Beuty Refresher: Laurin White, Interior Designer
Laurin White creates beauty wherever she goes. Founder of the interior design firm, Cambridge Row, she’s also a pastor’s wife, mom to two very fun young boys, and has a yardful of chickens named after First Ladies (Martha WashingHen, Eleanor Roostervelt, Ladybird Johnson, Nancy ReagHen, Michelle Obawkma). In the midst of juggling all that, she is one of the most gentle, unhurried, fully present people I know. She inspires me. I asked her this question.
What do you want to give the world?
“I remember sitting in one of my first interior design courses at Auburn, simultaneously feeling fully alive and somewhat ashamed. So many of my friends had chosen majors that would make a difference in the world. I come from a long line of “helping” professionals—doctors, engineers, math professors, pastors, schoolteachers, and business leaders. Why did God give me the desire to design instead of some calling that seemed more helpful and practical?
The shame grew stronger when I moved to Washington, DC. Everyone there—I mean everyone—was part of something important. Some had the highest security clearances, while I was pulling fabric and drawing lots of tiny lines to represent hypothetical rooms.
It wasn’t until recently that my perspective shifted entirely, and much of that came when Nancy and Gina of InSpero described the critical role of the arts and celebrated artists like me. It was the first time I felt like what I did mattered—not because of anything special that I had done, but because of how God had designed beauty to matter. Instead of feeling shame, I felt called. Called to be a refresher of the beauty we all cling to even when we’re unaware. Called to pour out instead of hold back. Called to tap into design’s importance theologically and enjoy a good God who cares for it. Called to enjoy that God gave me this gift and wants me to use it.
No more hiding.
Shortly after, I heard a sermon about God’s care for beauty and design. Not in a materialistic way, but in a way that points us to that which is more beautiful than our minds can comprehend on this side of Heaven. It all came together. God, who specified the finest materials and most specific measurements for the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, cares deeply about beauty. If he didn’t, what would be the point of fine linen, a sunset, clear water, cherry blossoms blooming, the faces of people from all over the world—designed and created by a loving God?
Now I feel free to design spaces without shame, but with a heart of worship. As the world feels cold, dark, heavy, and hopeless at times, we mustn’t forget what is to come. Thoughtful design is a tangible way to point to the beauty and peace—the now but not yet—the great hope and confidence we have of all brokenness being restored—whole, full, beautiful, and alive.”
Here’s a little background on Laurin:
Laurin graduated with honors from Auburn University’s Interior Design program After several internships and fascinated by the public-policy side of design, she entered into Georgetown University’s Master’s program for Urban and Regional planning. Her thesis explored ways in which urban design and community development influence low-income school districts in the Houston area. Laurin’s graduate work impressed upon her an important principle: there is a direct correlation between the design of the spaces around us and our quality of life.
Laurin’s heart is to help others feel valued by adding beauty to the spaces where they live and work. Her work has been featured in Traditional Home, Country French, and Birmingham Home & Garden. Find out more on her website and Instagram.