This Downtown High-Rise Was “Dated and Dull,” but Now Has Lots of Personality

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Apartment

LOCATION: Houston, Texas

STYLE: Maximalist, Minimal, Modern

BEDROOMS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 913

“Living downtown in a high-rise has always been a dream of mine,” begins Lauren Ashley, the founder and CEO of Lauren Ashley Experiences, a design firm specializing in “creating livable spaces that inspire clients to be their authentic selves.”

“I never had the desire for a traditional home with a front yard and back yard to maintain,” she continues. “While I was initially hesitant, I was eventually persuaded to consider a property like this, and I’m so glad I did. I wanted a space that offered minimal maintenance, and when the right opportunity came along I seized it.”

“This particular high-rise was the perfect fit for me, offering a central location right in the heart of the city, which placed me in close proximity to my clients. The modern, contemporary finishes — like the sleek wood-style cabinets and luxury vinyl flooring throughout — were exactly what I was looking for. But the real highlight was the view — it was the kind of panoramic cityscape I had always dreamed of.”

Lauren says that before she moved in this space was “dated and dull and in desperate need of a refresh.” Now it has lots of character and is “inviting and full of color and personality, and it tells a story.”

But designing the home wasn’t without any difficulties. “The biggest challenge with this apartment was that, as a designer, I became my own worst client. I had this vision of perfection in my head, and I couldn’t shake it,” she writes. “Over time, I’ve learned to let go of the idea that everything in my own home has to be ‘finished’ to be enjoyed. This space is still evolving, and that’s OK — design is a process, not a deadline. Each new piece I add … brings me joy and tells a story.”

Lauren recently had to say goodbye to this dream space and move to a studio apartment, which she says has been an emotional journey and a downsizing challenge. “We grow so close to our homes — they become a part of us, so the decision to move out and adjust to a new smaller space brought up feelings of grief for this apartment,” she writes. “While it hasn’t been easy, it’s been a reminder there is light at the end of the tunnel and with every change in life — whether it’s a new housemate, partner, apartment, or home purchase — there are opportunities for growth. Regardless of where you land, it’s all about the journey and making a space a true reflection of you.”

Resources

PAINT & COLORS

• Living Room — Clare Paint “Daily Greens”

ENTRY

• Frames — Crate & Barrel

• Marshall Key Holder — Amazon

• Rug — Art & Loom

• Large Wall Art — Andonnia of Annlettered

• Small Wall Art — Sew Trill Cristina Martinez

LIVING ROOM

• Rug — CB2

• End Table — Unique Arts

• Vintage Frames — Unique Arts

• Console Table — Four Hands

• Accent Chair — World Market

• Yellow Lamp — HomeGoods

BEDROOM

• Bed — Crate & Barrel

• Sun Art — Urban Outfitters

• Accent Chair — Four Hands

• Rug — Loloi Ellen Degenres Collection

Thanks, Lauren!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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Further Reading

I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered

I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)

See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room