James Van Der Beek’s Beverly Hills Home Includes a Daybed He Built Himself

If you’re used to spending time gazing at James Van Der Beek’s freakishly attractive family on Instagram, then you’re in luck. Architectural Digest got a look inside his family’s classic 1930s Spanish Colonial–style home in Beverly Hills, and it’s exactly the spa-like oasis you’d expect from the actor, who has catapulted from teen dream on “Dawson’s Creek” to low-key comedy hero on “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23” to samba-ing into our hearts on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Along with his wife and darling brood of five(!) children, Van Der Beek just had the home redone by designer Tammy Price of Fragments Identity just weeks before the lockdown hit as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. But it’s no wonder the family doesn’t mind holing up in this peaceful temple of tranquility.

Using a monochromatic palette of whites and other neutrals (quite bold for a family with five young children, if you ask us!) the home embodies a bright, peaceful getaway. Under a dark wooden beamed ceiling, the living room is filled with a soothing palate of white and other neutrals, while an oversized fireplaces anchors the space. In one corner, a sunlit spot is the perfect nook for a table and chairs looking outside.

“When you’ve got five kids, and usually a houseful of friends hanging out, flexibility is imperative,” Kimberly told AD. “The first thing we told her was that we needed furniture that could move from room to room, indoors to out.” 

With minimal color, Price added in plenty of textures, like kilim-covered pillows, sheepskin upholstery, and flokati rugs. She also used a lot of outdoor fabrics to ensure durability. “You can clean most of it with soap and water, which is a big plus for a family with little kids,” said Price.

One of the family’s favorite pieces is a poolside daybed that James designed himself. 

“It was my own personal triumph over dyslexia. When I was drawing up the plans, I kept worrying that I would transpose numbers and screw it all up, but it came out great,” Van Der Beek told AD. “Thankfully, Tammy wanted to feature it. She loved the daybed, so I loved her.” Price added rattan chairs from her own line to surround the daybed, which sits amidst a tropical environmental of leafy trees and natural beauty.

While the family is stuck inside like everyone else during quarantine, they’ve got an inventive way of dealing with it. 

“We took one room and covered the floor in mattresses and pillows. It’s the ideal place to read books and watch movies,” Kimberly said, adding that the tepees in the children’s playroom are another favorite. “That’s where the kids have pillow fights and set up their doll stations. When they have homework, we just say, ‘Go to the tepee!’ It’s perfect,” James notes.

But that doesn’t mean they’re not itching for a return to normalcy. According to AD, the Van Der Beek clan is used to having guests over for everything from impromptu musical performances to New Moon ceremonies.

“The overall impression is tranquil and welcoming, but there’s still plenty of great energy here,” said James.

See more of the Van Der Beek home over on Architectural Digest.