Every so often during our team chats at Cup of Jo, the name Lauren O. comes up with a smile. She’s been with us from the start, dropping witty, heartfelt comments that feel like little gifts—whether it’s her cheeky “Hang loose my goose,” a birthday epiphany, or her tale about deleting Pokémon GO from her phone. Readers have often asked to know more about her, so today we’re delighted to open the door to Lauren’s one-bedroom Manhattan apartment, shared with her husband Joe and their two lovable cats.
A Living Room That’s Equal Parts Vintage Treasure and Metropolitan Goblin
Lauren and Joe’s living room is a carefully curated blend of shiny oddities and comfortable classics. Vintage chairs by Niels Otto Møller—rescued from a thrift shop—sit alongside Pendleton throw pillows, lending warmth and character. Joe’s “audiophile Frankensystem” is no ordinary stereo setup: a Linn turntable perched on a custom plinth, paired with a Leben amplifier and DeVore Fidelity speakers, showing how seriously music is taken here.
The couple’s journey to New York began in 2003 with a summer internship that turned into a lifelong romance—not just with the city but with each other. “Before New York, I’d never found a city that really spoke to me,” Lauren recalls. When a full-time job offer came at the end of her internship, the answer was an enthusiastic “Of course.”
Their style? Lauren describes it as “like the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows, if they were made by and for raccoons.” It’s a metropolitan goblin vibe—packed with records, books, orbs, minerals, and shiny things that spark joy. Over time, bursts of color have crept in, especially during the pandemic. Joe suggested a bold pink sectional, and it quickly became a centerpiece—proof that even in the city’s greyest moments, a splash of color can lift the spirit.
Traditions, Textures, and Tiny Marvels
One of Lauren’s most treasured traditions started with a chance encounter at a bookstore. While volunteering at the Housing Works bookstore, a mysterious French traveler asked if they had any editions of George Orwell’s 1984. He explained that wherever he traveled, he collected a copy of 1984 published in that country, fascinated by the varied introductions that reflect each nation’s political moment. Inspired, Lauren adopted the practice—now her collection is a unique lens on the world’s diverse cultures.
Her creative streak extends to fiber art too. During her early New York days, when Joe was working long hours as a paralegal, she embroidered a Debbie Harry portrait. Later, she stitched a David Bowie portrait on a handbag, which won a contest. These tactile, personal projects add layers of meaning to their home.
Cat Tales and Cozy Corners
Their cat family has an equally compelling story. Matty, adopted from Anaheim, California, and Maya, rescued from a shelter on Staten Island, bring playful life to the apartment. Maya’s journey—from a kill shelter in Tennessee to Staten Island—reminds Lauren of Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach video, a quirky detail that reflects the family’s affectionate humor.
In the bedroom, Lauren’s personal touches shine. A tie-dyed and appliquéd West Elm comforter, vintage gold dachshund figurines, and a brass bookcase filled with favorites—including Kelly Link’s Magic for Beginners, a book Lauren swears sparks “new wrinkles” in your brain—create a sanctuary filled with stories and personality.
Mushrooms are a recurring motif in their decor, a passion sparked by an article Lauren wrote about burial shrouds inoculated with mushroom spores. Now, as a member of the New York Mycological Society, she and Joe collect interesting fungi on walks, presenting their finds like excited retrievers bringing back frisbees.
Family Rituals and Playful Rebellion
Lauren and Joe’s connection goes back 26 years, to when they met as students abroad at Oxford. One of their earliest memories is a vegetarian Thai soup Joe made, despite limited resources and a shared student kitchen. It was more than a meal—it was a gesture of care and acceptance, a reminder of how Joe embraced Lauren’s quirks and needs, from vegetarianism to middle-of-the-night worries about pigeons.
Travel with family is another ritual. Lauren’s mother and stepdad join them on trips filled with long walks and quirky adventures—like swimming in a women-only pond in Hampstead Heath on a freezing November day. These moments, both joyful and slightly rebellious, weave a tapestry of connection and tradition.
A Kitchen of Quirks and Creative Freedom
Their kitchen might not have been their style—modern, brand-new, and a bit sterile—but Lauren has made it her own playground. She swaps out cabinet knobs one by one, never matching: a snail here, a mushroom there, a resin knob with moss inside. She’s even started drawing a mural, turning what felt like a chore into an act of creative liberation.
Lauren O.’s Manhattan apartment is more than a home; it’s a love letter to rituals, personal quirks, and a life lived with curiosity and heart. From the vintage treasures and mushroom fascinations to cat stories and family adventures, every corner reflects a story worth telling.
Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your world—and for all the thoughtful comments that make our community richer. Keep them coming!
