Lauren Tolles is more than the founder of Maison Birmingham; she is an interior designer whose educational background in architecture infuses her projects with both rigorous technical skill and a burst of creative flair. Raised in Northern California, Tolles has a profound appreciation for natural beauty and open spaces, seamlessly integrating these elements into her innovative designs. Her connection to nature is vivid in her personal life, particularly during her cherished retreats to Walloon Lake in Northern Michigan. “When the sun is out, the water turns a Caribbean light blue—it’s surreal for Northern Michigan,” she describes. Her lakeside home is crafted not just for entertainment but for evolution, reflecting her belief that homes should become warmer and more beloved over time. “I design homes to be comfortably lived in, homes that evolve as they are lived in,” she explains.

A collage featuring an image of one of Tolles' airy living areas, next to a gorgeous aerial shot of the house beside the bright blue lake.
Left: One of five main sitting areas in the home, where guests are welcomed by the warm lake breeze billowing in from the sliding glass doors. Right: The home’s exterior, with its cedar shingles and mortared stone, maintains a clean design without being stark against the Caribbean blue waters of Walloon Lake. Header: Using Lauren Tolles’ ethos of designing for longevity, the kitchen utilizes dark woods and marble which will wear and patina beautifully over time. Photos by Adahlia Cole and Colin Peck

Enriching Her Design Toolkit Through Global Inspirations

Travel is integral to Lauren Tolles’ design ethos, profoundly shaping both her aesthetic sensibilities and her culinary preferences. Paris, with its unparalleled elegance and historical richness, inspires her to blend classic and avant-garde elements seamlessly. Copenhagen, known for its modern design fused with a warm, inviting culture, introduced her to innovative, sustainable living spaces that marry functionality with style. These travels, Tolles believes, enrich her design palette, allowing her to transport a taste of the world back to her clients’ homes.

A collage of interior shots from Maison Birmingham's portfolio.
Clockwise from left: 1) This lovely powder blue bathroom in the KSI Grand Rapids showroom features statement wallpaper reminiscent of Belle Époque Paris. Photo by Martin Vecchio. 2) Tolles introduced pops of pink, green, and brass to the contrasting black and white style of this Bloomfield Hills brick colonial through nature-inspired furnishings and decor like Provençal style fabric curtains. Photo by Marta Perez. 3) Avid fans of Scandanavian design, the homeowners were seeking to create a home that was modern, light and airy, yet cozy. The house was designed with a neutral, monochromatic, and muted palette allowing spaces to flow easily into the next, while layered textures and tones create interest, depth and warmth. Photo by Martin Vecchio.
Another angle of Tolles' lakehouse kitchen, with a view of her Gaggenau induction cooktop as well as the large refrigerator which blends seamlessly into the rest of the white cabinetry.
Tolles’ full Gaggenau kitchen includes the EB333 Oven, Teppan Yaki, induction cooktop, and a refrigerator and freezer, both paneled to complement the surrounding cabinetry.

Precision and Style

Among the tools of her trade, Tolles favors Gaggenau appliances for its unmatched precision and sleek design. The Combi-Microwave, her appliance of choice, epitomizes versatility and efficiency, attributes that resonate with her design philosophy. In her lake house kitchen, the inclusion of a Gaggenau EB 333 oven, paired with two dishwashers, a Teppan Yaki, an induction cooktop, both a refrigerator and freezer, and a wine cabinet, exemplifies her and her husband’s passion for cooking and entertaining.

A close-up of Lauren Tolles opening her Gaggenau combi-microwave.

Favorite Gaggenau appliance?

“The Combi-Microwave is my favorite; it heats up quickly and multitasks as both a speed oven and a microwave, which is ideal for our busy lives.”

Another kitchen from Maison Birmingham, with lovely open shelving and eye-catching accent wall.
Tolles reworked existing space in this 1920s home remodel by incorporating the former laundry room into the kitchen in order to enlarge the room and create new sink placement in front of the existing window so the homeowner could look out into her yard and watch her children play. Photo by Martin Vecchio.

Innovative Projects and a Client-Centric Approach

Tolles’ recent design projects underscore her innovative approach to space utilization and meticulous attention to detail. Whether integrating Gaggenau’s cutting-edge appliances into a century-old estate or crafting a minimalist kitchen with clean, uncluttered lines, her client-focused methodology ensures that spaces are visually appealing and rich in functionality and sentiment.

A living area designed by Lauren Tolles.

Tolles’ ingenuity with texture takes center stage in this elevated pied-à-terre. Textured wainscot panels warm the space and creep into the contrasting black and glass built-ins with fluted detailing. The print of the fur-inspired chairs is echoed in the textured landscape of the centerpiece painting. White moldings tie in with the rest of the room and prevent this focal wall from feeling too heavy, balancing both ends of the room nicely. Photo by Martin Vecchio.

Lauren Tolles standing in her kitchen in front of the open windows, smiling for the camera.

Media Acclaim and Design Philosophy

The design community has taken note of Tolles’ work, with features in publications such as Architectural Digest, Elle Décor and Luxe Interiors + Design. These features highlight her ability to fuse timeless aesthetics with contemporary functionality, a testament to her architectural expertise.

Designer: Lauren Tolles, Maison Birmingham