At first glance, you wouldn’t be surprised that a creative lives in this sunny bungalow. Everything looks effortlessly collected, layered and curated. Everywhere you look is an art piece or furniture or accent that is completely visually appealing and interesting. All of this was a deliberate choice by the home’s owner, artist and designer Jennifer Miller, who wanted her space to feel like an extension of her art.
Michael P.H. Clifford
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom Spanish-style house originally had good bones, but lacked personality and a cohesive design when Jennifer moved in 10 years ago. She knew it needed layers of texture, color tones, and artistry.
Michael P.H. Clifford
“My primary goal was to create a space that felt like a true reflection of my artistic spirit and love for nature,” she explains. “I envisioned a home that was both serene and inspiring, a place where I could recharge and create. I wanted it to feel like a tranquil garden retreat, filled with light, color, and texture.”
The design inspiration for the home came from different places—Jennifer’s love of art, her travel experiences, and most importantly that classic, effortless California living vibe.
Michael P.H. Clifford
“I sought to bring the organic forms and vibrant colors of the outdoors in, drawing inspiration from the verdant gardens of Silver Lake, the sun-kissed palette of the California coast, and the timeless elegance of the home’s Spanish architecture,” Jennifer says. “My own artwork, along with a carefully curated collection I’ve amassed over time, served as a compass, guiding the color schemes and patterns throughout the house. My home also functions as a personal design laboratory—a space where I can experiment with bolder color palettes, intricate patterns, and the artful layering of textures, pushing the boundaries of my creative vision.”
Michael P.H. Clifford
The living room gets a lot of natural light, so Jennifer amplified the brightness by painting the dark-stained ceiling beams a crisp white. She chose soft, organic textures in the upholstery to create a comfortable environment. To pair with curated artwork (both Jennifer’s and other artists’), collected vintage textiles were incorporated.
Michael P.H. Clifford
Jennifer made the primary bedroom a tranquil sanctuary, anchored by her own wallpaper, Miller House’s “Vines” wallpaper in the “Salt” colorway. “Layers of intrigue were added with hand-painted Japanese garden flowers and inlaid Indian chests repurposed as nightstands,” she adds. “The resulting layered aesthetic, though intricate, evokes a remarkable sense of calm.”
Michael P.H. Clifford
She kept the original quirky yellow and turquoise tile in the bathroom, and updated the space with Farrow & Ball wallpaper and new light fixtures. “We elevated the entire space, proving that embracing existing character can yield unexpectedly refined results,” she says.
Michael P.H. Clifford
Jennifer says designing for herself provided her with creative freedom—she didn’t need to compromise on her vision or aesthetic and could create a space that really resonated with her soul. But while it was freeing, it did require some self-discipline and objectivity since she says it was easy to get lost in the details.
The finished design is a pure reflection of her artistic vision and personal style—and Jennifer is incredibly happy with it. She loves that the renovation felt very natural, and the home continues to evolve over time.
Michael P.H. Clifford
“One of the most compelling aspects of this home’s evolution is its organic, almost narrative-driven transformation,” she explains. “It’s a space that continuously reinvents itself, guided by an intuitive sense of discovery. Just when I believe the design is complete, a compelling piece finds its way in, a commission sparks a new creative direction, or a piece that wasn’t quite right for a specific design project finds its true home here. This process, one of patient cultivation and allowing the creative journey to unfold naturally, imbues the home with a unique history—a story that seems to be writing itself, one carefully curated layer at a time.”
