Jenni Kayne Creates a Laid-Back Los Angeles Retreat for Her Brand’s CEO

It’s not too often that walking indoors feels like a breath of fresh air. But that’s exactly what designer Jenni Kayne managed to accomplish when she reimagined a traditional farmhouse in Los Angeles with an abundance of natural light and filled with her signature neutral hues, creating a bright and airy atmosphere that evokes a tranquil countryside retreat. Kayne’s homeware and apparel labels are beloved for offering pieces that are effortless, thoughtfully designed, and cohesive, so it comes as no surprise that this project embodies that ethos and then some.

Perched on a hill in Brentwood, a Los Angeles neighborhood famous for not only its celebrity residents but also for its treelined streets and sunny disposition, the house is owned by Julia Hunter, the CEO of Jenni Kayne’s eponymous brand as well as a longtime friend and collaborator. Renovations began as soon as Hunter and her husband moved in, with two toddlers and year-old twins in tow.

“The main objective was opening up the interior with a new, neutral palette, incorporating timeless fixtures, and honoring its vaulted ceilings and exposed wood beams with an elevated yet livable curation of furniture and decor,” explains Kayne, whose design team worked closely with Hunter to meet the needs of her growing family. They capitalized on the house’s existing good bones and a less-is-more approach in order to finish the project in under a year—a feat in today’s world of supply chain woes and extended deadlines. Yet you’d never know it from the sense of refinement and detail that carries through each room: Much like her brand’s elevated basics, the home is livable without sacrificing a strong and elevated aesthetic.

While simplicity appears to be at the forefront of Kayne’s approach, a closer look proves that the finished result is anything but. The team zeroed in on smaller elements they knew would pack a punch rather than taking on a full structural overhaul. “We refrained from changing the layout of the rooms and instead paid attention to the subtler touches,” Kayne explains. “This renovation was focused on the details—every single finish and fixture was changed, from the lights and hardware to the tile, stone and paint.”

From choosing soft hues that reflect the abundance of natural light to new hardware with an updated country feel, each selection was meant to emphasize the home’s existing attributes. As a result, each room feels well lived-in and well loved, yet also sleek and refined. The entry, an airy space with exposed beams and double doors leading to a side patio, sets the stage for the rest of the house, with a blue-and-white tile floor—one of the few appearances of color or pattern in the project—that acts as an opening act for the tranquil tones that follow it.

With seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and three half-baths, avoiding redundancy was no simple task. “One of the biggest challenges,” says Kayne, “was figuring out how to make the space feel cohesive while still giving it character. There was a lot of square footage to cover, so keeping everything in sync wasn’t easy.” The shift in neutrals from room to room feels seamless, while the use of hardwood flooring and natural wood furniture throughout lends an organic feel to every space.

The home’s open living spaces now allow for Hunter to have a careful eye on her children, and comfortable-yet-durable furnishings and fabric were prioritized to make the combination of young children and white fabrics stress-free. Several pieces from the Jenni Kayne brand have made themselves at home, each embodying the marriage of form and function that her line is known for. Whether it’s a tailored linen sofa that can withstand everyday family life or a handknit sweater made from subtly luxurious yarn, each piece is designed to be part of a collective whole—and now, Hunter’s own home is an extension of that mission.

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