Inside the Royal Mail Hotel with Lauren Egan
Lauren Egan is a Melbourne/Naarm based interior decorator specialising in creating homes that feel genuinely personal and thoughtfully curated.
Established in 2018, the studio works with discerning homeowners who understand that a beautiful home isn’t about following trends, it’s about creating spaces that reflect how you actually live.
Tell us how Lauren Egan Design first began and share a bit about your journey of your studio.
It came out of a bit of self reflection of where I was at in my career and what I wanted to do long term. I was working at a large multinational company in marketing and just felt as though I was working towards someone else’s goal other than my own. I decided to give a change in career a go and invested in some study in interior decoration and established myself in the design community. Slowly but surely I gained confidence and recognition for my work and am now working on so many cool projects.
“I’d say one of the highlights is the freedom that comes from designing a hospitality space. There’s an ability to turn up the volume on what you might do in someone’s home.”
Who or what are the main influences and inspiration behind your design style?
My influences change so often! I definitely have some stalwart designers that I love both Australian and international, but I would say that it’s more nuanced moments that are specific to the project that inspire my designs these days. Perhaps it’s the surrounds or place the project is in, even a fabric or artwork that has meaning to the client, or it could be an image I’ve seen in print or online that tells a story for that client. I try not to overcomplicate it or lean too heavily on a single style as each project is more about the client than achieving a look (though I do try and weave in a little bit of my aesthetic, which is typically why a client has sought me out).
Can you share one of the standout moments in your design career so far?
For sure it’s been really rewarding receiving nominations for awards as they are always judged by my peers. I’ve also been lucky enough to be included in online and print mags which is always hits you in the feels! But even something as small as being recommended to a client by a new client is so satisfying!
What were the key factors that led you to choose the furniture designs for your recent Royal Mail Hotel project?
The sitting room at the Royal Mail Hotel Homestead is inspired by 2 things. First, the environment, which is incredibly beautiful and choc full of colour nuances. And secondly, trying to harness that feeling where you finally hit the relax button with your friends on a weekend away, it needed to feel extremely comfortable and like you’d have to be torn away from the space. It also needed moments where you could relax by yourself in a comfy chair with a book and a glass of wine, or with 10 of your besties.
Can you walk us through how you selected the unique colour palette and texture for this project?
The environment was huge inspiration for this project. The Homestead sits at the foot of Mt Sturgeon and is surrounded by green and straw farmlands, mauve clay dirt roads and bluestone rocks. One specific reference was a section of Mt Sturgeon that reflects the sunset light off the rock cliff at the summit and glows gold. We used a golden/mustard tone on the sofa that matches this, which is a nice call back to place.
What were some of the challenges or highlights during this project?
I’d say one of the highlights is the freedom that comes from designing a hospitality space. There’s an ability to turn up the volume on what you might do in someone’s home. You still want it to feel welcoming and calm, but you can maybe take some risks with colour or layout that you wouldn’t necessarily do for a residential home.
How significant is it to use Australia-made pieces within your projects?
I’m really passionate about using Australian made. Goes without saying that it’s great to do this from an economy standpoint, but I think the quality standards are so much better when sourcing locally. I also love the ability to customise with fabrics, size and comfort, it makes a huge difference to have that flexibility.
Do you find your clients are becoming more interested in the origin and story behind the pieces that you select?
It’s interesting because I don’t think a client would select that as a top priority, but when you explain the origin story of a piece or they’ve been a part of the process of selecting a fabric it has a greater meaning. The fact that it’s made locally in Melbourne or that they’ve had a hand in personalising it, it will 100% be the detail they tell their friends about!
When selecting a sofa for a space, what is more important comfort, room lay out or aesthetics?
I think about this way more than I should. The answer is: all of them! Allow me to bang my own drum, but that’s really the secret sauce of an Interior Decorator because we have a relationship with suppliers and a more intimate knowledge of furniture pieces and how tweak them to make the perfect selections for comfort, lay out, aesthetics and budget.
What Molmic sofa would you have in your home?
Oof, so hard! My lounge room really needs a sofa with a solid base and I’m a real loungy, lounge kinda girl, give me depth and lotsa cushioning, something I can curl up in, so I would definitely go for a Shona, it has great proportions and is so comfy. I’d do it in the most delicious Design of The Times heavy linen in a neutral tone with some customised textured cushions. Heaven.
Interior Decoration: Lauren Egan Design
Photography: Glenn Hester
Project: Mt Sturgeon Homestead, Gariwerd @royalmailhotel