How LK & V Came Together...
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So when do we get to the Showhouse?
Lauren and Vanessa's design efforts came together in 2010, as they often reached out to bounce ideas off of each other. They valued the other's strengths as they both possessed different, but complimentary talents. Both were respectively building Elle Kay Interiors, LLC and Design by V. They knew that while they loved working independently somewhere down the line it would hit, and they would be working together as an established design-build firm.
Lauren met Denise Frederickson from the Junior League of Greater Princeton, NJ in 2007. Denise was on the JLGP Showhouse and Gardens committee 2010, and after touring the Spring 2010 Showhouse, Lauren was inspired.
The show ran every two years and Lauren had a vision; she wanted in. Denise encouraged Lauren to "try-out" for Showhouse 2012. In order to get into Showhouse, you must get invited, attend the open house tour, fill out paperwork for top three room choices, submit a sketch and full presentation on top choice room, with written concept, textiles, paint swatches, furniture ideas and the like. Should you get accepted as a designer and beat out competitors from NY/NJ/PA, AND get one of your top thee choices, or even any room at all, you must get insurance on the room, hire builders, manage the project etc. and fund it on your own dime. In 2010, Lauren told Vanessa, "I want to be in the showhouse in rwo years, and there is no way I am doing it without you-- are you in?" Vanessa agreed enthusiastically. They decided if they got in the house together that would be their first public collaboration together as Elle Kay Interiors and Design by V. "We waited two years. The stars aligned; we got in." They got their second pick, were the youngest designers ever in the house, and the rest is history.