Jenni Kayne On Collecting Art, A Timeless Palette and The Art Of Styling
© Pacific Natural: At Home by Jenni Kayne, Rizzoli New York, 2021.
© Pacific Natural: At Home by Jenni Kayne, Rizzoli New York, 2021.
Hailed by Forbes as "the ultimate California lifestyle brand," Jenni Kayne and the brand that bears her name have become famously known for their organic, relaxed, and nature-inspired aesthetic. Rooted in California minimalism style, Jenni Kayne is our go-to for earthy and effortless wardrobe staples and home decor.
This fall marks the release of Kayne’s first home design book, Pacific Natural: At Home. Read on for an excerpt in which Kayne shares how to bring her California-inspired style to life in every part of the home, sharing trade secrets such as her favorite neutral paint colors, personalized tips for collecting art, and her foolproof method for styling up shelves and tabletops.
Curating & Collecting Art
No room is complete without the addition of art. Creating a visual language within your space is the best way to express your personal taste.
Explore galleries, auctions, websites, and books.
When a piece speaks to you, find out the artist’s name. Your love for a specific artist might be a great indicator of the period or genre you’re interested in.
Take your time, purchasing pieces with the intention of creating a cohesive and long-lasting collection.
If you truly love something, it’s bound to work in any space you call home.
Invest in art that’s going to hold its value.
Trend-based pieces may lose luster over time, but works that are timeless or hold personal meaning will find value on and off the art market.
© Pacific Natural: At Home by Jenni Kayne, Rizzoli New York, 2021.
© Pacific Natural: At Home by Jenni Kayne, Rizzoli New York, 2021.
The Art of Styling
From your coffee table to the open shelving in the den, every surface in your space can tell a story.
The coffee table
Before you start styling, divide your surface into four separate quadrants, spending time on each one to ensure a balanced design. Shift your items around to find a structure that’s organized and personalized. Your coffee table can be a conversation starter. Display books that sit with the palette of the room and are meaningful and interesting. Finish by layering pieces like ceramics, metal, wood, or stone bowls and trays, followed by special objects you want to see every day.
The shelves
I try to create curated scenes with different vessels and objects that vary in size, shape, and color, such as books, bowls, and small pieces of art. Play with the number of books you stack. If your space is modern with cleaner lines, try varying heights to break up any sameness. If the rest of your décor leans more eclectic, use the opportunity to create shapely structure. Exercise restraint and give your items some room to breathe. I find that there is always beauty in asymmetry and purposeful space.
The Neutral Color Wheel
A timeless palette grounded in neutrals gives way to endless possibilities for layering, tone, and texture.
Paints
Portola Paints White Cliffs, Mont Blanc, Figueroa, Drop Out, Gem, Full Circle,Stone 1, Stone 2
Farrow & Ball Strong White, Pointing, Dimity, James White, Wimborne White
Benjamin Moore Barely There, Alaskan Husky, Steam, Gray Owl, Pure White
Fabrics, floors & finishes
Fabrics I love using natural, organic, and neutral fabrics. Linen, mohair, velvet, sheepskin, bouclé, leather, canvas, wool, and silk are constant favorites. Using an unexpected fabric in a neutral color is one of my favorite ways to keep things interesting and fresh while still using a quieter palette.
Materials While specific choices vary by house and style, it’s hard to go wrong with oak floors. I love stones like travertine, brick, terracotta, limestone, Calacatta, and Carrara. For a pristine and clean look, try corian or caesarstone.
© Pacific Natural: At Home by Jenni Kayne, Rizzoli New York, 2021.
© Pacific Natural: At Home by Jenni Kayne, Rizzoli New York, 2021.
For more of Kayne’s laid-back luxe style and never-before-seen photos of her own home, check out Pacific Natural: At Home.
Get the Jenni Kayne Look at Home
