Pacific Natural California Cool Interiors: How to Get the Look Now!

Happy Thanksgiving! I sure hope my baking and cooking are done by the time you’re reading this. 🙂 And I hope you’re enjoying a delicious day of thanks. While it’s true I enjoy devouring design books and shelter magazines as much as turkey and stuffing, a couple of them truly stand out. I just spent the afternoon with PACIFIC NATURAL AT HOME (Rizzoli, 2021) by Jenni Kayne and could not put it down. Like. I could not. (Apparently I’m so smitten I’m totally like talking valley or whatever.) Pacific Natural California Cool Interiors: How to Get the Look will be a stream of consciousness summary of what I digested from the delicious “research.” But this summary will not do. Buy the book immediately. Oh my Lord, it’s a killer combo of Belgian chic with laid back luxe West Coast cool, and I want to live inside the pages.

Pacific Natural California Cool Interiors: How to Get the Look

1. Buy This Book Immediately. You’ll Thank Me.

No, I’m not being silly; nor is this sponsored. It’s just that freakin good and that freakin inspiring.

Why? Two words: Jenni Kayne.

2. Think More About Subtraction Than Addition

As you study the look of Pacific Natural and California Cool, you’ll notice again and again certain design elements intentionally left out or eliminated.

This minimal, calm, pared-down look is a result of doing away with a lot of traditional wood trims and casings and embellishments around doors, windows, and walls.

3. Welcome in Natural Light

For a sunny outlook for interiors and you, allow as much light into your space as possible. If privacy is an issue, filter the light with linen window treatments or creative screening. It certainly doesn’t matter if you live far from California sunshine…I have been keeping my windows naked for decades in the middle of the country and can attest to its power.

4. Incorporate Natural Materials Whenever Possible

You’ll notice white oak playing a starring role in many of the interiors within the book, and it’s such a winning, European-yet-California-cool-inspired design element to get the look. Jenni Kayne recommends bringing in natural stone, wood, and linen, cotton, and plants.

5. Stick to Neutral Colors

“A timeless palette grounded in neutrals gives way to endless possibilities for layering, tone, and texture.” – Jenni Kayne

But which neutral paint colors?

Jenni Kayne has some favorites she uses again and again. For Benjamin Moore colors, try Alaskan Husky, Barely There, Gray Owl, Steam, and Pure White

For Portola Paints (check out their amazing Roman Clay and Limewash finishes), try Drop Out, White Cliffs, Figueroa, Full Circle, Mont Blanc, Stone 1, Gem, and Stone 2.

And for Farrow & Ball colors…

try Dimity, Strong White, James White, Wimborne White, and Pointing. Find them RIGHT HERE.

6. Bring Nature Indoors

Jenni Kayne’s book will give you all sorts of inspiration to bring branches and foliage inside and to decorate with living potted trees.

7. Style Your Coffee Table & Shelves

Get your copy of PACIFIC NATURAL AT HOME for Jenni Kayne’s take on the art of styling.

8. Train Your Eye With Jenni Kayne’s Help

The fresh modern approach to California cool interiors and lifestyle is easy to love, and spending time on Jenni’s site HERE will deliver resources plus all the inspiration you need.

9. Make Sure to Study Jenni Kayne’s First Book, PACIFIC NATURAL

For entertaining and lifestyle tips, do check out Pacific Natural.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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