Layered with Love

Author:Lindsey Shook

Julie Rootes Interiors wraps this Menlo Park home in warmth and light

“At Julie Rootes Interiors, we begin by understanding how our clients live day-to-day, how they entertain and how they want to feel in their home. From there, we develop a clear design narrative that guides everything from architectural decisions to material selections and bespoke furnishings,” says designer Julie Roots about her firm’s approach to projects that stretch across Northern California. “My goal is always to create environments that feel deeply personal to each client while truly supporting how they live—layered, livable, cohesive and thoughtfully detailed rather than trend-driven. I want every home to feel unique to the client, not a replication of past projects.”

She and her team leaned into their philosophy when hired to design this 3,800-square-foot home in Menlo Park for clients who wanted to move out of the city. “The clients wanted a home that felt elevated yet comfortable and one that capitalized on the California indoor outdoor lifestyle,” she recalls. “They are from the East Coast and still wanted to incorporate that aesthetic with a California twist.” Together, they honed in on the main priorities of the redesign that included creating inviting gathering spaces, integrating high-quality materials and custom details and ensuring the home felt both timeless and uniquely theirs.

This entailed a gut remodel of the kitchen that included additions of a pantry, coffee station, larger island and new Nano-Doors that open to the landscape. “We introduced a dedicated coffee station with walnut interiors, which has become the first stop for the homeowners each morning—it’s thoughtfully positioned so that my client can grab a cup on the go while heading into a call—a small detail that makes a meaningful impact on daily life,” says Rootes. “To strengthen the home’s connection to the outdoors, we enlarged the existing openings and installed Nano-Door systems on both the living and family room sides of the kitchen. When fully open, the doors create a seamless indoor–outdoor experience and dramatically enhance natural light, airflow and entertaining flow to the backyard.”

Throughout the home, they infused the interiors with soft, warm hues that enhance the high ceilings, custom millwork and overall character of the home. Textured wallcoverings from Phillip Jeffries, natural stones found at DaVinci Marble and custom draperies allow the home to feel elevated while remaining durable. “We developed a strong aesthetic alignment early in the process, and it became instinctive to anticipate the pieces, materials, and details they would connect with most,” Rootes proclaims. “That shared vision allowed the project to unfold with a high level of trust, creativity and ease.”

When asked how the homeowners responded to their new home, she remarks, “It truly felt like a win on every level—design, furnishings and client experience alike. The collaboration was effortless and creatively fulfilling, making it a genuine dream-team project from start to finish!”