Photo: Trevor Tondro
Jonathan ScottandZooey Deschanel’s dream home renovations are complete!
The couple, who have beendating since August 2019after meeting on an episode of Carpool Karaoke, purchased their five-bedroom Los Angeles home in June 2020 andhave been giving the 1938 build a total makeover.
The Georgian property is “a beautiful home with a lot of history,” adds Jonathan.
A stand-out feature of the property is also the reason behind its name. The sprawling lawn is dotted with sycamore trees and features a 60-year-old rose garden, so Deschanel’s children — son Charlie Wolf and daughter Elsie Otter, whom she shares with her exJacob Pechenik— drew an apt comparison to one of their favorite places.
“When we brought the kids here, they asked, ‘Are we living in a park?'” Scott says, explaining that led to the blended family dubbing the home the Park House.
Trevor Tondro
It took two years of serious hard work to fully renovate and make it their own.
“It was really hands-on for both of us,” Deschanel says. “Many Saturdays, we sat searching for the right details to add to this home.”
While the actress focused on interior design and overall style, Scott zeroed in on what he knows best: the nitty gritty of construction. Like any massive renovation, the process came with plenty of bumps along the way.
While they had to upgrade to meet modern fire-safety codes and fix outdated structures, the couple made sure to preserve the original integrity of the home in clever ways. For example, they added custom touches like a vintage chandelier in the entryway to match the era of the original build.
“It still looks like it could be a 100-year-old home, but it’s now LEED-certified and will end up using less grid energy than a small apartment,” Scott says.
Along with maintaining a responsible carbon footprint, meticulous attention to detail was critical for the pair. From the cactus wallpaper in Deschanel’s colorful office to antique, reupholstered chairs in the kitchen area, every item was carefully selected.
“As the chef of the house, I love how much prep space there is,” Deschanel says of the kitchen, which features bold Kelly green cabinetry and brass light fixtures. Scott even installed what he dubs “the largest island ever built.”
Another feature that helps preserve the history of the home is a Gothic archway — which is a staple of Colcord’s work — that leads from the kitchen to a brightly decorated breakfast room.
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Now that the colossal design project is finished, the couple is relieved to finally settle into the massive labor of love.
“This is a house that suits our tastes and needs, aesthetically and functionally,” Deschanel says. “Jonathan is so amazing at figuring that out. He’s been doing it for his clients for so long, and now he’s done that for us and our family.”
source: people.com
