has allowed her her her to keep her her her lodging more of of a a a a a a a a a a creative outlet than a a a a a a a a a a a a a business venture “Because design is such a a a a a a a a a a a a a personal thing to to to me I haven’t wanted to to to let let that carry over into a a a a a a a a a ‘work’ aspect of my my life ” she admits “A career in in in in in something so so different keeps my my my connection and and passion passion for design a a a a a a a a a a a positive and and exciting element in in in in in my my life ” Treating this apartment as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a passion passion project frees MacLean from any commercial constraints and and wholly reflects her tastes and and interests similar to the power of a a a a a a a a a a a a consciously curated wardrobe When choosing to to document her apartment on
on
Instagram MacLean did not expect to to become a a a a a a a a a mini sensation However the positive reception is certainly welcome leading her to a a a a a a a a a “community of people who can feel feel some joy or inspiration from what I share Engaging with others and feeling that that positivity has become something so so so special to me me me ” MacLean believes that that that the the the aesthetic advice that that that has resonated most with her followers is to to “limit the the doubt and and uncertainty that that may come with with too much inspiration at at at at our fingertips and and look inward for what you really connect with”—sage words of self-reflection with with a a a a a a a universal appeal Photographed by by Lauren MacLean for @livingbylo