Inside Jake Arnold’s Effortless California Design Approach and More
Jake Arnold is the master of “lived-in luxury.” His style isn’t trendy; it’s about creating moody, comfortable spaces that feel like they’ve been there forever. He balances vintage natural woods, and organic shapes with clean, modern lines to keep things fresh. He has built a reputation and a seven-figure business by making luxury homes feel like places you actually want to live. By layering rich textures like plaster, wood, and linen, he creates soulful spaces that feel collected and personal which I love. His a-list clients include Rashida Jones, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen, and more. He has an incredible knack for making luxury look “down home”. Let’s take a peak inside Jake Arnold’s effortless California design approach and more. It’s Sunday so let’s join Annie and Mary Ann for some of Jake’s lovely designs, a “jake approved outfit” and much more!
Jake Arnold Design
Jake isn’t a big fan of too many prints, instead he relies on texture and moody hues.
I spot a pattern in this Brentwood project, but texture reigns supreme.
The designer’s own LA home. I love the mix of styles and eras. You can find Jake’s beautiful portfolio here. You can also follow Jake on Instagram here.
Jake Arnold’s Book
In Jakes book Redefining Comfort, he breaks down how to make a high-end home actually feel like a home. Instead of just showing off pretty pictures, he organizes the chapters by “moods” to show how a room should actually make you feel.
Jake Arnold for Crate and Barrel
I am crazy about Jake’s collab with Crate and Barrel. I think this chair is fabulous. I would put it in my own home if I needed one. This coffee table is similar to mine but better. This chest is wonderful, and I love his outdoor collection.
Jake Arnold for Lulu and Georgia
Jake also has a collection of wallpapers and rugs for Lulu and Georgia here.
Outfits of the Week
I have heard that Jake is a big fan of the “canadian tuxedo” as am I! You might enjoy this article in Esquire. Hopefully he would approve of these renditions even though they aren’t they aren’t denim on denim.
J Crew’s new Spring arrivals inspired my outfits of the week.
I ordered this green take on the jean shirt, (own these J Crew jeans) Kilim mules and bag are from one of my favorite Etsy sellers
Shop Outfit of the Week
I couldn’t resist ordering this bright red trucker jacket. I own the loafers and am coveting the bag and the chambray shirt.
Shop Outfit
I am not normally drawn to lady jackets but I love the texture and color of this one!
Shop Outfit
I own this fabulous denim shirt from Mango. It can be tied in front, on the side, or in back. I ordered a six and probably could have worn a four as well
Shop Outfits of the Week
Recipe of the Week
Steve smoked a brisket this week so we got creative with the leftovers. We made brisket sliders for our wine group with the coleslaw I shared last week, and this pasta which is similar to a beef ragu only with the smokiness from the brisket. It was delicious.
Brisket Ragu Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pasta I love rigatoni or reginetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 tablespoon + ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound mushrooms torn or cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups kale stems removed and cut into 1-inch strips
- 2 cups brisket torn into 1-inch pieces
- 1-2 cups or beef broth or bone broth
- 3 tablespoons reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2-4 tablespoons shaved parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Start by boiling water for your pasta. Grab a large stockpot, fill it halfway with water, and bring to a boil over a high heat
- Add the olive oil to a large pan, something big enough to hold your pasta once it’s cooked, and set over medium-low heat. When shimmering, add the onion and saute for 5 minutes
- Once the onions are translucent, add the mushrooms and ¼ teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium and stir occasionally until the mushrooms have reduced in size and all extra liquid is evaporated and absorbed, about 5-7 minutes
- Add the kale and cook until it’s wilted, which should take another 5 minutes
- Add the brisket and brisket and broth cook for 3 minutes. Stir well and turn the heat back to a medium-low
- Your pasta water should be rapidly boiling now. Add the remaining tablespoon of salt to the water and toss in the pasta. Stir well and cook al dente per the instructions on the packaging
- Once the pasta is al dente, reserve ½ cup of pasta water and put aside, then strain the pasta over the sink into a colander. No need to rinse off the pasta!
- Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to the sauté pan then add the pasta. Give it a really good stir to evenly distribute the sauce. Sample your sauce and if you’d like it to be saltier or saucier, add more pasta water to taste. Before serving the pasta add the lemon juice and give it another stir
- Ladle into four bowls, topping each bowl with a generous amount of parmesan and red pepper flakes, if desired!
I hope you enjoyed my peek inside Jake Arnold’s Effortless California Design Approach and More. Each week, I enjoy highlighting designers whose work inspires me. While I wouldn’t necessarily replicate every choice Jake Arnold or the other designers I feature make in my own home, there is so much value in studying their craft. For me, it’s all about the lessons learned and the small, thoughtful takeaways I can adapt to my own space.
Classic Casual Home
Most Lovely Things
If you missed any of my Sunday favorites you can catch up here.
Cindy, I love this guy and his collection at Crate & Barrel is so good.
I need to get that book.
Love these outfits. The denim shirt and jeans are in my cart now! x
Hi Kim
Jake Arnold is so talented. I have ordered his book! I am glad you like that denim shirt. I ordered it as well. I have become obsessed with denim shirts this year there are so many good ones!!
Hi Cindy! Great Sunday post. For some reason I can’t open “Shop Outfits of the Week”. Did I turn something off or is it on your end?
Thanks for any help you can give me!
Donna R
Hi Donna
It shows up on my end. All you have to do is click on the pictures. I would clear your cache. That sometimes can be the problem. Let me know if that doesn’t fix it.
Thanks for posting the fashion features with the white trousers. I bought some this season and your posts have opened some new ideas on how to style them. I tried to order the red shoes, but alas, they are long sold out in my size.
Hi my Australian fashion adviser ha ha
I have never been a huge white jean fan myself because I have chunky legs and I can look like a sausage! I have come around as well Susan!
Cindy, I love Jake’s style! It draws me in for the comfort and the textures along with the elegant drama in some places. My style, for sure. As always, I loved your Looks and bringing in the green blouse adds a nice touch with the denim. I love green and there are a few shades that I wear well. I learned my best colors from an expert, who happens to be a friend from England. I still have the color book and use it whenever I buy anything to wear…even though I pretty much know it by now. One other note, I wish that I could wear flats well. You always wear the cutest ones. They aren’t comfortable on my feet-possibly because of a higher arch. I’m always looking for alternatives to a flat, such as loafers, but it’s difficult to find one that is becoming with the rest of the wardrobe. All the dilemmas we go through…lol!
Hi Kelli
I used to have high arches as well! Alas no longer. I have a bunion on one foot so I always need a shoe with a wide toe box! As you pointed out the dilemmas we have to deal with!!
Lovely post thank you Cindy.I really like that chair but no space in the house! Beautiful recipe to try have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Francesca
I have the same problem with that chair love it but no place for it. I will just admire it from afar…
I agree with you, I take bits from what I see and learn from design ideas. I like the comfort of his ideas in furniture but the dark moody colors would be depressing for me. I love Greek Villa meets Scandinavian style with light colors in walls and furniture and floors. Sounds crazy but it is working here for me. My colors are more Mary Ann’s coastal colors. I love her colorful area rugs. My area rugs are my one print. Cindy you always dress so beautifully with so many colors I just can’t wear. My palette is cool colors or I look jaundiced. My white and silver hair and pale skin needs blues and greys. Fun conversations today ladies!
Hi Sydney
Mary Ann’s home is even prettier in person! I couldn’t do dark and moody either. I need light, but I sure admire his style. I find if I stick to solids in my main furniture pieces and change out my pillows I am happy. I love how Mary Ann incorporated that beautiful rug in her living room. That was a little outside of the box for her and it looks great!!
Love the outfits and pop of red! And the ragu is right up my alley, my husband is always smoking things on the grill.
Have a fabulous week Cindy!
Hi Eliz
Try the brisket ragu. I thin you will like it!
Cindy – that kitchen! A cafe curtain with wood cabinetry mixed with taupe glass front cabinets, and the subtle variations of the tiles above the range…divine!
Always love your creative outfits of the week!
xx
Hi Annie
I could never go as moody as Jake goes, but I love his style!
Your guest must have loved the dinner! I love that Jake Arnold uses texture and comfort in his designs.
Hi Mary Ann
That brisket pasta was delicious and so were the sliders!!