This Cozy, California-Cool Living Room Was Designed 100% Virtually — Step Inside

Time Several Hours

Budget $ $$$

Skill Level

WORDS BY Morgan Goldberg

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Published on September 19, 2024

Though Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy have been married since 2019, the Dancing with the Stars couple didn’t purchase their first house together until the middle of the pandemic. So when it came to decorating the 2,977-square-foot Tarzana, California home, which was recently featured in People, the duo had to get creative.

Lockdowns and quarantines meant virtual consultations were the only option, so Jenna and Val connected with Havenly designer Heather Goerzen to fully furnish their living room. While the trio may have been miles apart, it was easy to agree on a West Coast cozy chic aesthetic to warm up the blank canvas space.

Jenna and Val living room

Dreaming in Earth tones

Goerzen achieved a balance of comfort and elegance with a tranquil palette of trending earth tones. This calming color scheme was informed by original elements like rustic, honey-hued hardwood floors and a blue, Moroccan-style tile fireplace. “The fireplace was a must-spotlight feature for Jenna and Val,” she explains. “The tile adds a sense of history and charm, as well as a stunning pop of pattern and color.”

Jenna and Val cozy chair

Dusty blues, along with shades of beige, rust, and cream, are repeated throughout the decor with stylish furniture like a pair of structured Anthropologie Graham Armchairs, a plush Maiden Home sofa, and two rounded bouclé swivel chairs from CB2 that Johnson loves. “This chair is amazing,” she tells People in a video tour. “It looks like a little igloo — super cute and cozy.”

jenna and val cali cool home
traditional rug

Layering in artisan elements

For a lived-in, layered vibe, Goerzen incorporated vintage-inspired textiles and organic textures like small jute poufs, a rattan side table, and a dramatic live edge teak coffee table. “It’s absolutely show-stopping,” she gushes. “Richly-grained wood, with its natural holes and carvings, makes for a statement piece to anchor the seating area.”

jenna and val live edge coffee table

Telling a personal story

The couple’s personality is expressed in details like a ballerina sketch that nods to their dance connection and an arched McGee & Co. curio cabinet where they can display beloved artwork, pottery and books. “This was one of those have-to-have-it pieces that really enhances the design,” Goerzen shares. “The cathedral window shape and traditional paned glass make it a timeless treasure. It was backordered for quite a bit, but certainly worth the wait.”

jenna and val bookcase
jenna and val decor

The combination of relaxing neutrals, contrasting materials, and inviting seats provides the effortless-yet-curated look Jenna and Val were seeking. “We are so grateful that Havenly completely made our vision come to life,” Johnson effuses to People. It’s all in a day’s work.

jenna johnson home tour

Whether you’re working with a blank canvas, or are simply looking to spruce up your existing decor, our designers are here to transform your Pinterest dreams into reality. Discover your perfect match with our style quiz.

Words by Morgan Goldberg