Duende With Lauren Miranda
Duende With Lauren Miranda
Significant fragments of the artist's thoughtful life.
I have followed artist Lauren Miranda in awe for many years, but we still have yet to meet in real life! Lauren Miranda, or Lola as most people call her, has lived in Los Angeles for the past decade, most recently in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. During the day, she’s a full time Apparel Studio Manager, and outside of that, she has a studio in the Flower District where she works on her Fiber Art, primarily in materials like cane, reed, cotton, and wool. Sentimentality reigns supreme when it comes to her home and tchotchkes, many of which she has made herself. I am overjoyed that she has shared so many of these beauties with us, as well as the stories and memories that surround each love-filled piece.
Find Lola elsewhere:
Instagram
Lauren Miranda
Here’s to staying inspired!
Love,
Elise
Lauren Miranda, Bread Sculpture
There was a time in 2018 where I was baking a lot of enriched breads/challah, and there were at times remnants left. This “thing” came about after just picking up the “skeleton” of some dough and setting it aside on a sheet tray. I liked what I saw, I baked it, shellacked it and became attached to it. It’s been on display ever since.Lauren Miranda, Bespoke Hangers
I sketched these out prior to ever having a studio space, envisioning a few of my knits/garments on them. Finally my friend Jon worked with me to bring them to life. Now I’m not in the business of product development, really — but these are extremely special to me and I’m highly proud of them.Silver Sculpture
I thrifted this object so, so long ago. It is so satisfying in the hands, you can change its shape, coil it into a bracelet or necklace, use it has a pseudo-fidget toy.Scents
I am a loyalist and when I find something I like I stick to it — I’ve been wearing OLO Fragrance’s “Lightning Paw” for years for its prominent jasmine notes. Recently I have become tethered to Maison Louis Marie’s “Kandilli” perfume oil which smells heavily of gardenia. I cannot get enough.Mature Rhipsalis
Other than Hoya plants, this is my favorite species. I’ve had this as long as my bread sculpture, nurtured the hell out of it and adore its alien-like presence. Texture town.Lauren Miranda, Silver Cushion
(Please see aforementioned affinity for silver shiny things) I have Luis Barragán to thank for my love of orbs. So much so that I’ve found piggy banks, earrings, a vintage ring — all homages to this spherical object. But no I couldn’t stop there, I needed to add one more thing. So I made this imperfect and very ergo friendly cushion as a final addition to the family.Olga Ravn, The Employees
This novel is one of the strangest works of sci-fi to enter my brain. There is so much I could say on this but it’s a short, bizarre read, so please just have a go with it.Vintage Pear Pepper Mill
A girlfriend of mine gifted me this for Christmas in 2020. Have you seen a cuter thing? Its usage is frequent.LoQ, Datura Wine Glass
Yes, they are known for their impeccable footwear and they also design delicate home goods. These are the most beautiful drinking glasses I will ever own. I can’t handle alcohol like I used to, so they really elevate my coffees and my Olipop.Vintage Handmade Face Pendant
I have such an affinity for vintage silver, I joke that I am a bird because of my attraction to a shiny thing. Though my collection holds many scores, this pendant is by far my most prized and unique find (other than maybe my vintage Elsa Peretti for Halston bean locket that was less than the cost of a tank of gas). It’s quite heavy, I’ve tried to read the signature in hopes of searching for more of their pieces, but alas, they’ve vanished!Ren Ceramics, Mug
I first encountered Ren’s work at a rad shop in Ojai back in 2020 that is sadly no more. However, I continued to follow her work. These little guys appeared on one of her stories and I had to adopt one. I use it everyday — so much so that I bought a second one for my office!Ceramic Crimped Plate
Down in Coyoacán, Mexico City, there is a ceramics studio that sells a gang of beautiful dinnerware. But off in one corner they offer “one-offs” of pieces made by students. I fell hard for this one’s graphic lines and hue — makes eating cookies and toast a true delight.Hinia’s Gold Amethyst Ring
My aunt Virginia owned this ring, and as a child I’d ask her incessantly if I could have it, and she would always promise to hand it off once I was older. When I turned 18 she finally passed it down to me, and it’s the single heirloom I own.Return To Sender, Lampshade Hat
Kat has been offering up various iterations of this piece for years, and I have been collecting them as if they were pogs. There is no other hat I wear more.Teeny Tiny Toro
Toros (bulls) have always reminded me of my late baby dog Hoya, and I shared this with Ana (who owns Casa September) on my last trip to CDMX in March. In true fashion, she yet again surprised me on my last night with this tiny wooden treasure from her partner’s personal collection. If that’s not love then I don’t know what is.Leggy Chair
Stumbled upon this chair on my favorite site and became fixated. I’m not one to get into bidding wars, but this time I held fast. It’s such a quirky chair and it reminds me of a giraffe. The seat is a bit askew but feels good on the back when you take a seat.Riita Ikonen & Caroline Hjorth, Eyes as Big as Plates
Where to begin — for over decade they have been documenting humans of various occupations, in various countries, within their respective natural landscapes; evocative portraits involving the subjects donning “garments” of seaweed, ferns, flowers, shells, mud and the like. Paired with anecdotes on each of their lives, it’s borderline folkloric. I am profoundly, continuously inspired by this dynamic duo and dream of being part of a future roster of theirs.Intricate Basket
On my very first visit to Mexico City, at the Anthropology Museum, I had seen a basket like this one in one of the dioramas and fell hard for it. Ana (of Casa September), whom I’d only just met that trip, showed up to dinner on my last night there with one exactly like it.Original Watercolor, Living Room
A couple of Christmas’s ago, my youngest sister surprised me with this watercolor of my living room. Of course I cried, of course I had to frame it immediately. I am so lucky to have a gang of talented siblings.Cersei Bird
I am perpetually obsessed with the very specific aquamarine blue hue in Cersei’s eyes. But truthfully I’m perpetually obsessed with her in general.Matilda Alair via Lowell Shop, Vase
I hade been coveting one of these robust vessels for so long after stopping into Lowell in Portland, and finally treated myself when I moved into my current spot in LA. The drippy, smeary texture really sends me.Clay Creature Pot
During my short and sweet life on Vashon Island, I frequented the local thrift store and found this funny guy there. No clue if he was ever actually meant for water or tea or what, but it’s become one of my pets.
Duende is the mysterious power of art to deeply move a person. It means a quality of passion and inspiration. With this bimonthly feature, we celebrate and honor our most meaningful possessions that go far beyond the physical — preserving memories, shaping identity, encouraging ritual, embodying experiences and loved ones. The things that surround us are not simply functional, beautiful, or aspirational, but encompass a soul and presence all their own. View past publications here.
Photo Credit: Duende custom collage designed by Meg Towle, featuring pieces from the home of Lauren Miranda. Portrait of Lola by Francisco Gonzalez.