Although born in Alabama, some of Lauren’s very first childhood memories were of the World’s Fair in New Orleans. “I had a lot of family here, so this city always felt like home.”
Lauren Wells has her B.A. from Cornell University and worked in Business Development in New York City for a decade before answering the siren call of the Crescent City and settling down.
She enjoys interior design and has renovated a handful of properties in Louisiana.
Meet Lauren Wells
What’s your favorite New Orleans architecture style? Oof. Don’t make me choose! I’m probably a more Eastlake style shotgun girl at heart (I’ll take all the gingerbread embellishments you got), but I also fancy myself a classy raised center hall cottage.
What do you think is an underrated New Orleans neighborhood? Holy Cross — it’s super peaceful and quiet. There are so many homes packed with character and charm, and at a much more affordable price point in comparison to the rest of the city.
Money is no object! Where would you live and why? Bayou St. John — and be close to the bayou, the park, the fairgrounds, glorious Esplanade Ave, the trees, etc. You have it all right there.
What’s the most walkable neighborhood in New Orleans? There are too many! I love picking different neighborhoods and walking around at dusk when the New Orleans sky turns an impossible shade of pink and gas lanterns from the porch glow. That’s the magic hour.
What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working? Scouring the land for antiques and decorating rooms.
What sort of passion projects do you do outside of work? I love doing theatre and you might catch me on a local stage. I am in a Beyonce tribute dancing krewe, The Beyjorettes. Also, I am currently renovating a 1973 Airstream Argosy.
What is something you want to make sure you do before you die? I want to open a Bed and breakfast in some sleepy coastal Irish village or in the mountains of North Carolina. Whichever.
Any noteworthy accomplishments? I spent time in Uganda working at a Babies’ Home. I filmed a rock-climbing documentary in Yosemite. I coordinated the rebuilding of a hotel in the British Virgin Islands after Hurricane Irma. I am in the Songwriters Guild of America for a song that was on a Grammy-nominated album.
