Roti Brown’s Studio is a Masterclass in Seeing Potential

Rip & Tan: Can you tell us a bit about the space itself? What was the interior like when you found it?

Roti Brown: The space was a bit of a mess when I found it. I completely gutted the interior and started from scratch.  It was a blank pallet of endless possibilities. I think in some ways this made the project a little more intimidating. Not to mention it is an extremely small space so I knew that every design decision needed to be intentional.

Rip & Tan: Walk us through the design process—what was your initial vision? Any major sources of inspiration?

Roti Brown: Immediately, I knew I wanted the space to feel warm and clean. I’m continuously inspired by nature, so it was important to me that it was reflected. I leaned heavily on neutral tones with deep earthy accents for some contrast.

Natural light was a big part of the inspiration as well.  I wanted the whole space to feel as bright as possible throughout the day. There are a lot of beautiful tones in the nature surrounding the house, lush greens, and shades of brown from the trees in the area. When stepping inside, I wanted the experience to feel like you were soaking up the surroundings, while maintaining a level of elevated simplicity.

Rip & Tan: What were some of the biggest design to-dos for this project? Do you have any tips for someone starting an interiors project of their own?

Roti Brown: Some of the biggest to-dos were raising the ceiling, staining and fitting the french doors, and picking the proper paint colors.

My biggest tip, especially if you’re on a budget, is to map out your top design and build priorities first. Think about how you want the space to look and feel overall then, plan what other details you want to fit within that vision.

Rip & Tan: Each nook feels so intentional—what are some of the ways you make the most of an open concept floor plan?

Roti Brown: I think less is more when it comes to an open floor plan.  My main goal was to make sure the space still felt open, airy, and breathable. I chose not to clutter it with too many items because I did not want to feel closed in.

Choosing the right color and paint texture were also essential. The bright white helped to make the ceilings feel even higher. And the plastered accent wall gave the room subtle texture and depth, which really adds to the whole ‘warm but clean’ feeling I was going for.

Rip & Tan: Do you have any advice for incorporating layered textures in a minimalist, neutral aesthetic?

Roti Brown: Yes. I think an easy way to do this is to play with texture in various different spaces and items in your home. For example, a vintage wooden table, boucle item, simple linen furniture piece, and a knotted rug in one room will all help to contribute to interesting layers of texture. 

Keeping the color palette neutral will help to maintain minimalism and keep the room looking sophisticated and chic.

Rip & Tan: We spy some Jenni Kayne Home—do you have a favorite piece of furniture or décor?

Roti Brown: It’s hard to pick one because I love them all! But, I’m obsessed with my Miramar Sofa. It’s a huge crowd-pleaser and comfortable spot for guests to lounge on when I’m entertaining. Functional and chic—my favorite combination.

Rip & Tan: You’ve achieved such a seamless indoor to outdoor flow—what’s the key to creating an outdoor setup equally as inviting as your interior?

Roti Brown: Using the outdoor surroundings as my inspiration made this part a little easier but, I was also careful to incorporate some of the same colors and materials that I have inside in my outdoor furniture.  

Rip & Tan: We’re obsessed with your kitchen’s floating shelves. Any tips for effortless shelf style?

Roti Brown: Honestly, I follow the same formula that I use for any space. There are some new items made by my favorite curators and some vintage pieces given to me by my mom and grandma. The combination of that and some of the smoked/amber glass makes for a nice mix.

Rip & Tan: Whether it’s displaying your skincare or having a candle at your bedside, what are some of the ways you create rituals for yourself in this space?

Roti Brown: Candles are a big one for me. I light a Topanga Candle every morning when I’m prepping for my day and again at night when I’m about to start my wind-down routine.

It’s become a ritualistic symbol for me. It helps me stay calm when planning a stressful day and come back to calm after one.

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

Roti Brown: It means everything. I spend a lot of time at home so it was important for me to curate a space that I loved being in.

To me, living well at home means comfort and ease. I believe that should ring true in the amount of time and intention we put into all of our spaces.