Tamara Honey Transforms Her California Home into an Ever-Evolving Haven Inspired by Nature and Collecting

Bold statements in the dining room include Maximilian Marchesani’s chandelier from Nilufar Gallery in Milan—which features real branches—and artwork by Michael Wayne Hall purchased at Wrong Marfa.

THE PROJECT

Nestled in the Glendale hills of California with sweeping views of the Verdugo Mountains, interior designer and House of Honey founder Tamara Honey’s own home is a modernist sanctuary infused with personality and play- fulness. “I started out with the intention of this being a decorate-only project,” she says. “But as I began planning out the space, I realized that doing a few things architecturally, like adding windows, would do wonders to create a more cohesive connection between the interior and exterior spaces.” For Honey—who launched the Soft Landing Project to assist those affected by the devastating L.A. fires and has studios in Pasadena and Montecito—the design brief was clear: to craft a family retreat that balanced sophistication with a sense of ease.

A checkered Moroccan rug by Salam Hello grounds the living room, which features a vintage art piece from Lucas Studio Inc. and Hans J. Wegner’s Flag Halyard chair customized by Jason Koharik Studio.

“I wanted every moment, every vignette to feel inviting, to leave an impression, a memory to revisit.” —TAMARA HONEY

THE INSPIRATION

“This place felt very magical—it was love at first sight,” Honey recalls of seeing the property for the first time. Having grown up in Nova Scotia, she was drawn to nature and wanted her home to capture that calming essence. She envisioned a space that would honor its surroundings while also reflecting the vibrant energy of her family and their beloved pets. “I chose pieces that reminded me of some of my most favorite vacation moments and wanted it to be a place that would serve as a fantastic staycation spot for friends and family,” she shares. Her extensive experience as a collector played a significant role in shaping the aesthetic. “I was a dealer on 1stDibs for many years so I have been collecting,” she adds. “I intentionally and thoughtfully wanted it to feel lived in and not too precious, inviting and playful.” The open floor plan encouraged her to create different zones, making each space distinct while maintaining a cohesive flow.

The home’s indoor-outdoor connections shine in the sunroom, where finds from 1stDibs, including a vintage plaster table in the style of John Dickinson, vintage Brazilian sheepskin chairs and a vintage camel footstool, reside

Art by Bradley Harms backs the DWR bed in the guest suite.

THE PLAN

Honey describes her home’s aesthetic as “California modernism,” but with a twist—what she calls “perfectly imperfect.” When creating a design plan, she embraced the home’s existing architecture and focused on enhanc- ing its relationship with the outdoors. “The retractable doors minimize the space between us and the landscape, and we are enveloped in a massive expanse of sky and mountain,” she says. “To say it is beautiful is a terrible understatement.” In furnishing the home, she gravitated toward earthy tones—deep forest green, mocha, ocher, honey and charcoal—layered with rich textures like mohair, leather and Italian boucle. Whimsical artwork, vintage finds and carefully curated books add warmth and character. “I wanted every moment, every vignette to feel inviting, to leave an impression, a memory to revisit,” says Honey.

With custom walnut cabinetry, custom leather cabinet tiles by AVO and Jason Koharik Studio’s Geo glass cubic sconces, the kitchen is far from ordinary.

THE DETAILS

The home’s entry sets the tone for what’s to come, offering a playful and cheeky introduction to Honey’s design philosophy. The living room is an ever-evolving space where the old meets the new. “I’m definitely a maximalist, so the bookshelves are filled with treasures we have collected over the years and keep adding,” says Honey, who integrated a grass cloth wallcovering from Thomas Lavin, a checkered Moroccan rug by Salam Hello and vintage abstract artwork from Lucas Studio into the design.

“THIS PLACE FELT VERY MAGICAL—IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.”

The kitchen—which features custom walnut cabinetry, custom leather cabinet tiles by AVO and Jason Koharik Studio’s Geo glass cubic sconces—is the heart of the home, not just for cooking but for connection. “I’m not the best cook, but I love to organize the menu, dinner parties and sous-chef,” she shares. “Quite interestingly, this has naturally become the place for the heart-to-heart, the deep realization, the happy resolution. I love my kitchen!”

The dining room is anchored by a striking Nilufar chandelier that Honey discovered in Milan. Made of real branches, it brings an organic element indoors. With its cozy fireplace, the family room is a hub for laughter, games and intimate gatherings, while in the home office, sunlight filters through the windows, creating the perfect setting for client meetings and design reviews.

Wrapped in warm grass cloth and plush carpeting, the primary bedroom serves as Honey’s cocoon. Elsewhere in the house, she recently refreshed one of the additional bedrooms, making it colorful and personal while showcasing artwork by a close Canadian friend, Brad Harms. The powder room is a personal favorite. “The ‘Green Wall’ wallpaper instantly transports you to some magic, faraway place,” says Honey, “[and] gives lipstick a superpower.”

“The existing design didn’t require an overhaul, which was a delight,” Honey shares. “I got to use my eye and light hand to highlight the serene and majestic ambiance of the cityscape set across the mountain views.”

The outdoor spaces are equally enchanting. Embracing the wildness of the landscape, the family coexists with the native wildlife—deer, rabbits, birds and even the occasional scorpion. “We are one with nature and have to embrace the excitement of it,” Honey shares. “I even survived being stung by a scorpion in the house.”

THE CHALLENGES

For Honey, the biggest challenge wasn’t the design itself but finding the time to execute her ever-evolving vision. “The challenge is always time,” she says. “I am constantly getting new ideas and just need time to execute! I am ever mindful to maintain the balance between what naturally exists and what I add.”

In the dressing room, House of Hackney’s Zeus Wallpaper in Eau De Nil mingles with vintage art and jewelry boxes from 1stDibs

THE HIGHLIGHTS

“The aspect of design that I love the most in this house is the overall welcoming vibe it emits,” Honey shares. “My happy place is when I can take care of my family and friends, and it brings me great joy to do that in my home.” Perhaps the ultimate testament to its warmth is its power to draw her kids in. “I know our home design is a success because my children—now away on the East Coast for college, deeply ensconced in the process of forging lives independent of my husband and me— choose every summer to come home to stay with their friends,” she says.

Osborne & Little’s Green Wall wallpaper lines the powder room, which features a vintage Murano glass chandelier from Sacramento Anticuaria, RBW’s Crisp wall sconces and a Dornbracht faucet finished in 24K gold.

THE OUTCOME

While the home is ever-evolving, its core remains constant: an intentional, thoughtful space where every detail tells a story. “The home is inspired by its grown-up structure and infused with play at every turn,” Honey shares. And, as she hints, there’s always room for a new chapter. “Well, since you asked...”