She’s best known for her iconic roles on the silver screen, but Diane Keaton's talent extends far beyond acting. Her stunning Californian home is a testament to her natural ability to curate beautiful and functional spaces that exude warmth and personality.
In an Instagram post shared by Keaton's longtime collaborator and designer extraordinaire, Stephen Shadley, we were offered a glimpse into a cozy corner of Keaton’s home that was revealed to be part of her somewhat unusual kitchen design.
Far from being just a kitchen, ‘this living room-style kitchen corner is a fresh twist on traditional design, blending cooking and living spaces seamlessly,’ observes Philip Vanderford, Founder of Studio Thomas James. ‘It’s a unique concept that transforms the typical kitchen into a multifunctional hub for both culinary activities and relaxation, perfect for the way we live today.’ It's a masterclass in making the kitchen feel cozy.
‘This space is remarkable,’ applauds Greg Roth, Senior Designer of Home Front Build. ‘It achieves several things at once. First, although it's filled with vintage and traditional furnishings, it has a distinctly modern feel to it. It's bright, spacious, and filled with plenty of beautiful objects. Yet the space remains uncluttered, and inviting.'
Keaton's living room-style kitchen seating has a decidedly homespun aesthetic, thanks to the addition of carefully curated personal artifacts and a statement rustic hearth that is characteristic of Spanish style homes. What’s more, the vintage weathered 'CALIFORNIA' sign letters add a sense of place, belonging, and history.
Designers often face a conundrum when it comes to the kitchen as a gathering space, though. 'Even with a generous kitchen island for seating and socializing, you are still in the kitchen, and often chatting amid meal preparation or clean-up,' explains Roth. 'We try to shoehorn our more connective, interactive activities into the confines of a utilitarian space – and it’s not always a good or comfortable fit. It’s not always as relaxing as we’d like it to be.'
'In Keaton's thoughtful interpretation, there is an actual designated area for sitting and relaxing that is separate from, and yet still a part of, the kitchen,' Roth continues. 'This is ingenious and feels like a natural progression of the expression of how we now live in and use our homes. Blurring the line between a home’s functional and private spaces and its more public and shared spaces in a way that is both seamless and eye-opening at the same time!'
Shop the Edit
Declare your love for the place you call home with these rustic letter blocks, perfect for adorning bookcases or open shelves.
The earthy texture of this small marble vessel gives it a weathered, vintage feel. At three inches tall, it’s the perfect size to mix and match with other stoneware elements.
Enhance your bookcase or coffee table with a collection of decorative books, designed to bring a cohesive color palette to your seating area.
‘To achieve a similar look at home, keep all the details comfortable and casual,’ recommends Philip Vanderford, interior designer at Studio Thomas James. ‘Incorporate cozy seating, like a plush living room sofa or inviting armchairs, and use layered lighting to create a warm atmosphere. Add decorative touches such as artwork, throw pillows, and blankets for personality and warmth.’
‘This is not easily achievable for everyone,’ admits Greg Roth. ‘But even a modest home – and budget – can potentially accommodate a version of these ideas. In particular, if we re-think a traditional set-up like an eat-in kitchen, swapping out the dining room furniture for some comfy upholstered living room-type seating and a side table or two, instantly shifts the paradigm of how those spaces are used and relate to one another. You’ve totally flipped things on their head in perhaps some provocative, interesting new ways.’
Diane Keaton's kitchen seating area is evidence of what's possible when we dare to dream outside the box.
