Jennifer Aniston's Bel Air home is a modern marvel that harks back to the past. Designed by Stephen Shadley, a longtime friend and collaborator, Aniston wanted to craft a family room exuding confidence, sophistication, and glamor. Sexy and fun was also part of her design lexicon, says Shadley in his book Designing Hollywood Homes.
In this family room, modern meets old Hollywood glamor for a contemporary take on the 'dated' 1950s trend. Curated with comfort in mind, the casually elegant color palette, straightforward and simple textiles, angular shapes, and minimalist furniture were chosen to not distract from the open air and beauty of the southern Californian landscape beyond.
Despite the mid-century modern bones of the home, designed by A. Quincy Jones and which had been modified by the architect Frederick Fisher, the stark modernist ambiance has been updated with a multitude of layers and textures.
Modern organic materials, substance and depth – wood, stone and bronze – add to the warmth of the place. This room has an 'old world meeting new world' feel to it, remarks Shadley.
Another notable feature in Aniston's family room is the 'quiet luxury' color palette. In a world where everything at times feels so fast-paced and chaotic, more and more people are turning to quieter room color ideas to create a sense of calm and stillness.
Decorating with neutrals, as Aniston has done, inspired by colors from the natural world, adds a gentle and soothing touch to interiors that can be layered with textures and tones to ebb and flow with the seasons.
The power of a neutral color palette to add luxury, warmth and elegance to a room should not be underestimated. When decorating with neutrals a key element is the importance of layering with textures and tonal shades.
‘Touch and comfort are key sensory triggers,’ says founder and CEO of The White Company, Chrissie Rucker OBE. 'When decorating with subtle colors, it is crucial to add in natural elements and pile on texture; a soft rug underfoot, or a diaphanous drape at a window can truly transform a room. Natural materials, such as weathered wood, linen, or marbled slate, connect us back to nature and add interest.'
Aniston has embraced this 'sensual' decor throughout – shag rugs, silk carpet, leather chairs and raw timber all make an entrance. It has a 'feed the soul' elegance that will never truly date.
