Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Fontela.
Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Lauren Elle Fontela- a Cuban-American, native South Floridian. I founded Heron Home as a passion project born from designing and styling my own home in South Miami; a home rooted in family, comfort and feeling at ease in a space that tells a story. I lean on a foundation of quality craftsmanship and storytelling to bring together a curated selection of objects that play on proportion, material and texture. Heron Home offers an evolving collection of vintage discoveries: hand-crafted pottery, colored glassware, curated coffee table books, and original art—each an opportunity to infuse your space with character and authenticity.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building this brand has been an empowering experience, channeling creativity and my own intuition. More than anything, it’s been an opportunity to foster community; to connect with those who have dedicated themselves to the preservation of storied home accents from decades past while inviting others to share the same appreciation anew.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is rooted in discovery and storytelling; in bringing value and drawing interest to items long forgotten. I love finding the unexpected- things that are refined but a little funky, a little weathered and just right. I follow a feeling, not a formula and humbly believe in the value of what I’m creating. And I’m not the only one doing this. There are so many incredible brick and mortar, online and market-based brands out there both new and tenured, who consistently, and with such great passion, offer original, vintage and antique home accents. There’s a really special movement taking shape in Miami… The next generation of thrifters, sourcers and curators are defining themselves, each offering something uniquely novel and necessary. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this collective.
In terms of Heron Home’s unique point of difference, I appreciate how our collection of pieces work with someone’s existing belongings to enhance the character of a space and tell the unique story of the people who live within it. I most appreciate how a play on color and texture, unexpected materials and decades of wear come together to make something new but familiar. To me, part what makes a house a home is when you look around and it feels like you.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most everything I know, I’ve gathered over the last almost 20 years of studying and working in the fashion industry. The emotion behind the shopping experience, the power of a story, the value of lasting craftsmanship and how you package it all to represent something that speaks to people. My collective experiences have been a lot of fun to leverage in a new light, to shape new confidence and build something from scratch. It’s something I’m proud of and excited to share with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heronhomemiami.com
- Instagram: @heronhomemiami
Image Credits
Dani Egues
