Take a Look Inside Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott’s Recently Renovated Los Angeles Home
When Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel first set eyes on their five-bedroom Georgian revival, they knew it was meant to be.
“As soon as we pulled into the driveway, we knew this house was special,” Deschanel says in the summer issue of Drew + Jonathan Reveal, in which the couple open up the doors to their newly-completed home.
Located in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, the house was built in 1938 by renowned American architect Gerard Colcord. Surrounded by a sprawling lawn with sycamore trees and a rose garden, the house was covered in white wood siding with dark shutters at the time. Since the kids felt it looked like visiting a park, the couple named it the Park House. But despite their instant love for the property, it needed a lot of work. Two years later, they’ve finally completed the project.
“It was really hands-on for both of us,” Deschanel says. “Many Saturdays, we sat searching for the right details to add to this home.”
Since Jonathan is the expert on construction and architecture, he focused on that aspect. There had been two “choppy” additions put on the house in recent decades, and the facade wasn’t up to modern fire-safety codes. The old siding was scrapped and replaced with brick, and the exterior was wrapped in Rockwool insulation, which also stabilizes the interior temperature. Now LEED-certified, the home will use less energy than a small apartment, said Jonathan. Tesla solar roof tiles, gray-water recycling from baths and sinks, and a Carrier all-electric VRF heat pump HVAC system contribute to the home’s minimal footprint.
Deschanel honed in on the interior finishes of the home, combining patterns of Portuguese tiles and Moroccan fabrics on pin boards. In the entryway, the single-height space with a curved staircase was turned into a double-height one with a traditional staircase. An iron handrail was added, as well as a custom millwork and a vintage chandelier. Her office, which she calls “feminine and unique,” features cactus wallpaper and a crafting corner, where Deschanel stashes her Cricut and sewing machines in a DreamBox cabinet. There’s also an upright piano, and a communal table surrounded by coral chairs.
To make the kitchen bigger, Jonathan demolished a storage room and bathroom. He installed what he calls “the largest island ever built,” which Deschanel adores, as the chef of the household. The green cabinetry, black-and-white backsplash, and bar seating help create a space that’s ideal for gathering.
The outdoor space received extensive consideration as well. Previously housing a “normal patio,” there’s now a solarium with a glass ceiling, fountain, olive trees, and a balcony that connects to each bedroom. An outdoor kitchen with a large grill, bar seating, and stunning blue, white and yellow Alesso Deco Marla Matte Porcelain Tile creates a joyful atmosphere for celebration. A long brick patio with several seating areas and a sparkling swimming pool capped off the space.
“This is a house that suits our tastes and needs, aesthetically and functionally,” says Deschanel. “Jonathan is so amazing at figuring that out. He’s been doing it for his clients for so long, and now he’s done that for us and our family.”
The new issue of Drew + Jonathan Reveal, available on newsstands, on Amazon, and online now.