WHERE CRAFT MEETS INNOVATION

Hinsdale native Lauren Ashley Allan reflects on her award-winning studio’s recent expansion to downtown Chicago and the future of design.

When rising interior design star Lauren Ashley Allan (LAA) was featured in this publication five years ago, the Hinsdale native spoke about her vision for the future and the story she wanted to tell. Flash forward to 2026 and Lauren is not only on track with her goals but is now expanding to a new downtown Chicago headquarters that feels like a full circle moment.

In addition to receiving a prestigious first place historic renovation award from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for a project in Hinsdale, Lauren just announced that she will be expanding her design studio to the 1911 Holabird & Roche-designed Monroe Building at 104 S. Michigan Avenue—directly next to the institution where she earned her master’s degree in Architecture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and across the street from The Art Institute of Chicago Museum.

“It’s a special moment to be able to have our studio headquarters where Frank Lloyd Wright and many other prominent designers and photographers had their studios many years ago,” says Lauren, adding that the Monroe building is also where the skyscraper came of age. “It was a rare mix of artistry and emerging technology—a rebel ahead of its time.”

She has fond memories of walking this street and the museum galleries weekly while attending graduate school at SAIC.

“Coming back to this area feels exciting—like my home away from home and a natural extension to the work we are currently doing. It puts us in the middle of great sources for materials and inspiration for our clients,” says Lauren, who moved back to her hometown from Los Angeles in 2018 with husband, Graham. “Now with my family in Hinsdale, I feel a special connection with the Hinsdale community. My early years playing soccer at Hinsdale Central and going on to play D1 in college instilled a deep sense of discipline, teamwork, and commitment—values that shaped my path and ultimately drew me back to build both my life and my business here. We will keep our materials and boutique studio at 19 N. Grant Street. Our Hinsdale studio, called LAA Library, allows our team to seamlessly bridge both town and city for our clients.”

With more than two decades of interior design experience—including formative roles with Kelly Wearstler and Nate Berkus—Lauren has built a practice rooted in storytelling through design. She launched her eponymous design brand in 2020 in Hinsdale at the height of the pandemic with an announcement by Architectural Digest. Since then, her work for a diverse national clientele has won multiple awards and recognition by such publications as Architectural Digest, Vogue, and Business of Home.

When reflecting on her recent ASID award, Lauren says it was particularly meaningful to be able to honor the Hinsdale home’s historic roots while introducing modern, timeless elements that feel personal to the family living there.

“Every detail—from custom millwork, original hand painted wallpaper, to carefully curated materials—was chosen to celebrate craftsmanship and storytelling, reflecting how the clients truly live and connect in the space,” she says. “Winning the ASID first place award was an incredible honor, not just for the recognition, but because it affirmed our philosophy: that thoughtful, layered design can transform a house into a home and make a lasting impact on both people and place. It was a special moment for the clients who put their trust in us, the contractor, trades and our team.”

That award and the downtown Chicago expansion mark a milestone year of growth for LAA. She expects to maintain a dual presence between Chicago and Hinsdale as she continues to expand her brand through verticals like LAA Atelier where she launched her first candle that sold out in 24-hours. Her line of custom fabrics and wallcoverings will be launching later this fall—and LAA Future of Living where she has a platform to use her voice in the design community. Last year she was asked to speak around the country on various panels and at Universities from Hawaii, Detroit and Chicago to North Carolina.

“Our architecture and interior design studio is a crosspollination of creative disciplines. We do a lot of custom furniture and pattern work for our interior design projects, and LAA Atelier is a natural extension of work we are already doing in the studio,” she explains. “It’s important for us to listen to clients and grow thoughtfully in directions that feel true to the work we are doing.”

When it comes to bridging her residential and commercial design, ultimately, she prioritizes the ideas and collaborations that feel both timely and lasting—where innovation, craft, and human experience intersect in a meaningful way.

“I focus my creative energy where I have a true connection and there is the most meaningful opportunity to create impact—whether that’s through a client’s home, a commercial space, or a larger conversation within the design community,” she says. “Each platform serves as a different lens for storytelling, and I let curiosity and purpose guide my journey.”

And story is the key to everything she does and the legacy she is building, in the Chicago area and beyond. In a city shaped by architectural visionaries, LAA expresses a responsibility to create work that is both timeless and forward-thinking, blending tradition with new ideas in a way that feels authentic to this moment.

“At its core, this work is a reflection of my deep passion for design—a kind of lifelong love story—and something we are building together as a team, with the belief that meaningful design is always greater than any one individual,” she says, adding that her work contributes to Chicago’s architectural legacy by honoring its deep roots in craftsmanship and innovation. “For the next generation of designers, my goal is to demonstrate that there is power in embracing both artistry and evolution—that hand-drawn expression, materiality, and intuition can coexist with emerging tools like AI. I want to encourage young designers to stay curious and to trust their unique point of view while remaining open to new ideas and ways of working.”

While sometimes controversial, Lauren believes that AI is ultimately another tool for her design studio and that it can create a layer of opportunity for innovation. She took time to learn more about the intersection of design and AI last year at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and this year, she’s pursuing an Artificial Intelligence Professional Program at Stanford University.

“My approach to design is rooted in respect for craftsmanship, the authenticity of hand-drawn creative expression, and the artful process of making. At the same time, I have recognized the evolving cultural landscape and how AI could impact the future of our design process,” says Lauren. “This juxtaposition shows in our office spaces and the way we honor history. Our Hinsdale studio space is 116 years old and our Chicago studio space is 114 years old this year. This mix of old and new is so important. Utilizing cutting edge technology will ultimately allow us to better serve our clients, elevating our design process, while staying authentic to my design voice.”

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary this summer, Lauren says American interior design is poised to usher in a bold new era—one that’s deeply personal, culturally aware, and rooted in authenticity. Modern spaces need to reflect not just how we live, but who we are.

“There’s a renewed focus on wellness and human connection, creating environments that support how we feel, foster meaningful interactions, and bring a sense of calm, balance, and belonging to everyday life,” she explains. “At the heart of this work is my passion for design and a love story with the craft itself, built alongside a team, because the most meaningful spaces are created through collaboration and shared vision. Through our work, we look to impact the future of design by creating spaces that are timeless, innovative, and reflective of client’s stories—nurturing well-being and leaving a legacy that is bigger than any one person—rooted in creativity, connection, and purpose.”

As a wife, a mother to two young children, and as an entrepreneur, Lauren is no stranger to finding balance. But that’s exactly why keeping a presence close to home was so important to both her personal and professional life.

“We love the Hinsdale studio and the location is near client projects. Both our clients and collaborators have demanding schedules we want to remain mindful of. Clients in the area appreciate the option and sometimes prefer it over driving into the city,” she says, adding that she also looks forward to experiencing the best of both worlds. “On the other hand, now it will be nice to be able to work in our Chicago studio space, along with my team who all reside in the city, when we are sourcing downtown or working with a client in the city. For our out-of-state clients traveling to see us, the city studio puts us in the middle of many resources.”

She says that one thing the pandemic taught us is that we can work from anywhere, any time. Instead of approaching the expansion with a weekly timeline, she’s using the spaces as opportunities to be in person.

“It allows us to be creative and flexible, depending on our client’s schedules and project needs,” Lauren explains. “Being downtown means that we can also collaborate with the Art Museum and the University students more which is an initiative that has been important to me.”

Looking ahead, Lauren hopes to continue building on the vision she started with six years ago—never losing sight of how it all began and where the future will take her.

“I love what we do, and because of that, I carry a lot of gratitude. We care a lot about our clients and providing them with more than just a space, it’s a place they can call home,” she says.

For more information about Lauren Ashley Allan or to learn more about her new brand venture, visit laurenashleyallan.com or Instagram @Lauren.Ashley.Allan.