Jennifer Aniston has said that if acting hadn’t worked out, she’d have wanted to be a designer in an interview, and one look at her Bel-Air home makes that easy to believe. Bought in 2011 for around $21 million, the property was originally built in 1965 by renowned modernist architect A. Quincy Jones.After acquiring it, rather than modernizing it beyond recognition, Aniston brought in interior decorator Stephen Shadley, who had worked with her on an earlier home, to gently restore the house to its mid-century roots while keeping it current.Her house is the space where the “Old World meets New World,” through a combination of iconic mid-century furniture, hand-painted wallpaper, Abstract Expressionist art, and natural materials like wood, stone, and bronze.Here are some decor inspirations to take away from Aniston’s home
Constellation-shaped brass wall sculpture
Her living room is built based around wood, stone, and warm metals, so this eccentric brass piece wall sculpture attracts all the attention and fits right into Aniston’s stated taste for materials with “real substance and depth.” Hung against a neutral wall, its scattered, star-like form adds movement and a bit of artistic personality without interfering with the calm, mid-century backdrop.
Alcove fireplace wood storage
The living room’s main character is a fireplace set into a charcoal-toned alcove, with logs stacked in order on either side ready for use. It captures exactly what makes the home feel warmer rather than deliberate. Built-in wood storage keeps the space functional and tidy and also rightly balances the room’s organic, textural nature.ID@undefined Caption not available.
Archaic modernism painting
Aniston’s home is mostly based on bold, abstract nature-based art rather than being literal and raw. This painting is more associated with an “archaic modernism” feel, like primal shapes, earthy tones, and expressive brushwork.It fits rightly among the Abstract Expressionist pieces already fitted throughout the space. Art here isn’t chosen to match the furniture; it’s chosen to add depth and a bit of a surprise element.ID@undefined Caption not available.
Low seating arrangement
More aligned with the mid-century design principles, the living room is designed with low-slung, grounded seating over tall, formal furniture that attracts the viewer’s attention to the sightlines open toward the home’s floor-to-ceiling windows and canyon views. The armchairs with studded detailing and sprawling rugs layered underfoot all add up to the details close to the ground. This kind of setup makes a room feel more relaxed and social.ID@undefined Caption not available.
Faux fur pillows
Against all that wood, leather, and stone, faux fur pillows bring in the one element every mid-century room needs to avoid feeling cold, something that also incorporates the touch element. Placed neatly across a sofa, they soften the room’s lines and dark tones, adding a cozy, warm layer that looks beautiful in natural light.