How KES Studio Designed Tracy Tutor’s Beverly Hills Dream Home

Rip & Tan: From the interior designer perspective and the interiors-minded client perspective, how would you each describe your general approach to design? 

Kara Smith: My first consideration is my client. I like to find out what is important to them, how they live, and importantly, what are their overall aspirations for the project. From there I start to develop a vision, pulling together colors, materials and things that inspire me.

Tracy Tutor: Both Kara and I felt that bringing light and texture to a beautiful late 1920s Spanish architecture home was the direction that we wanted to go. The house had dark beams, floors, and materials that changed in each room, making the home feel smaller and darker. So our general approach was to bring as much light and consistency with materials to make it feel bigger and brighter, layering texture in fabric, rather than a lot of color to have it feel warm and inviting without too much color. 

Rip & Tan: Even prior to beginning the project, what made you most eager to work together?

Kara Smith: Tracy is a well-known figure within the community. We were introduced through her ex-husband, Jason Maltas, and I instantly knew this would be a great collaboration. I love working with clients in a variety of styles, but I don’t know if I’ve ever worked with a client whose tastes so closely matched my own. She has a great eye for luxury and beauty, so it was really fun to create something special together.

Tracy Tutor: I had always admired Kara’s work as a designer, but she is also a business-minded designer. It’s hard to find someone that can be as visually talented in her vision, but also be able to deliver on my timelines and within a budget that worked for me. There are very few designers that can do both.

Rip & Tan: The space feels so luxe, yet grounded in its earthiness. How did you strike this balance? 

Kara Smith: Luxe comes from making each choice around quality and livability. Choosing comfortable seating and arrangements in a very chic way was the goal. We wanted her house to have a luxe, minimalist feel.

Rip & Tan: We’d love to hear more about the design process from start to finish. What was the initial vision? How did you collaborate to bring it to life? 

Tracy Tutor: We knew our vision from the beginning and Kara understood the chaotic life I lead, so I wanted my home to feel serene and happy. We met twice a month consistently in her office. We started with our vision board and then every meeting had a distinct focus, starting with elements like floors, hardware, doors, baseboards and beams.  Then once that was clear, we moved into rooms and began to have meetings specific to the rooms we were working on. I always had three choices in each room for lighting, window treatments, furniture and then some.

What made the process so much more refined for me was being able to see the scale of every piece we selected, and how it would be in the room, so I never had to see anything in person. It was that kind of detail that made our meetings very successful and the decisions easier. Kara has a well-oiled machine and considered my time valuable. They were always one step ahead of me, so when I had any questions, they were answered on the spot.

Rip & Tan: As you move through the interior, what elements do you credit most with giving it a true feeling of home? 

Kara Smith: The house feels so calm and inviting, which was one of our goals. The warmth we were able to achieve was largely due to the use of the perfect color white and other neutral tones and how they complement the oak floors. 

Rip & Tan: So much character comes through with the accents you’ve chosen for the space. Can you give us a few insights into the sourcing and curation process? 

Kara Smith: This part of the project is particularly important to me. I love building art and accessory collections for my clients. This starts early in the design process, identifying significant art moments and looking for the perfect fit. Throughout the job, I’m shopping for vintage and new accessories. Books are handpicked, and we source from many interesting gallery bookstores.

Rip & Tan: Whether in terms of aesthetics or lifestyle, what were some of the must-haves in the finished interior?

Tracy Tutor: I have teenagers and dogs, so for me to use a more neutral palate was always a little nerve-wracking because I like my home to look like no one lives there, but also be comfortable and “people proof.” So we chose a lot of materials that were outdoor for the interior and easily cleanable. We also went with light floors that wouldn’t show the dirt the way a darker floor would, so I could maintain the house and the aesthetic vision I wanted without stressing about it.  

Rip & Tan: If you had to pick a favorite corner or spot in the space, which is it and why?

Tracy Tutor: That is so hard for me because I love every single room. I spend a lot of time in the office/bar for obvious reasons, I am a working mom. So there is that…but I love my primary suite, bathroom and closet the absolute most. It’s inviting and feminine and airy without being fussy.  

Rip & Tan: In your own words, what is it about this home that embodies a sense of timelessness? 

Kara Smith: There’s a freshness to the furniture styles and the fabrics. In making our selections we opted for sophisticated and well-crafted instead of anything too trendy or “of the moment”. We wanted the house to reflect the taste of a sophisticated and discerning homeowner. 

Tracy Tutor: Whenever I think about a home that is timeless, it is never focused on what is on trend at the moment, but a feeling. That always starts with the architecture and having the design not veer too far from that. By keeping the colors and materials more muted, we were able to mix vintage pieces with newer materials and maintain a more timeless feel that would appeal to anyone. I mean, I sell luxury real estate, so I am always bearing in mind what appeals to a buyer.