32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com FACE TO FACE When Lauren Rosenberg says “this may be the best time of my life,” one would have reason to issue a challenge. After all, the Carmel resident has been a successful portrait artist, interior designer and publicist, spending time in Hollywood, London and Paris along the way. She even wrote a regular society column for publications in Phoenix. After studying at the California College of Arts & Crafts, Rosenberg earned a degree in interior architecture from Arizona State University and began taking on high-profile projects. Design came easy to Rosenberg, her mother being esteemed interior designer Elaine Ryan, author of Color Your Life: How to Design Your Home With Colors From Your Heart. But there was an unrequited love in Rosenberg’s heart. “I love television,” she says. Rosenberg is wrapping up the first season of a YouTube series Carmel Life With Lauren: What’s Your Carmel Story?—essentially a television lifestyle program she hosts along with her dog, Katie of Carmel. She describes it as “Emily in Paris meets Neiman Marcus meets This Is Your Life.” The show features such notables as theater director Palmer Davis, rock ‘n’ roll photographer Tom O’Neal and artists at Westbrook Modern Gallery, among others. Born in New York, Rosenberg grew up in the Scottsdale, Arizona area. She had returned to Scottsdale and took care of her mother for 10 years. She found Carmel on a trip, then moved to the community after her mother died in 2024. Weekly: So why Carmel? Rosenberg: I came here to heal. I didn’t like the weather in Scottsdale. When I came to Carmel, I was blown away by how kind and friendly people were. And they all have interesting stories. A lot of people retire in Carmel. I moved here to get started. But you’ve already had successful careers. I’ve always wanted to create my own TV show. I’ve always had that in my blood. My father was on the team to create color TV at CBS. I remember watching TV when I was little and looking behind the TV—those glass tube sets—and thinking, “How do I get in there?” If I had a guidance counselor, they would have said, “Get a degree in broadcast journalism.” But I didn’t have a guidance counselor. I went into interior design because it was what I knew. What were your favorite shows growing up? If I say Father Knows Best I’ll date myself. The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where she tosses her hat in the air. I could say the Dick Van Dyke Show, too. But that’s Mary Tyler Moore again. Mike Douglas, obviously Oprah, Dinah Shore—can’t forget her. I would like my own talk show. Watching Carmel Life With Lauren, it seems like you’re a natural. My happy place is in front of a camera. As a publicist, I would get clients on TV and I’d watch thinking, “I should be up there.” I have a level of quality I wanted for the show. I didn’t want a silly podcast. Have you always been outgoing? When I was a girl, my favorite thing was show-and-tell. I love to talk about whatever. So you don’t stop. [Smiling] No. But I’m a great listener, too. I love to hear people’s stories. I’m meeting everybody through fresh eyes. I’m interested in people with a great Carmel story. There are a lot of people to interview. Who is your target audience? It’s really for the residents of Carmel. This isn’t about PR, but because I’m a publicist, I am accustomed to boasting about my clients. But this is also the kind of show I could take to other cities. If I can grow it, I’d love to do it. Ever the entrepreneur. I like your theme song. It has a 1960s-’70s television quality. Yeah? I like it, too. I wanted it to be like Michael Bublé. It’s jazzy, upbeat. Emily in Paris? You haven’t watched Emily in Paris? You’re a guy. You love Carmel, but you’ve been in some interesting places. Europe? I had the opportunity to stay with a friend who was living in Paris. I packed my bags for summer, fall, winter and spring. Those were great days. You can’t read that experience in a book, you have to live it. But this is my favorite place. This is it for me. Carmel Life With Lauren: What’s Your Carmel Story? can be viewed at youtube.com/@carmellifewithlauren. Life Style A new Carmel resident tells the story of the city’s people and places in a YouTube series. By Dave Faries Lauren Rosenberg with Katie of Carmel, a corgi-Jack Russell terrier mix. The community’s dog-friendly nature is one of the reasons Rosenberg appreciates Carmel. DANIEL DREIFUSS Golden Oldies Cat Rescue Adopt•Volunteer•Foster•Donate Older Cats New Beginnings www.gocatrescue.org 831•200•9232 Ryder is a Love Bug He’s 12. He loves to greet his person at the door. He loves to cuddle on the couch. He loves sunbeams. Meet Ryder & fall in LOVE! Learn more about Ryder on our website.
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