Jennifer Garner's House: Step inside the actress' cozy California home

The interior design focused on creating a calm, neutral color palette with an emphasis on natural textures. “Jen loves vintage pieces,” says Brooke, who purchased an 1850s French farmhouse table for the dining room, as well as mid-century decorative pieces from Swedish and Danish designers. “There's also something playful about her. And she likes soft shapes and curves. This place is kind of like the home version of Jen's personality.”

One of the most inviting rooms is the kitchen, with its marble and soapstone countertops, round mohair-covered chairs at the breakfast table, and fireplace. (It also leads directly to the pool.) “She responds to softness and comfort,” Steve says of his client. “She's not trying to be flashy or use huge pops of color or anything like that. The things she likes have a kind of natural calm.”

Garner also wanted to create spaces that would foster memories. “She had different ideas about what was important to her family and how she envisioned these different spaces being used,” Brooke explains. This led to unique features like a cozy blue study and reading nook upstairs, complete with two stained glass windows. The windows are the work of artist Reed Bradley and are inspired by his mother Marla Frazee's illustrations in the children's book The whole world, a family favorite. The work features owls representing Garner's children and their dog, Birdie.

The children's study features stained glass windows inspired by illustrations from one of the family's favorite books.

Art: Judson Studios

The outdoor spaces, designed in collaboration with landscape architect Christine London, are built for heavy use. A vegetable garden provides fresh fruits and vegetables, while a pool and fire pit area are perfect for relaxing and casual entertaining. Having produce right outside the door is reminiscent of Garner's childhood home. Of her childhood in West Virginia, she says, “I remember my mother saying very early on: If you pick something right off a vine, you're much more likely to enjoy it. It's like you can taste the sunshine.”

Since Garner actually lives in their home, Steve and Brooke knew the place would evolve. “I don't think houses are ever finished,” Brooke says. “This is a moment in their lives. As the family grows and their kids get older, they'll add a layer and change things up.” Still, Garner says today with satisfaction, “I'm happy that I feel like we're using the space really well and that the kids are everywhere in the house. They're just as comfortable in the living room as they are in the dining room doing homework. And that's the dream, right?”

Wearing a Lafayette 148 sweater over a CO dress, Tiffany & Co. earrings, and a Cartier watch, Jennifer Garner plays ball with Bugsy, a yellow Labrador, and Birdie, a golden retriever.

Fashion styling by Jordan Johnson Chung. Hair: Adir Abergel with Virtue Labs for A-Frame Agency; Makeup: Kara Yoshimoto Bua for A-Frame Agency; Manicure: Thuy Nguyen for A-Frame Agency.

Jennifer Garner's house appears in ADVERTISEMENT's October issue. Don’t miss a story if you subscribe ADVERTISEMENT. Read more about the designers' approach to the project on AD PRO.