Jennifer Miller Studio transformed this classic Montecito home, stripping it to the studs and bringing it back to life with architectural precision and coastal charm. Photographed by Michael Clifford, the project highlights thoughtful design choices, from custom furnishings to a curated mix of textures and patterns, including a wallpaper design created from one of Jenny’s original artworks, which later became the prototype for their Miller House wallpaper line. Continue reading to explore Hill House, where tranquility, sophistication, and playful details come together seamlessly.
From Jennifer Miller Studio… Hill House is a stunning oceanfront property in Montecito, California. Located in the Butterfly Beach area, the home was purchased as a vacation retreat for a busy Los Angeles family. Despite its incredible location, the house was in need of extensive repair, redesign, and renewal. Jenny Miller and her team at Jennifer Miller Studio were brought on to fully renovate the property and create a serene oceanside retreat.
JMS worked alongside Danny Longwill of Two Trees Architecture and Unander Construction to breathe new life into the home, both inside and out. The house was stripped to the studs due to previous leaks, wood rot, and lack of insulation. With a fresh canvas, the team began by updating the architecture, centering doorways and window openings to bring discipline and cohesion to the space. Drawing inspiration from the ocean views and the native landscape, the team focused on a clean, modern design that honors the spirit of a Montecito beach house.
In the kitchen, the upper cabinets feature soft, textured glass with white interiors to add depth and layering in the smaller space. Dark blue marble countertops have a leather finish that enhances the veining, and a vintage Murano pendant with updated bronze hardware completes the look.
Inside, the living room ceiling with its exposed boards in varied widths, remains one of the few original elements preserved, a detail that brings a sense of history to the renewed space. The design team echoed this feature in the dining room, creating a gentle visual rhythm between the two areas. A new bluish-gray soapstone fireplace surround adds a calm, contemporary focal point, its softly raised edge tying back to the thoughtful detailing found throughout the home.
The furniture is a curated mix of existing pieces from the client’s previous homes and new custom creations. To soften the straight lines and angles of the house, the team introduced curves through lighting fixtures. A custom oversized pendant in the dining room was crafted from plaster and high-polished brass, while other lighting pieces blend vintage and modern styles for a unique effect.
Wood paneling, painted a soft white, wraps the common rooms in a light, coastal warmth. Door and window trim stays clean and understated, defined by a subtle quarter-inch raised edge reminiscent of a modern picture frame, while flush baseboards offer a quiet, streamlined finish. Deepened thresholds give each transition a sense of intention and flow.
The JMS team brought the garden indoors for a first-floor powder room, designing the wallpaper from one of Jenny Miller’s hand-painted artworks. This concept became the prototype for their Miller House wallpaper line.
Each bedroom and bathroom tells a unique story. Patterns are used to add interest and texture while remaining restrained and refined. In the primary bedroom, a sloped ceiling replaced an awkward step from the original design, and a new bathroom, walk-in closet, and fireplace were added. In the primary bathroom, bold patterned wallpaper is complemented by a marble vanity, window trim, textured tile, and high-end fixtures and lighting. The wallpaper adds a playful, beachy accent to the sophisticated design.
Outside, a mixed-material retaining wall, combined with small pathways, large boulders, and treads, transformed an awkward hillside and created balance and visual interest. All new windows and doors were installed, intentionally mixing steel and wood. The steel windows highlight the ocean views and lend a modern edge to the home.
Discover the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Jennifer Miller Studio · Photography: Michael Clifford · Builder: Unander Construction · Architect: Two Trees
