We recently sat down with CCY designer Jessica Lorenz and asked "What inspires you when you think of the word Home?".
When it comes to my approach to residential design, I’m inspired by the challenge of understanding what the concept of “home” means to a client and integrating that into the design. We spend a significant amount of time and energy developing these built environments – they are beautiful, sustainable, and responsive to the land. At their core, these structures satisfy a basic, fundamental, and very human need for shelter. However, where things start to get interesting for me is in recognizing home as a subjective concept.
The meaning of home can vary from person to person. For some, it represents a place of belonging, a familiar refuge, and a sanctuary where one can escape the outside world and embrace solitude. For others, it’s a highly activated environment where relationships are nurtured and social connections are made. Regardless of how an individual defines home, it’s a space that witnesses the milestones, joys, and challenges that shape our unique journeys – and it’s a privilege to be a part of crafting the visual backdrop to that story.
For me, part of creating a meaningful home experience is surrounding myself with items that carry emotional significance. I’m continuously seeking out eccentric and unconventional pieces to inject a pop of personality or unexpected interest. Antique, used, or handmade items that have a story to tell are my favorite finds.
From left to right: A bookshelf corner populated with nostalgic treasures collected throughout childhood and travel. A collection of quirky vessels and serving trays provide both utility and visual appeal. A dark brick floor brings a crafted warmth to the mudroom.
Vintage chairs paired with a new(ish) dining table come together to create a warm dining space.
Sourcing high-performing products and materials that are earth-friendly and healthy choices for a space is something I enjoy. Recently, my team and I presented an environmentally friendly tile, Mosaico Micro by i.design, to one of our CCY clients – it was a big hit! This product stood out because the glass used to make the tile is obtained via a cathode ray tube recycling process (in layman’s terms – it’s made from recycled TV and computer screens)! The size enables these tiles to be applied on both flat and curved surfaces, they can be used indoors and outdoors, and they come in many colors, making them super versatile and having a great story.
A lively and whimsical Powder Room adjacent to a more sophisticated and subdued palette becomes a memorable moment of discovery.
For a powder room, I like this American-made sink by Concretti. It’s a great way to add a pop of unexpected color and can make a big impact in a small room. The sink is a concrete blend comprised of cement, sand, aggregate, and pigments sourced from American quarries, and the products themselves are manufactured in Nevada.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of crafting the visual backdrop to that story”
