Architectural Digest Poland: May 2026
Written by Barbara Ruppel | Photography by John Merkl
A home designed for durability and everyday comfort
The interiors of the house, designed by Julie Rootes, combine Californian casualness with timeless elegance. The updated layout of the rooms, focused on the needs of the modern family, comfortable use and functionality of the solutions, is also conducive to spending time together and strengthening bonds.
The house is located on a large plot of land in Menlo Park, California. The area, famous for its greenery and classic architecture, combines sophistication with Californian laid-backness. This combination of elegance and freedom was one of Julie Rootes' main inspirations when designing interiors for a family of five. The owners' dream was a space that was comfortable in everyday use, timeless and one that could handle three energetic toddlers.
The functional layout of the house was outdated and did not fit into the needs of a modern family. The kitchen has undergone the biggest metamorphosis, which the designer combined with the living area, creating a new heart of the house. Classic, beige cabinets are emphasized with gold handles, and in the middle of the kitchen there is an island connecting the worktop with the table function.
All bathrooms have also undergone a thorough renovation. To make even better use of the space, the owners decided to replace the old furniture with custom-made built-in furniture. This has also allowed for more storage space. In different parts of the house, the designer exhibited the owners' collection of works of art and their favorite carpets.
And although the color palette used in the interiors is largely based on neutral tones of white and beige, the space is enlivened by blue of varying intensity, appearing in individual rooms. It is present, m.in, in the stove, the lamp above the island, the built-in bar, the wardrobe in the hall, the sofa in the main living room or the carpet in the children's room.
