Martha Stewart + Oprah = Lauren Makk aka #HomeGirlNextDoor
Currently Hosting ‘Urban Oasis 2022 Giveaway Home’ On HGTV
‘Best House on the Block’ Debuted on HGTV On November 9th
By Judy Shields
Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 01/22/2023 – “I am looking forward to getting together with family for Thanksgiving” Lauren Makk told The Hollywood Times today during our Zoom interview.
It isn’t every day that you hear the words ‘Luxury’ and ‘DIY’ in the same sentence, but that’s because it hasn’t been done before… until now. Nashville, TN based Interior Designer, DIY Expert, and Television Host, Lauren Makk has captured the hearts and attention of fans near and far with her budget friendly approach to luxury DIY and re-design.
You may know Lauren from her time spent on multiple design shows across many networks including TLC’s Emmy Award winning Trading Spaces, A&E’s Drill Team as well as co-host on ABC’s FABLife but now she is re-introducing herself and taking the design world by storm. Shattering the mold of those stuffy designers, Lauren is known to shake things up by spilling her best budget – friendly design tricks, tips, and hacks, as well as her luxury DIY projects. Aiming to elevate and change the stereotype of DIY’s past, Makk insists she’s more accurately an “Interior RE-Designer”- as she specializes in re-imagining and re-purposing common every day materials in sophisticated and breathtaking new ways.
The Hollywood Times had the opportunity to speak with Lauren Makk at home in Nashville TN.
Get ready for a conversation about DIY projects, weight loss and giving up alcohol. At one point, Lauren asked if she was going to deep about the conversation and I said “no way, keep going.”
Her willingness to be so candid and make design accessible, has lent her the title of “Home Girl Next Door”, and has set Lauren apart from others in the industry. Makk’s unique perspective and experience in design was fostered at an early age by her mother, whom Lauren describes as “Martha Stewart’s – Martha Stewart”, and who earned her homemaking skills through her deep African-American Southern roots.
When asked about her design influences and what shaped her as a tastemaker, Lauren didn’t hesitate to cite her biggest mentor, “My mom. She really instilled in me a passion for creating that feeling of HOME – she is a Master Homemaker. As a kid I remember her sewing all our clothes, making all our holiday decorations and home decor… she even did all our home renovations! Watching her, and more importantly – being her right-hand assistant – really inspired and empowered me to become the designer I am today. And, you know, I’m from The South. I come from generations of women who kept other people’s houses and perfected the craft of what it means to make something out of nothing. I feel really honored that I get to bring forth their experience, wisdom, and talents to the design world in a way that celebrates the art of living well – for everyone!”
A native of Oklahoma City, Lauren was raised in the Home Improvement industry, working alongside her mom who enjoyed flipping houses as a hustle. Makk, however, set her sights to the streets and initially wanted to pursue a career as a graffiti artist. Her mother insisted on college, and Makk obliged by majoring in Interior Design. Since then, she has blended her innate talents for design, DIY, and art, with her years of construction experience to create her renowned firm, Lauren Makk Interiors, which specializes in ‘Affordable Luxury’. In addition to being a designer and television host, Lauren lives a busy life as a wife to husband Al, and mother to two young boys, Preston (6) and Lennox (2) that they are raising in Nashville.
Makk has always prided herself about her willingness to share her modern family life, her whopping 140-pound weight loss journey, and more recently – serve as an inspiration to others as she candidly discusses her decision to live an alcohol free life. With those personal goals under her belt, Lauren is laser focused on her career, and is investing in herself the same way she has her personal growth. Makk is now expanding her brand and influence to take things to a whole new level.
We were first introduced to her as she perfected her expertise on the Emmy Award winning Trading Spaces for TLC, and then A&E’s hit home renovation show Drill Team. She then won the hearts of homeowners everywhere with her design and lifestyle advice as co-host of ABC’s hit daytime talk show, FABLife. On multiple seasons of OWN’s Home Made Simple, you’ll find Lauren empowering homeowners to create the homes of their dreams through savvy design hacks and budget-friendly Do-It-Yourself projects.
Currently, you can watch Lauren’s star continue to rise as she judges talent on Shop Class for Disney + & Design Star: Next Gen on HGTV. She is co-hosting and contributing as designer on the freshman season of Bake or Break for The Food Network, as well as the highly anticipated ‘Urban Oasis 2022 Giveaway Home’ for HGTV and Discovery +. Stay tuned to Lauren Makk’s socials below for updates on future shows, day-to-day DIY tips, and updates from her busy life as a mom.
For More Information on Lauren Makk:
Instagram: https://www.
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Website: https://