4 min readFor interior designer Jeremiah Brent, updating a family's residence in Westlake Village, California, was about honoring the “good bones” already in place and redefining spaces to finesse the floor plan. “The goal was to find the balance between the pedigree of traditional design and the playfulness of modern design,” says Brent.
The designer and TV personality took on the family's five-bedroom, seven-bathroom house after renovating their vacation home in the Bay Area. Spanning more than 10,500 square feet, their primary base in Los Angeles needed to be suitable for “the art of gathering,” and replete with cleverly designed outdoor spaces perfect for conversation, which Brent calls “an integral part of the client’s lifestyle.”
The property, originally built in 2013, features detailed millwork, but it needed a few structural additions to boost its functionality and charm. Reclaimed timber beams by Ross Alan Lumber in the living room and kitchen foster warmth, while a small area off the kitchen features a custom Calacatta Paonazzo marble desk and hidden storage for more mundane supplies. In the bar area, custom white oak millwork holds happy hour necessities. “They've always had a love for entertaining, and this is a house where everybody visits, the designer says.
Throughout the home, natural materials and contemporary furniture in a neutral palette blend old and new. Layers of low seating in the living room surround an antique limestone fireplace mantel and accentuate the high, slanted ceiling. The primary bedroom is wrapped in breezy linen bedding and cozy textiles. “There are so many stories and memories that the home holds,” Brent says. “We came to breathe some fresh air into it so it feels ready for a new chapter.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Jeremiah Brent
Location: Los Angeles, California
The Space: A five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home across 10,000 square feet.
ENTRYWAY
A curved staircase brings a wow moment before you even set foot in the house.
Intricate molding and a gently curving staircase give the home’s formal entryway drama and presence. Custom pieces, like a Grant Larkin chandelier, nod to the scale of the architecture.
OFFICE NOOK
A clever use of space grants the homeowners a spot for last-minute Zoom calls.
Something, the best moments come from a spark of ingenuity. Here, Brent made the most of an unused nook by transforming it into a chic work from home space, complete with a custom marble desk and cabinetry to elevate daily tasks.
LIVING ROOM
Vaulted ceilings get a touch of patina from reclaimed beams.
With easy entertaining as the mandate, Brent packed the living room with multiple seating arrangements, relying on couches, a chaise, and several chairs and tables to make sure everyone has a spot to hang.
KITCHEN
Ample white cabinetry ensures there’s plenty of room for out-of-sight storage.
For an entertaining-loving family, dual island were a no brainer. One is geared towards prep—including a second sink and integrated butcher block cutting board—while the other boasts stools so guests can keep the cook company. An open window overlooking a yard is "so romantic," Brent says.
BAR
A dedicated hangout zone eliminates the need to every leave home for a cocktail.
Wicker Rohé Noordwolde barstools, a custom slate and bronze table by J. Pickens, and custom white oak millwork “work together to make it feel like you've gone out, even on a night in,” Brent says.
POWDER ROOM
Roman clay walls add a cozy, velvet-y finish.
In the powder room, gleaming brass antiques accent rich wall paint in Nitty Gritty Roman Clay by Portola Paints. A custom marble sink adds to the room’s inherent patina.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Trim softens angular ceilings, turning it into an intentional design moment.
Dressed in serene shades of cream, brown, rust, and taupe, the primary suite is both dynamic and restful. "It feels like a nest," Brent says.
PLAYROOM
Elevated art helps bridge the gap between childhood fun and high design.
Playfully referred to as homeowner’s daughter’s “office,” this imaginative play space relies on a sophisticated palette and sculptural furniture to blend with the rest of the home. Her own art adds a touch of whimsy.
PORCH
Climbing vines bring charm and color to the exterior.
Set off the guest room, this outdoor area "creates a vacationesque getaway for anyone visiting," Brent says.
GARDEN
A series of arched trellises add structure and give plants something to climb.
To create a comfortable and refined seating area in the rose garden, Brent dressed up durable indoor-outdoor fabric by Pollack (chair cushions) and Perennials (pillows) with Samuel & Sons trim. The ADG Lighting lanterns are hardwired, so they're easy to set and adjust.
About the Designer
Jeremiah Brent is an interior designer, television host, author, and founder of Jeremiah Brent Design (JBD), a full service interior design firm with offices in Los Angeles and New York City. Brent’s fine-honed intuition and sophisticated sensibilities surrounding design have led to the transformation of countless homes and commercial properties across the world. With an emphasis on personalization and protecting what keeps us truly connected to the spaces we inhabit, JBD celebrates each client’s story and lifestyle through bespoke and uncharted designs; all embodying Brent’s ethos that interior design should reflect one’s past, present, and future.
