Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Finley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My interest in interior styling came from my family, my eye for design, and my career in marketing + graphics.
My grandfather was a construction worker in Turks and Caicos. He taught my mother everything she knows about homes — from foundation to cutting tile. I remember always following my mother around Home Depot and dreading it. She would teach me about drywall and paint types at such a young age. Now, at 27, anything home-related makes me excited. Home projects inspire me, and I could be in any home improvement store for hours. All thanks to my mom.
The Archive Design Studio is an interior styling studio designed to work with what you already own — your archive. Repurposing + reusing is something I do in my own home, and I want to help other young professionals do the same.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges with The Archive has been myself — and something we all may know as imposter syndrome.
Technically, you don’t need a degree or certification to style homes (full-service interior design is another story), but I often doubt my own skills or have the belief my skills are inadequate with my lack of interior design education + styling hours.
With imposter syndrome, it’s very easy to self-sabotage. I’m learning day by day that I have the skills to succeed in this industry. I just have to believe in myself + my eye for design.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Archive Design Studio is an interior styling studio based here in Atlanta. It began as an idea to help young professionals design an elevated space that feels like home. But the name means so much more than that.
The term “The Archive” comes from pulling + designing with pieces you already own — the idea of repurposing and upcycling. I’ve always loved a good DIY, so I decided to make it possible with my own clients.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
As an interior stylist, I take a risk with each project. From choosing hardwood floors to sourcing the perfect end table, there is always a chance my client may not like my choice. There are also just so many unpredictable factors with each project — the bones of the home, contractors, etc.
I have to use my knowledge, expertise, design eye, and even my marketing education to minimize that risk.
Contact Info:
- Email: lauren@thearchive.design
- Website: www.thearchive.design
- Instagram: @thearchivedesign
- Other: Personal Instagram: @leaux.xo
Image Credits
@seanbartley
