Lauren Tyda – Marketing Director
Originally from Chicago, Lauren Tyda has built her career around storytelling — through words, design and the spaces people call home.
With a degree in journalism, English and creative writing from Butler University in Indianapolis, she jokingly says she learned how to ask questions, tell stories and use way too many adjectives.
After moving to Arizona in 2008, Lauren spent more than a decade as a writer and editor in the design publishing industry, covering architecture, interiors and the creative minds behind them. To her, architecture is simply storytelling in built form.
To learn more about Lauren, read on.
What brought you to Arizona? I moved to Phoenix in 2008 after graduating from college in pursuit of palm trees and cute boys. I ended up marrying one (a cute boy, not a palm tree).
Describe your family. Any good sibling stories? My husband co-owns Barcoa Agaveria, a tequila and mezcal bar in downtown Phoenix, and produces food festivals. Tacos and good tequila are practically our religion. We also have two rescue pups that appear to be a mix of shih-tzu, chihuahua, and every adorable Lisa Frank animal ever created. My parents eventually moved to North Scottsdale from Chicago after seeing one too many winter photos of my legs by a pool. I have a sister, but unfortunately, all childhood memories involving her appear to include some form of torture.
Favorite architect? Frank Lloyd Wright. When in doubt, always pick the guy who invented Fallingwater.
How did you become interested in architecture? My father was an architect, and I have been a magazine editor in the design space for more than 10 years. I’ve always been fascinated by the way spaces shape how people experience life — how a home can influence how we gather, relax and connect.
What aspect of your profession do you enjoy most? Telling the stories behind great design — the thinking, creativity and craftsmanship that most people never get to see.
What was your most favorite/memorable job as a teenager? Working in the tasting room at a winery in Door County, Wisconsin, pretending I knew words like “tannin” and “terroir.”
Free time activities? Trying new restaurants and spending way too much time on the phone talking to my mom about everything I ate.
What has been the most influential/life-changing event in your life? Seeing The Backstreet Boys at The Sphere. Don’t judge me — it was incredible.
Any special talents? I am obsessed with finding thematic patterns in movies and television — from color palettes and lighting to symbolism and storytelling. It’s basically literary analysis, but for Netflix.
You’ve won the lottery. How would you spend your time? I would buy a small house on a beach, adopt an unreasonable number of animals, and build an impressive collection of Italian red wines. The rest would go to charity.
Dream destination? Maui. Always.
If you were granted one wish, what would you wish for? Unlimited frequent-flier miles and the ability to eat pasta and French fries without consequences.
What is your greatest fear? Clusters of tiny holes. Google “trypophobia” at your own risk.
Least favorite food? Oysters. Gross.
Favorite movie genre? Science fiction, horror, and suspense.
First pet? Name? Special moments? My first pet was a Cairn terrier named Kelsey. The day after my parents adopted her, I walked out of my kindergarten class during the school day and waddled all the way home to play with her. The principal was livid.
It is your last day on earth. How will you spend your time? With my husband, my dogs, good food, good wine, and people I love — preferably somewhere with a view of the ocean.
Favorite Netflix binge? Dexter, Breaking Bad, and an underrated show called Maniac, which I have watched at least eight times.
Do you have any good habits? If so, what are they? I am extremely good at making restaurant reservations.
Name two things you do every day. Drink coffee and pet my dogs.
What is something you do when you are looking to relax? Open a bottle of wine, sit on my patio with my pups, and watch my husband grill burgers.
Dream vacation? A tour of Italy, from Tuscany and Florence to Lake Como and Sardinia.
The last book you read? The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
Favorite movie? Interstellar, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Greatest Showman. I have many more. I’m a movie nerd.
Who is on your current playlist? Washed Out, Michael Jackson, and The Beatles (of course).
Fireplace or bonfire? Fireplace.
Favorite free-time activity? Watching cooking videos while fully acknowledging that I will never actually make any of the recipes.
Most embarrassing moment? Too many to list, but most of them involve tripping in public. Also, any time I confidently wave back at someone who was waving to the person behind me.
Beach or mountains? Beach
One life lesson you have learned so far? Don’t take yourself too seriously. Everyone is just figuring it out as they go.
Epitaph? She meant to eat healthy tomorrow.
