getting to know lauren and nicole of interior design studio – inn.
Established in March 2021, Mollymook-based Inn Studio have hit the ground running, moving seamlessly between spaces of residence and retail all the while maintaining their signature style; sophisticated, neutral simplicity.
A business partnering that began in friendship, Nicole Garner and Lauren Price of Inn met ten years ago in Sydney.
As they navigated early motherhood (both are mums of two boys) they continued to stay in contact, and when Nicole and her family relocated to the south coast earlier this year (Lauren having already made a sea change three years ago), they formalised their partnership and Inn was born.
The girls imbue their friendship; finishing each other’s sentences and laughing through their highs and lows of that notorious first year of business, not to mention navigating a pandemic. There’s certainly a sense they were both in the right place at the right time, not just for their company but also the local area. As we enter a new post-covid era the rise in regional populations has been significant, creating local opportunities that Inn are excited to embrace.
Having perused their crisp Instagram feed, it’s a delight to visit Nicole’s family beachside home and see the Inn aesthetic in real life. Their restraint when it comes to not only interiors but also fashion is something to be noted. Built next to a natural reserve, large windows in the house frame the bush while the main living area is flooded with natural light, making it the perfect location to capture the girls.
Inn’s slate of projects spans a mix of residential and commercial with their longer term goal of working with as many local clients as possible. That commitment to working locally has already sparked a successful collaboration with Comunete in the form of bespoke, handmade furniture pieces. “We had a brief that fitted really well with Comunete and their timeless aesthetic. Greer and Aaron immediately understood, and it was a seamless process.” After such a successful collaboration it’s clear to see the way in which both businesses align not only visually but in their commitment for supporting local.
So what’s next for this influential pair? There are several exciting new projects on the horizon, yet to be announced. Plus Lauren has her own family home to design and build and both are resolved to try and maintain a work / family balance while their children are little; “We officially spend three days a week together but then we’re communicating constantly…. our business is part-time, but we’re on seven days. We enjoy it so much.”
Inn Studio have recently launched a new website , visit their Instagram here
Words: Leonie Marsh for Comunete.
Imagery: Comunete
featured objects:
nicole wears bassike cutaway tank in white, with contrast waffle track pant, lauren wears the black cutaway tank dress with the rib knit flared tights. nicole’s work space: flower pot lamp in matt white, evocative style by kelly wearstler, the local project, scent: ayu perfumed oil sufi and rose face mist.