Inside Aurora James’ Stunning Laurel Canyon Home: A Story of Transformation and Inspiration

• Fashion designer Aurora James transformed a fixer-upper in Laurel Canyon into a serene retreat, seeing potential where others saw a “tragic disaster.”
• Her home reflects her creativity and commitment to social justice, featuring art by Black contemporary artists and sustainable design elements.
• James’ approach to home design emphasizes personal comfort and evolving spaces, mirroring her dedication to balance and well-being in her busy life.

The fashion designer Aurora James first toured her futuristic home in Laurel Canyon, it was quite a mess. One of her friends even described it as a “tragic disaster.” But, James, the visionary behind the accessories and shoes collection Brother Vellies, saw something that was different. Incredulous at the critique, her decision was to buy the cottage-style, woodsy home situated in the arid LA neighborhood.

“I think I always see potential in things,” she said to Architectural Digest. “I just saw that there were some easy tweaks that could make it better, and I felt at home.”

For the last 3 years James is devoted to making the old house the perfect retreat. The home is painted in earthy shades that include moss green along with off-white and blush, by Farrow & Ball, the residence offers a tranquil getaway from the bustling daily life living in Brooklyn. Despite the hectic pace of life, James, a prominent model in the world of fashion is able to relax within his Laurel Canyon sanctuary.

James’s work goes beyond fashion. She is also the co-founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, a charity that was founded in 2020. It calls for retailers to dedicate 15 percent of their shelf space to black-owned brands. Large companies such as Nordstrom, Sephora, and Rent the Runway have committed to this endeavor, demonstrating James’s influence and influence towards social justice.

The home she lives in reflects her unique personality and individual taste. The outdoor kitchen, finished with recycled terracotta tiles represents her love of unique and environmentally sustainable products. Inside, she’s designed an area that is full of character and charm, from hanging lanterns created by the sculptor Isamu Noguchi to the float couch designed by Sarah Ellison.

James’s dedication to balance can be seen by her choice to turn her home fitness space into a retreat to unwind. This area, with lighting and a comfortable floating couch, provides an ideal space to relax following her exhausting 60-80-hour work days.

Her bathroom’s primary attraction is sporting the blue-colored conservatory style shower, which adds a bit of elegance and fun. The procedure of incorporating an enormous stone sink to her kitchen in the indoor space might be a bit tense however it definitely contributed to the house’s distinctive beauty.

In her residence, James’ art collection includes works from prominent contemporary Black artists like Tyler Mitchell, Mickalene Thomas along with Tschabalala Self. The aesthetic appeal is added by striking details including the wooden and chartreuse staircase leading to the second level.

“I don’t think that houses are ever done,” she added. “That’s part of the reason why it took me four years to do this, because I kept waiting for it to be ‘done.'”

James believes that her home is an image of her daily living situation, recognizing that it will change over the course of life. Her method of creating an environment that is conducive to her mental, emotional as well as physical health is an increasing trend of home designs, in which your comfort and sustainability have the lead.

In a time when there is a lot of speed, James’ Laurel Canyon retreat is a timely example of creating environments that support and encourage stability & fluidity at the same time . James’ journey from discovering the potential of the aftermath of a “tragic disaster” to building the sanctuary of her dreams is testament to her determination, vision as well as her unwavering dedication to make a difference within her field and beyond.