Lauren Williamson, alongside her husband Holt, founded Cedar & Oak driven by their passion for home design. What initially involved curating furniture for each renovated home swiftly evolved into her assuming the role of Creative Director at the fastest-growing design-build firm in Austin, TX. One of the hallmarks of Lauren’s approach is her keen attention to detail. She understands that the smallest elements—whether it’s the choice of materials, the arrangement of furniture, or the play of light—can have a profound impact on the overall feel of a space. Ultimately, Lauren’s goal is to create spaces that not only look stunning but also feel like home. Take a look at Lauren’s designs in today’s Designer Friday.
This living room’s plush olive sofas and central fireplace create a warm, inviting atmosphere, complemented by large windows that frame the natural scenery.
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a designer?
Lauren Williamson: I’ve always loved interiors. I remember in college finding pieces of furniture on Facebook Marketplace or at thrift stores, then stripping and repainting them for my own space or for friends’ spaces. I’ve always had a desire to make the spaces I’m living in beautiful, and I’ve grown to really trust my own personal style to do that. When I married Holt, the first home we purchased did not have walls, which was the first time that I realized I had “vision” for spaces before they were completed. When we started Cedar & Oak and Holt brought home samples, I was quick and decisive about all the selections — even though, at the time, I wasn’t working for Cedar & Oak. What initially inspired me was a love for creating beautiful spaces, but becoming a designer was certainly an evolution over time. I can look back and see the threads of how I got there, but at the moment, I wouldn’t say I knew I was becoming a designer.
AJ: Describe your design philosophy in 3 words:
LW: “Modern Cottage”: warm, collected, lived-in.
This living room perfectly balances indoor and outdoor living with expansive glass doors, inviting natural light to highlight the comfortable, modern furnishings and cozy textures.
AJ: Can you tell us about a specific moment in your career that made you feel accomplished?
LW: One moment I will never forget is the very first house that I staged. With a $5,000 budget, two kids, and no babysitter, I drove all over Austin picking up finds from Facebook Marketplace that fit our look, feel, and tight budget. On staging day, I staged the entire house while carrying a baby in a chest carrier. Looking back, I can’t believe I did that. That was one of the first times that I thought, “OK, I think I can juggle all of this!” Designing and building our new HQ is one of my biggest accomplishments to date. It was very much a tag-team effort between me and Holt. We saw the space and he developed the architecture and flow of the office while I selected all the finishes and furniture. It encompasses who we are aesthetically and operates not only as a workplace for our employees but also as a showroom for our clients and vendors. It is a reflection of who we are and the Cedar & Oak design philosophy that we’ve developed.
This kitchen showcases sleek cabinetry and open shelving, perfect for displaying the homeowner’s finest kitchenware.
AJ: How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your design?
LW: I am a mom of four kids, so I know that everything about a home needs to be functional and beautiful at the same time. With function at the forefront of my mind, I make sure I select durable fabrics for our furnishings, and I opt for paint choices that can always be touched up. Custom cabinetry is often overlooked, but at Cedar & Oak, we pride ourselves on really thinking through the purpose that each cabinet is going to serve. A thoughtful cabinetry layout allows for form and function — beautiful in keeping the space cohesive, yet functional in holding all of our stuff. We incorporate custom cabinetry into mudrooms with custom lockers, a bench to put your shoes on, drawers to hold belongings, and more.
AJ: What is your favorite design trend from the past?
LW: Rustic, authentic beams are a trend or element I would say that we enjoy incorporating in our home designs. I also always look at plaster or Roman clay in terms of mixing textures in various spaces alongside natural marble, which are design concepts we bring into every home. To complement all of this, we then source vintage pieces from different eras to carry through that nostalgia and familiarity from past designs.
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