Lauren O. is a beloved reader of the Cup of Jo blog, and today we’re thrilled to feature her one-bedroom Manhattan apartment.
Lauren O. is a name that often comes up in our Cup of Jo team meetings. A reader from the beginning, she has left many hilarious and heartwarming comments (think: “Hang loose my goose “, a birthday realization , and what happened when she deleted Pokémon GO from her phone ). Other readers have asked to learn more about her, so today we’re thrilled to feature her one-bedroom Manhattan apartment, which she shares with her husband, Joe, and two darling cats.
A Beloved Reader’s Home
Lauren’s apartment is a love letter to rituals and eccentricities. The design vibe is similar to the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows, if they were made by and for raccoons, since Lauren and her husband, Joe, love shiny things. They’d also describe it as a metropolitan goblin feel — there’s lots of records, books, orbs, minerals, and rocks.
[Image description: A photo of the living room, featuring a vintage Niels Otto Møller chair, Pendleton throw pillows, and a stereo system built by Joe.]
The living room is a treasure trove of eclectic decor. They’ve curated a selection of vintage and modern items, including a vintage Niels Otto Møller chair, Pendleton throw pillows, and a stereo system built by Joe, which he lovingly refers to as his “Frankensystem.”
Before the pandemic, the apartment had a more subdued color palette. However, once they were stuck at home, they wanted to brighten things up. Joe was the driving force behind the addition of a pink sectional, which has become a statement piece in the room.
A Travel Tradition
Lauren’s love of travel and exploration is evident in her apartment. She used to volunteer at the Housing Works bookstore, where she met a mysterious Frenchman who shared a fascinating travel tradition. Whenever he traveled, he would visit local bookstores and ask for an edition of George Orwell’s novel 1984 from their country. This idea stuck with Lauren, and she now takes on this tradition herself.
[Image description: A photo of a bookshelf featuring various editions of 1984, including a rare French edition.]
Lauren’s bookshelf is a testament to her love of literature and travel. She has collected various editions of 1984 from around the world, each one telling a unique story about the country where it was published.
A Fiber Art Enthusiast
Lauren is also a fiber art enthusiast, and her apartment reflects this passion. She has created a range of fiber art pieces, including a Debbie Harry portrait and a David Bowie portrait on a handbag. Her most recent project was a Debbie Harry portrait, which she made during their first summer in New York, when Joe was working as a paralegal and never home.
[Image description: A photo of Lauren’s fiber art piece, a Debbie Harry portrait on a handbag.]
Lauren’s fiber art pieces are not only beautiful but also tell a story about her life and experiences.
Beloved Cat Children
Lauren and Joe are cat lovers, and their apartment is a testament to their love for their feline friends. They adopted their cat Matty in Anaheim, California, while Lauren was visiting family. Matty had been a stray running around in a parking lot, and they found him on Petfinder. A year later, they adopted Maya, who was originally living with her five kittens in a kill shelter in Tennessee.
[Image description: A photo of Matty and Maya, the two beloved cats.]
Lauren’s story about adopting Maya is heartwarming, and she often jokes that it reminds her of Madonna’s music video Papa Don’t Preach.
A Manhattan Apartment Love Letter
Lauren’s apartment is a love letter to rituals and eccentricities. It’s a reflection of her unique design style, eclectic decor, and heartwarming stories. From her fiber art pieces to her beloved cat children, every aspect of her apartment tells a story about her life and experiences.
As we explore Lauren’s apartment, we’re reminded that home is not just a physical space but also a reflection of our values, interests, and passions. Lauren’s apartment is a testament to the power of love, ritual, and eccentricity, and we’re grateful to have her as a part of the Cup of Jo community.
Verdict: Lauren’s Manhattan apartment is a love letter to rituals and eccentricities. It’s a unique and eclectic space that reflects her design style, interests, and passions. As we explore her apartment, we’re reminded of the importance of love, ritual, and eccentricity in making a house a home.
