This architecturally significant Ray Kappe residence in Rustic Canyon has been reimagined by Kate Driver of West Haddon Hall for filmmaker Alexandra Kerry and Julien Dobbs-Higginson and their two daughters.

Driver offered a more layered and livable interpretation of California modernism, blending inherited European antiques with vintage Scandinavian furniture, contemporary art, and collectible 20th-century pieces within Kappe’s original 1966 architecture. Approaching the home with deep respect for Kappe’s vision, she intentionally resisted over-designing or over-restoring the interiors, instead relying on subtle layering and thoughtful restraint to preserve the calm, emotional quality that defines the house.

Some standout details include an antique trumeau mirror paired with vintage Nordic seating beneath an Isamu Noguchi Akari lantern, a custom Charlotte Perriand-inspired credenza mixed with inherited Sheraton-style armchairs, and sculptural lighting and objects woven throughout the home to soften the structure’s strong modernist lines. Driver also introduced rich color moments and tactile materials that bring warmth to the home without competing with Kappe’s architecture or natural light.

Rather than leaning into the polished “midcentury museum” aesthetic, the home embraces a more lived-in, personal, and collected sensibility shaped by family life. The homeowners are also founders of Madeworks, a wellness-focused company centered on healthier, environmentally conscious materials, a perspective that informed many of the furnishing and sourcing decisions throughout the house.

Team:

Architects: West Haddon Hall
Photographer: Chris Mottalini