jeremiah brent: decorating with white
Designer Jeremiah Brent brought the warmth of Morocco’s sun-bleached shoreline to his client’s Malibu condo.
Published Dec 8, 2014 5:04 PM
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
When Jeremiah Brent first stepped into his clients’ Malibu, California, condo, he fell in love with its 180-degree ocean view. Inspired by the home’s surroundings, he imagined transforming the outmoded three-bedroom apartment into an airy oasis with clean lines and a cool, neutral palette. But the space, constructed in the 1950s, hadn’t been renovated since the ’70s. “It desperately needed to be deconstructed and reconstructed,” he explains, “so that it could seem as open and happy as its new inhabitants.”
playful sophistication
Paying homage to the couple’s passion for travel and their craving for simplicity, Brent devised a whitewashed, “coastal Moroccan” theme for their interiors. “It became about finding pieces, such as bone-inlay tables, that connected with Morocco,” he says. “They make the space appear worldly.” Working principally with neutrals allowed the designer the freedom to play with textures and fabrics in a way that he might not ordinarily have considered, such as the layering of a Tibetan throw over the living area’s coffee table. “The juxtaposition of rough and soft feels subtle and possesses a certain laid-back sophistication,” he explains.
Wall color in Precious Pearls (DEW386), Dunn-Edwards; SOFA: Custom Oliver sectional in natural linen, modshopstyle.com; Coffee TABLE custom London in white oak, modshopstyle.com; FUR Tibetan goat rug in bleached white, calypsostbarth.com; SIDE TABLE (right of couch) Sava three-footed mecox.com; SIDE TABLE (left of couch) Bamileke carved wood potterybarn.com; FLOOR LAMP Walker with ivory shade weegohome.com
Much of the dining area’s decor was either discovered in or inspired by Morocco, including the reticulated wall hanging that serves as the room’s focal point. “It adds great texture,” Brent says, “and it looked amazing after we painted it white.”
DINING TABLE reclaimed Russian oak parsons restorationhardware.com
Rock the casbah! Brent brought drama to the bedroom’s palette simply by draping linen over this modern four-poster.
BED Portica queen canopy standard in stainless steel roomandboard.com; THROW vintage Moroccan wedding blanket, shoplatitude.com
Though a big fan of seeking out cost-effective design options, Brent also believes in investing in certain key pieces. “The floating table between the entryway and the dining room was an important splurge,” he says. “Design should feel curated. And, when combined with less-pricey accessories, the vintage marble table made the space feel assembled and luxe.”
“It’s a marathon and not a sprint. Take the time to invest in your space.” —Jeremiah Brent