Silver Lake Sanctuary

Multi-hyphenate creative reimagines California modernism in an LA hilltop retreat.

Written by:Gwen Donovan
Cambria Hawksmoore quartz kitchen island countertop

Cambria design shown: Hawksmoore™ Photo by Natalia Knezevic.

“California Modern meets Boho” is the way Jaclyn Johnson describes the redesign of a Silver Lake residence she shares with her artist husband and their two dogs. Johnson is an entrepreneur, investor, best-selling author, and CEO living in Los Angeles, California. “We bought the home March 2020. Such an odd time to buy a house, but also perfect because we spent the next eight months renovating, decorating, and spending a ton of time there,” Johnson explained. Her favorite room? “Definitely the kitchen. I love the open concept and spaces to gather; it’s perfect for entertaining,” she said. Johnson’s new Cambria countertops added a welcome dose of modernism, she noted. “The combination of its bright white base and espresso-colored veining is classic yet unfussy, with a modern twist that really speaks to me.”

The newly unveiled Hawksmoore design from Cambria resembles marble, yet is incredibly durable and food safe, something Johnson requires as an avid baker. “We really did our research and discovered that there is no safer countertop for food prep than Cambria. It’s nonporous and doesn’t absorb food and liquids like our marble counters did. I am all about how things look and feel, so it’s obviously a clear winner. Another bonus is that Cambria is virtually maintenance free, a huge plus in our busy lives.” Whether she’s hosting a dinner party for a crowd or grabbing a quick bite at the immense center island, Cambria countertops are quite literally a strong foundation for every meal, she explained. “Cambria has all the elegance we loved about our marble counters but it is super stain-resistant. That means a spilled cup of coffee or glass of red wine is never cause for alarm.”

A desk inside of a Spanish-style home with an abundance of natural sunlight and an abstract painting on the wall.

Original windows throughout the Spanish-style home fill every space with an abundance of sunlight while retaining the authentic feel of the architecture. Photo by Sara Tramp.

Located a quick walk from Create & Cultivate’s headquarters, the home includes a serene office space when Zoom calls pop up on Johnson’s calendar. “I love my built-in desk in my office,” she revealed, “It’s super functional and sleek, and really adds a new dimension to the room.” One of Johnson’s design go-tos is cane furniture, as seen in the office desk and king-sized bed in the primary bedroom. She felt it was important to infuse the layout with shapes, textures, and colors that sparked her witty, whimsical personality. “The home itself was well done but a white box; we added a ton of cosmetic upgrades including a new roof, tile, lighting fixtures, and more. We also added a pool, which was a big project, and an outdoor fireplace/sitting area in the back.”

A brown deck with white patio chairs and pink umbrellas.

Photo by Jessica Bordner.

The home’s fun, laid-back, beachy vibe is clearly displayed outside. “We have a ton of outdoor space which was a big selling point of the house,” Johnson noted. “In the front we have our dog park, which is a garden and grass area for the pups, and our firepit, which channels Napa Valley with olive trees, black outdoor furniture, and a gorgeous modern stucco firepit. The view is super serene because we are up on the hill. We have nothing blocking us, and on a clear day you can see the ocean.”

A white pop of Cambria COLTON™ quartz behind a Japanese soaking tub.
Cambria Colton quartz bathroom vanity countertop

A white pop of Cambria Colton™ makes a clever shelf behind the Japanese soaking tub. The ocean-blue tiles and creamy white tones of Colton on the vanity recall breaking waves. Photos by Sara Tramp.

In the primary bath enveloped by deep green tones, the lavish use of Cambria products was a design decision based on Johnson’s affinity for the product line’s enduring style. “We used Cambria in our first home for our shower, and it looks super elegant but also has great durability. We knew we wanted to replace the tile with a more elevated look, especially including the backsplash behind the Japanese soaking tub. We also covered the tub’s step shelf in Cambria, which looks stunning and it’s a great place to add fun accessories.” For Johnson, that’s just one of many small ways to create and cultivate her home.

[Updated on 12/05/2023]

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