Lauren and Chad’s Vintage Comfort

Name: Lauren Naimola and Chad Pratt, plus their two cats
Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Size: 2,100 square feet
Years Lived In: 12; Owned

Welcome to Lauren and Chad’s bright and textural Michigan home! Lauren is proprietress of the impeccably curated vintage shop Dear Golden, and it’s no surprise that the couple’s home is every bit as stunning and refined as her store.

A master at weaving together eclectic styles, Lauren fills her home with textured finds and mid-century modern pieces. Kilim rugs, plants, and macrame abound. The overall neutral palette maximizes the Michigan light and gives the home an airy and bright feel that is reminiscent of homes in California.

If you are in the Ypsilanti area, be sure to stop by Dear Golden for some seriously gorgeous vintage. Lauren also constantly updates her online shop, and you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

My Style: Textural, 1970s, mid-century, an Art History professor’s house in 1978.

Inspiration: Joni Mitchell, the interiors of apartments in Manhattan in 1970s Woody Allen films, Glenn Gould, various older women I have known throughout my life.

Favorite Element: That the entire first floor is circular — each room leads to another and you are never “stuck” at the end of the house.

Biggest Challenge: Since the house was built in 1924, it has a very traditional layout, complete with a large dining room which goes pretty much unused. Along with this is a long and narrow living room that isn’t the best for media. Thankfully we only have a turntable and hi-fi, so we don’t need a bonafide TV-watching space.

What Friends Say: Instead of guessing or paraphrasing, I asked our friend Amy and she said: “Your home is an ever-evolving reflection of your excellent taste; its era or “style” is not pin-downable, but it all works so effortlessly. When I visit, I take everything in anew each time, from the plants to the vintage art and textiles (not to mention the great ceramic collection). Your house (the kitchen, especially) is bright and airy. I feel equally welcome to attend a well-cocktailed and dj’ed party or stop by on any given day, let myself in, stick my head in your fridge and see what I can snack on. There is often sun tea or a soup or the like already prepared. It’s clear from the textures, sights, smells and tastes, that you absolutely love your home.”

Biggest Embarrassment: The sunroom. It used to be a nice space, but it has become my office and been taken over by clothing racks for my vintage shop, Dear Golden. I have since moved my shop to a brick and mortar space downtown, but the clothing racks remain so I continue to use them. The other half of the room is a very messy space my husband has claimed for his turntables and records. Hence, no photos of the sunroom!

Proudest DIY: When we first bought the house, we stripped all the white paint from the downstairs woodwork. It was laborious and extremely time‐consuming, but worth it!

Biggest Indulgence: The Eames chair, an original from the first year they came out, 1956.

Best Advice: Take a lot of time to let your space develop. Be patient. Our house changes all the time. I am constantly storing art and textiles and rotating other pieces in. Also, be okay with things not being perfect or just as you want them — your home should evolve as you do.

Everything decorative in the house is either thrifted or from an antique shop, estate sale or Craigslist. I’m a hunter of old things!

Thanks, Lauren and Chad!

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