Profile: Lauren Soloff

I first met Lauren Soloff through my good friend Leanne, who brought her to cooking class at my house. Hailing from New York, Lauren is the genius behind The Granola Project. Tanner is hooked on it – he asks for it daily. Mom to Roman, age 6, she’s also an amazing interior designer with great, effortless style and I wanted to share her home and what inspires her with Rip+Tan.

Beauty

R+T: What are your go-­to beauty products?

LS: Egyptian Magic – it’s a super rich all-purpose cream. I use it on my heels, cuticles, elbows and even my hair. And I couldn’t live without purple shampoo for my hair – it keeps it white.

R+T: Is there anything special you would like to share about your beauty routine?

LS: Drink a lot of water and wash your face immediately after your exercise.

R+T: What are the 5 products you couldn’t live without?

LS: Aztec Secret – an incredible bentonite clay mask, Cetaphil and my Clarisonic. Also Rodin olio lusso and Epicuren X-Treme Cream.

R+T: Bath or Shower?

LS: Shower.

Health

R+T: Do you have any health tricks?

LS: Oregano Oil as soon as you feel something coming on. Adding Turmeric to my smoothies -it’s a great anti-inflammatory and I love the way it tastes with almond milk.

R+T: Do you workout, what do you swear by?

LS: I swear by walking and a lot of yoga.

Decor


R+T: What is your design philosophy for your home?

LS: Fill it up with the things you love and don’t get too attached to any one thing. Every time you bring something new home, you should give something old away.

R+T: What are your favorite home stores?

LS: I love Nicky Kehoe, Galerie Half, Garde and Reform Gallery.

R+T: What are your favorite pieces in your house?

LS: My Jorgen Hovelskov harp chair, my George Smith sofa and the desk in my son’s room that was from my grandparents’ house.

R+T: What is your favorite room in the house?

LS: My son’s room.

Art

R+T: Who are your favorite artists?

LS: That list changes depending on where I’m at. Right now I would have to say Sheila Hicks, Eva Hesse, Alex Katz.

R+T: What is your favorite piece of art you own?

LS: A painting by Louise Bonnet.

Entertaining

R+T: Do you entertain at home?

LS: Yes but it is usually very spontaneous.

R+T: How do you set the scene when you have people over?

LS: I rarely do formal sit down meals. I love to fill my dining table with a lot of small dishes and let people help themselves. I have no real rules about how to set a table – it just has to feel inspired and appropriate for the occasion.

R+T: Are there any tips for what to do or what to avoid?

LS: Don’t be too ambitious. Usually simple and classic is a total success with a crowd. No one likes a stressed out host.

R+T: What are your favorite objects/accessories in the kitchen?

LS: My tagine and my Kitchen Aid Mixer are essential. I also love my olive wood mortar and pestle.

Food

R+T: Is there anything about your diet you would like to share with R+T?

LS: Eat everything in moderation.

R+T: Do you cook?

LS: I love to cook.

R+T: What is your favorite recipe?

My granola recipe.

R+T: What is your kids’ favorite recipe?

LS: Roman loves chocolate cake and would eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner if he could.

Kids


R+T: Are there any kid’s finds you want to share with Rip+Tan?

LS: I love Nico Nico, J.Crew and always find great basics at H+M and Zara. Lately, I’ve been finding some very cool kids clothes at the Rose Bowl and I’m on the verge of buying a pair of kids cowboy boots on Zappos.

R+T: What is your favorite thing to do/place to go on the weekends with your kids?

LS: Weekends are typically filled with soccer games, play dates and birthday parties.

R+T: What is your favorite restaurant to eat at with the whole family?

LS: We love Terroni, Mishima and Cho Sun Galbee in Koreatown. XXJKE