Let me introduce you to my friend Jennie- a brilliant designer and owner of Recluse Home. She's a Craigslist connoisseur, vintage rug addict and interior stylist based in East Nashville. I've always been drawn to her style and philosophy of combining the new and old treasures. So excited to share her story and thoughts on design! You will love following her here: @jlynnlorenz! And a huge thanks to Abby Coyle for the gorgeous photos of Jennie's home!
My mother, for starters! Growing up, we were always re-arranging and re-decorating the house. It gave me an appreciation for how much your space affects your behavior – with resting, entertaining, working. Living in Atlanta for college really introduced me to the professional design world. Antique shops have always been my jam, and any free time I had was spent browsing furniture and home decor.
How has the switch to business owner changed your perspective + work flow?
It forced me to press the “reset” button and re-evaluate my motivations. There’s no one else reminding me of priorities. Every morning I write out my to-do lists for the day along with bigger picture items for the week. I’m admittedly one of those people who writes random things down that I’ve already completed just so I can check them off the list. I’ve learned that to stay inspired and keep honing my personal aesthetic I need to regularly take time to design (imaginary) spaces just for fun.
What makes you come alive as a designer?
Antiques, always! With our generation shopping online and being more price conscious, we’ve sacrificed a lot of quality and character – so it’s important to bring those unique pieces in to give a house a sense of depth. I work best with neutrals and moodier color palettes, but I love working with a variety of client styles.
I’m no good at romance but I do consider myself a furniture matchmaker.
In Nashville, Gaslamp Antiques is my go-to store for the thrill of the hunt. Goodlettsville Antique Mall is a well-kept secret for less expensive finds.
How do you weave together your business side + creative side?
Fortunately I went to business school for undergrad – I wasn’t sure what career I’d end up in but knew I needed a foundation in marketing and general business administration to balance my creative side. I have to do a gut-check on my particular creative skills and how I can serve my clients with them to keep the business moving. A lot of people can put together a cool space with a hefty budget – so what sets me apart and creates value for my clients is hunting down pieces for a fraction of the cost.
Tell us about your house! What are your favorite design elements?
Our leather settee is one of my favorite pieces – it's the perfect spot to be lazy with a glass of wine and cuddle with my dogs (as the wear on it probably indicates).
Thank you, Jennie, for sharing your story and work!
Connect with her + Abby on Instagram | @jlynnlorenz @reclusehomeco @abbycoyle
