Vanessa Alexander’s Malibu Abode Speaks Its Own Design Language

Rip & Tan: What drew you to this particular property? Did the surrounding canyon landscape factor at all into your design?

Vanessa Alexander: We had been living in Malibu for many years in an area called Point Dume, which we adored and embraced, but we were looking for something a little bit away from the beach. We wanted to have more land and really create a compound that still felt connected to the Malibu community and life near the sea, but also felt kind of pastoral and secluded.  We found that in this gorgeous property, which is almost two acres with an incredible golden light ocean breeze and spectacular vistas.

We love to really embrace indoor-outdoor living, and this home—the way it’s designed, how it is situated on the land, as well as its outdoor living spaces—is really built to do that.

Rip & Tan: If you had to describe your interior style in just a few words, what would they be?

Vanessa Alexander: Lifestyle driven, authentic and not overdesigned, understated luxury, unique and personal, and embracing nature.

Rip & Tan: Can you tell us about your typical order of operations for an interior project? Do you begin with the big picture and zoom in or do you find yourself inspired by a detail and broadening the scope from there?

Vanessa Alexander: I absolutely start with the big picture. I am deeply influenced by the land and the sense of place—be it California or New York City, the country, beach, islands, or mountains. I think the physical environment of a home, which is intrinsically connected to how someone will live or see themselves in the space, is important to understand.

Equally paramount and connected is a need to understand the personality and lifestyle goals of the client. These two things come together to help forge a picture of how to design a home and a property holistically, and help develop a design language that meets and hopefully exceeds the dreams our clients have when they decide to work with us to build a home.

Rip & Tan: In terms of your own gorgeous home, what was the driving force? What kind of feeling did you envision for the completed space?

Vanessa Alexander: Well, we love living in Malibu and definitely embrace the life and nature of this beautiful community. I was not looking to design something overtly beachy in this home—in fact, I wanted the opposite! I of course wanted the house to feel at home in this environment, but I was looking to find a mature and elegant language of architecture, materials, design elements, and furniture, lighting, and art that’s all really thoughtful but not over-designed.

Rip & Tan: What portion of the design process do you find most challenging? Any tips for combatting those challenges when curating our own homes?

Vanessa Alexander: I think the biggest challenge is trying to design not just for now, but for your future.  I’m referring to not only how your life might change in terms of family, but also in terms of helping a client develop their design perspective in a way that will stand the test of time.

When you hire a designer to help you build your home, part of that choice is not just whether someone has good taste, but whether they can bring their body of knowledge and experience to the process and help you peer into the future to make choices.

When your design for yourself and you don’t have that professional group helping you and you need to rely on your own instincts, try not to poll the audience or fall for trends. Focus on things that really feel good emotionally and physically to the sense and touch.

Rip & Tan: Do you have any advice for adding lots of textural intrigue to a space in a way that they don’t compete?

Vanessa Alexander: I’m a fan of a tonal environment that allows for the layering of textures that don’t feel like they’re competing with each other. That doesn’t mean a room has to be neutral—it can still have color, but I would tend to keep the colors in the same family and then bring in hits of contrast in addition to texture with metal, wood, and reflective elements.

Rip & Tan: Whether it’s open storage or functional pieces designed to live on a countertop, what are some ways we can create spaces that are equal parts beautiful and livable?

Vanessa Alexander: There’s no need to suffer for beauty. It’s totally attainable to create something that’s beautiful and livable. Think about comfort and usability when making choices. Something can make you happy and look beautiful, yet still be durable and provide function.

Rip & Tan: Talk to us about these light fixtures—where do you source? What tips can you share for those hesitant to explore non-traditional lighting?

Vanessa Alexander: We design and make a lot of custom lighting and love finding beautiful vintage pieces—we also source a lot from Roll & Hill and Apparatus. I’m obsessed with lighting. It can totally transform a room, so I say chuck any fear aside and make a statement. Everything else in the room can be simple, elegant, and restrained, and then you can find an incredible light to make a space come alive.

Rip & Tan: Do you have any guidance for finding the right balance between vintage and contemporary elements? Are there any pieces in a home you tend to always prefer vintage or always prefer modern?

Vanessa Alexander: We tend to go vintage for chairs, lighting, rugs, and accessories, and then go custom or even at times big-box for upholstery pieces and key larger elements like dining tables. Lighting and chairs can be found at the highest end of the price point spectrum, but there are so many incredible vintage options from flea markets, estate sales, or auctions.

Rip & Tan: What does living well look like to you?

Vanessa Alexander: Living well to me is having an environment that feeds you with beauty and comfort, and has an emotional quality that adds to your life. A home cannot be well-designed if it doesn’t serve and foster the way you want to live!