Jenni Kayne Minimalist Home
Jenni Kayne Minimalist Home

Get the Look Of Designer Jenni Kayne’s Modern Minimalist Home

Words by Jody Hume | 9.28.16
Jenni Kayne’s eye for style pretty much knows no bounds. In her eponymous clothing line at JenniKayne.com you’ll find beautiful, well-tailored basics. On her lifestyle blog Rip & Tan there’s endless inspiration for everything from hosting outdoor gatherings to dreamy travel destinations to organic beauty products. And in her homes, her minimalist aesthetic is on display in interiors that marry a quiet palette with luxe pieces focused on texture and natural materials. To go along with her curated edit of home pieces on the site, we asked for her tips on what to splurge on when it comes to decor, how to avoid the biggest design mistake and how to edit your space to keep it feeling fresh.
Your home marries rustic elements with sleek modern furnishings and contemporary art. What’s your advice for successfully mixing pieces from different sources and eras?
I always gravitate towards soft neutral colors and natural materials like wood, stone and marble. This makes it easier to mix and match pieces from different eras and incorporate color through artwork. I feel like this technique creates a warm, eclectic and interesting environment while still feeling really calm and minimalist.
Christofle Bowl
Christofle Bowl
What are your tips for making your home feel cozy for fall?
Texture and scent can really change the mood in your home. Baskets filled with firewood or sheepskin rugs on the floor and on benches or chairs instantly create warmth and a cozy feeling. Incorporate some Juniper Ridge incense or Diptyque’s Feu de Bios (wood fire) candle and you’ll really enhance the feeling of fall.
Who are your favorite artists?
There are too many to name! I love Richard Diebenkorn, Raymond Pettibon, James Turrell, Robert Graham, Elizabeth Peyton, Cecily Brown and Christopher Wool for starters.
What’s your favorite room in your house?
Like many other families, the kitchen is the heart of our home. I love cooking and entertaining and so we use the space a lot. We catch up with each other in the kitchen, and use cooking and preparing for guests as a way to touch base and reconnect.
What’s a design mistake you have made or that people often make?
I’m a firm believer that less is more. Too much layering and clutter in a home can take away from the space. I like focusing on a few special pieces and really letting them be focal points in the room.
If you can only splurge on one piece for your home, what should it be?
It should be something that you absolutely love and that makes you happy every time you walk into the room. Even better if it’s an important piece of art or furniture, like a great vintage chair, that will hold its value for years to come.
Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair
Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair
Who are your favorite furniture designers?
Hans Wegner, Borge Mogensen, Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, and Bruno Mathsson to name a few.
What influences your home design? Where do you find aesthetic inspiration?
I’m a very visual person, so I find inspiration everywhere. Architecture always inspires me. Rudolph Schindler, Vincent Van Duysen, Christian Liaigre, and Rose Uniacke are a few of my favorites. Nature also inspires me. Being outdoors clears my mind and allows me to think creatively.
How often do you switch up your decor? What is your advice for editing?
I make changes to a room a few times a year mostly by switching up the accessories. I’ll make some changes as the seasons change, or when I find something new that I love. I think focusing on the big picture makes sense when you’re decorating a room from scratch but, once you have pieces that you love, you can just make changes here and there to keep things fresh.
Do you resell your pieces? Can you tell us about something you recently consigned?
I always try to buy things that I love and won’t get sick of, or that are classic and don’t go out of style, but occasionally I’ll sell or give away pieces that don’t work in a new space. Whenever you move homes, as we recently did, there are always one or two things that don’t work anymore.

Shop Jenni’s home decor edit here.

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