Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Mleczko.
Hi Lauren, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2015 with a BFA in Furniture Design and Fiber Arts. I also fufilled an internship with the art galleries on campus. While living in Ypsilanti, I started to collect furniture from the side of the road after people moved out of their apartments and started staging mine with it. I was nannying through college, and because my apartment was so vibrant and full of vintage furnishings, the little girls I watched would always say, “I want to go to Lolo’s house.”. It wasn’t for a few more years that I’d start learning upholstery at a shop downtown Brighton, but it led me to starting my own business and working for myself. I worked for Virtuoso Design Build in Detroit, and learned a lot about commercial level upholstery, and we did alot of amazing projects for new restaurants downtown Detroit. I left there, and worked out of my basement studio at the El Tovar in Islandview. Which then lead me to my opportunity to have a storefront on the West side on Livernois at 6 Mile. I renovated the space by myself for the last year and have been working out of there doing projects for interior design clients such as Woodward Throwbacks. When I’m not doing upholstery, I’m installing art exhibitions for venues such as the Scarab Club, or teaching my dining chair upholstery class at Post in Detroit.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. It’s been full of challenges. I have struggled with being supported and have forged my own path regardless of having finances to do so. I’m definitely “Dollar and a Dream”-ing it. As an Aquarius woman, I believe in myself more than anyone ever could and there is no option to fail. I learn through my trials and it builds character to not have things handed to you. When no one is there to solve your problems for you you’re forced to save yourself and really learn how the world works.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an upholsterer and I am currently specializing in collaborating with local artists bringing their 2D work to furniture. I upholster vintage prices from my collection with paintings of theirs to make functional works of art. I love custom furniture!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t give up!!! Do your own research! Do things scared and regardless of the money! Money should never be a factor when making art. Art comes from sheer self expression and that is what is the most authentic.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lolos.house
