Home tour: how feng shui and psychology created a serene Los Angeles, California home

To enter the Los Angeles home, one steps through a blackened wood gate that is designed to be a decompression zone. Working with landscape design firm Di Zock Designs, this outdoor room was conceived as the first opportunity for a nervous-system reset. Native plants and floating pavers abound, while sensory experiences like the gravel underfoot and a limestone fountain create opportunities for reflection by the firepit. “In Feng Shui terms, this slows energy before it enters the home; psychologically, it gives the body a moment to arrive,” Prince explained.

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After crossing the home’s threshold, the kitchen immediately announces itself as the gravitational centre. Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue cabinetry introduces an unexpected sophistication within the space, whilst leathered Taj Mahal quartzite from Waterworks and an extraordinary antique butcher block island from the 1800s create tactile richness. “Heavy, time-worn materials signal durability to the nervous system—people instinctively gather around surfaces that feel trustworthy,” shared the designer. The family has since gravitated to the kitchen island, its patinated surface becoming the base for many conversations and intimate gatherings after a long day. 

Another notable feature within the space is the vintage wall lamps flanking the stove hood, reminiscent of old library fixtures. Altogether, they infuse the stone backsplash with unexpected warmth and patina, a deliberate touch by Prince. “Introducing something unexpected—old against new, soft against hard—keeps the mind gently engaged,” he shared. “These moments of surprise prevent a space from feeling overly polished or static.” 

The dining and living spaces maintain a visual connection to one another whilst being softened through furniture selection and arrangement. Curved pieces from Baker Furniture, Modernica and Room & Board counter the Colonial geometry’s right angles, whilst a round dining table removes hierarchy entirely; with no head at the table, everyone can contribute equally to the conversation. “Both Psychology and Feng Shui show that circular forms encourage longer, more balanced conversation, which is exactly how this family uses the space,” Prince shared. Rugs from Woven Rugs, Armadillo and Atacama Home define zones without creating barriers, an easy way to delineate space and create layers of tactility throughout the home. 

After ascending the French oak stairs with blackened steel railings, the primary suite takes on an even more meditative approach. The ensuite bathroom exemplifies the project's methodology through every surface. Roman Clay walls with a textured finish reduce “visual vigilance by giving the eye fewer sharp edges to track,” creating a spa-like space to unwind in after a long day. Handmade Moroccan tile, an antiqued marble countertop from Waterworks, and unlacquered brass fixtures further contribute to the serene atmosphere.

Most ingeniously, the marble countertop extends through the glass shower enclosure, becoming built-in shelving and visual continuity. “Uninterrupted surfaces reduce visual stopping points, helping the room feel more expansive and intentional,” explained Prince. To further enhance the atmosphere, the bathroom features a solar-operated Velux skylight to incorporate natural light and ocean air into the homeowners’ daily routines. Meanwhile, the bedroom features bedding from Parachute Home that complements the muted material palette.

Stepping back outdoors, the rear garden completes the home’s therapeutic circuit. A barbecue area, dining space and sunken stainless steel jacuzzi by Gloster form what Prince describes as “the final landing place of the day—a designed exhale.” This outdoor room celebrates California’s warm climate: rather than fighting Venice’s particular combination of light, air, salt and moisture, materials were chosen to respond well to these conditions. One of the homeowners’ work in renewable energy informed this approach, with an intentional prioritisation of materials like plaster, stone, solid oak and unlacquered brass that grow richer with time. Similarly, the emphasis on energy-efficient systems, natural ventilation and solar-operated features reduces environmental impact whilst maintaining comfort over time.  

Altogether, the Los Angeles home maintains a neutral, tactile palette while allowing personal layers to accumulate over time. Under the watchful eye of Prince Design Studio, the home will continue to evolve alongside its inhabitants, honouring its Colonial Revival roots while adapting to the demands of 21st-century living. Embedded in every detail is an appreciation of architecture as a modulator for mood and memory, creating a space for its inhabitants to flourish over time. 

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