Tour a Designer’s 100-Year-Old LA Retreat
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Interior designer Jessica Pell has a knack for spotting beauty in the unexpected and, better still, magically unlocking it. Her home in Eagle Rock is proof. “Having lived in a Schindler for many years, I am drawn to soulful spaces that connect thoughtfully to the site, light, and nature, and I developed a deep appreciation for places with history and a strong sense of presence,” says the founder and principal of Manola Studio. But Pell’s dream of owning a home in Los Angeles that checked all her boxes felt out of reach—until the day she stumbled upon this one. “From the moment I saw it, I was immediately charmed,” says the designer—for all the same reasons, it turned out, that other buyers were not.
The Colonial-style house, built in 1924, sat perched atop a hill, fronted by a winding road and an arroyo stone and brick pathway, and surrounded by sprawling oak trees embracing the entire property. What others might have overlooked, Pell saw as enchanting. “It was the long approach and the feeling it evoked—quiet, inward, and peaceful—that drew me in,” says the designer. “That moment of pause, along with the home’s connection to nature and its sweeping mountain views, offered a chance to leave the bustle of the day behind,” adds the LA native.
The home needed reviving, sure, but as someone who specializes in restoring and renovating architecturally significant buildings, it was all in a day’s work for Pell—or eight months’ worth, if you’re really counting. She aimed to tread lightly, highlighting the abode’s timeless bones while breathing new life in, just in time for its 100th birthday. “Designing this home was a rare and precious opportunity to craft a space that truly reflects who I am, surrounded by the things I love,” says Pell. “It’s a place that celebrates my passions, values, and my love for craft and beauty.”
The dream was to create a sanctuary that felt deeply personal and undeniably her. She designed ample storage for her collections of books, objects, textiles, art, and ceramics, and even drew flowers gifted to her from dear friends on the walls of her powder room to keep them alive in a unique way. “My morning tea ritual is woven into the design with a special cabinet next to a window overlooking the backyard for my teas, tinctures, and herbs,” Pell adds.
As for the decor, she followed a no-rule policy. “It’s a curated conversation of textures, warmth, and sculptural pieces that I’ve collected over the years,” says Pell, who contrasted the plush, textured seating with natural wood, stone, and tactile fabrics to evoke a rustic-meets-refined vibe. She followed a similar approach for the shell, maintaining soft, creamy walls to highlight the original French doors, windows, and hardwood floors, as well as the surrounding nature and the objects and art on display. “Each element reflects a love for craftsmanship, storytelling, and a gentle, unpretentious elegance that feels deeply personal and inviting. I preserved everything I could in its original state,” adds the designer, who maximized vintage buys to turn back the clock to the 1920s.
Even after two years of living in the house, Pell still lives under its spell. “I turn a corner and find myself admiring the view into a room or how the light moves through a space, and I just have to pinch myself,” she marvels. The home has become a living canvas for her studio’s ethos, but on a deeper level, it’s the place’s sanctuary-like spirit that Pell enjoys most. “The backyard is deeply grounding and connects me to nature,” says the designer, who created a native garden, welcoming pollinators, birds, and critters. “I love lounging in the hammock, hosting friends for backyard gatherings, and feeling grateful to be surrounded by mature trees.” One thing’s for sure: around here, there’s no shortage of beauty, expected or unexpected.
1/9“It’s a space that celebrates everything I love,” says designer Jessica Pell of the living room, filled with books, collected objects, and layered textiles. A modular sofa, vintage Anatolian rug, and vintage travertine coffee table from 1stDibs contribute to the room’s laid-back vibe.
2/9An ornate ottoman from a flea market takes pride of place in one living room corner.
3/9Warm tea, treetop views, and a roaring fire in the living room—in that order—are Pell’s idea of a perfect winter evening. Kaiser Leuchten sconces from Germany, sourced via Lumfardo, flank a Rook mantel mirror by Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu and Georgia.
4/9Pell knocked down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a fluid space for cooking, hosting, and gathering. Characterized by quarter-sawn white oak millwork and Calacatta Viola marble countertops, the modern kitchen is a sun-kissed oasis by day and a glowing jewel box by night.
5/9Overlooking oak trees and sweeping mountains, the primary bedroom is a sanctuary that echoes the surrounding calm. The rug is a vintage Kilim find.
6/9An antique brass mirror and burnished faucets from Waterworks give the powder room an old-world air.
7/9The art studio, separate from the home, is nestled into the hillside under a canopy of trees.
8/9The art studio is a quiet retreat with original windows and a large work table. “It’s a deeply creative space that inspires me every time I’m there,” says Pell. Hood sconces from Ravenhill Studio enliven the wall.
9/9Model chairs by Wulf Wood soak in the sunshine on the patio.
