Jake Arnold’s Los Angeles Abode is a New Take on Old Hollywood Charm

Rip & Tan: Talk to us about your journey to interior design. How has Studio Jake Arnold evolved over the years?

Jake Arnold: My journey in interiors really began as a kid. I would rearrange my room all the time and have fun with various layouts. When I moved to LA in my early 20s, I took my first jobs at firms for a few designers in LA before founding my studio in 2020.

It has been so amazing to be out on my own with our firm. Not only are we able to work on private residence projects now, but we are working on some new commercial spaces and also launching product. It is all very new and exciting and I am grateful for my team that supports our collective vision as it continues to develop and unfold.

Rip & Tan: Beyond your design work, you also co-founded The Expert. What did you find was missing in the world of design and how does The Expert aim to fill that gap?

Jake Arnold: High-end design wasn’t attainable for the masses prior to The Expert. I would find my inbox flooded with DMs from followers about anything from specific fabrics to room layouts, to construction questions. All of the questions were relatively easy for me to answer, which is where the idea started.

There are people that can afford to design their space, but don’t necessarily need a full-service designer to execute the work. We thought these questions could easily be answered with an hour consultation and that that would be sufficient help for people to follow through and execute. So far so good, people are loving it! 

Rip & Tan: We’d love to know more about your process. What elements typically serve as your jumping-off point? Does it differ when working with clients versus designing this space for yourself?

Jake Arnold: Projects are very different than how I approach my own home.

For me personally, it’s all about collecting. One of the most important pieces in my place is my tapestry. I bought it shortly after I moved in from an antique store in Pasadena. It was love at first sight and I’ve evolved my space around it. It’s a true collection and evolution when I design the places I actually get to live in.

For clients, fortunately, or not, it’s almost the opposite approach. We have strict timelines we need to hit, so while we do love for the design to evolve, we also have to make sure we are sourcing effectively so that clients move in with everything they need. It’s still fun and exciting but more intentional and structured than how I design for myself. 

Rip & Tan: You create interiors that feel both of another era and yet completely timeless—lived-in, as if they’ve been there forever. In your own words, how would you describe your aesthetic?

Jake Arnold: Thank you, that is the goal. I would say that regardless of the style of the house, or our clients’ personal taste, our projects always have a mixture of high-impact elements, with a paired back, livable sensibility that makes our spaces still feel comfortable for everyday living. 

Rip & Tan: Your building is, in itself, an ode to old Hollywood, boasting previous tenants like F. Scott Fitzgerald—who specifically lived in the unit in which you now reside. How did this influence your approach? Do you pay any specific homage to the building’s historical significance?

Jake Arnold: There are so few preserved buildings throughout Los Angeles. It truly feels like such a dream to be able to live in one of them. This place has seen many occupants and lives, and I wanted the interiors to match that feeling. I wanted the furnishings to feel curated, well-traveled, and collected, rather than feeling almost too designed and intentional. 

Rip & Tan: Whether it be a specific work of art or a furniture find, do you have a favorite piece? What advice do you have for those wanting to source pieces that feel special and intentional?

Jake Arnold: My Giacometti-style coffee table is my current favorite. I love the iron table over the rush rug and it’s an easy piece to style with great books and objects. I think if you have your eye on a specific type of piece, keep looking for the right one and train your eye to find the best version of that within your budget. Researching and seeing what’s on Chairish or Etsy and taking your time to collect special pieces makes the search fun and worth it.  

Rip & Tan: Where did you source some of your standout pieces from? Any go-to spots in LA that you scour for design details?

Jake Arnold: A lot of the objects in my home are from NFS (Not For Sale) and other vintage pieces I have collected over the years. Most of the larger pieces of furniture like my sofa, dining table, and console are all custom made. Some favorite LA spots are NFS, the Window, Counterspace, and Lief. 

Rip & Tan: What tips do you have for those just beginning to conceptualize a space? Where do you turn when you need inspiration?

Jake Arnold: Books are key for me when I first start a project. I organize my book library by home type, so once I see the architecture we are working within or the bones we are trying to achieve I gather lots of inspiration by being targeted with my research.

Also, spending time in hotels and commercial spaces really inspires me with anything from furniture layouts, millwork details to upholstery. Sometimes even a 1st dibs deep dive and finding one epic piece can inspire a direction for a whole space or project. 

Rip & Tan: Your designs reveal a signature point of view—a distinct moodiness, layered and perfectly edited. What is your favorite way to achieve this sense of texture and intrigue in a space?

Jake Arnold: I think one of the throughlines of most of our spaces is that regardless of the color palette, we generally design spaces with a monochromatic tone. Avoiding high contrast and “pops of color” gives off that moodiness and layered feel that I think have become key points of my aesthetic.

Rip & Tan: What does living well mean to you?

Jake Arnold: Living well means living with balance and gratitude. There’s a time for work and for fun, and avoiding burnout is really important to me. Whenever I’m stressed, remembering to be grateful is the magic to turn my day around. I’m truly so lucky to have this life and be able to do what I love and live in this amazing city that has become home.