Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel's
Park House Renovation
The happy couple turns this historical Georgian beauty into a home they can call their own.
Talk about a meet-cute: when Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel first visited their now-home in 2020, their kids asked if the yard (full of mature sycamore trees and rose bushes) was a park. Built by noted architect Gerard Colcord in 1938, the property came with quite a pedigree, and from that point forward, it had a new name: Park House. Keeping as many original details as possible and leaning into their shared love of traditional design with a twist, Jonathan and Zooey embarked upon a two-year journey to bring the house back to the fullest expression of itself. “Zooey and I aren’t really modern people—we prefer a more classic aesthetic. When we were renovating, we hunted for fixtures with a timeless wow factor, and Visual Comfort made the process easy and fun,” Jonathan says. “We were so inspired by the range of options, and we knew the quality would be best-of-the-best. Everything from the chandeliers to the sconces to the flush mounts exudes the charm and ambiance we were looking for.” In this renovation diary, the couple shares a behind-the-scenes look at the joy and learning experiences of making Park House a place to call home … and how the project influenced the Drew & Jonathan collection for Visual Comfort & Co.
Rivington Small Round Sconces light the way up the stairwell in this epic entry space.
Entry door reveals stunning Georgian revival details.
First impressions are everything – and the new double-height entry at Park House speaks volumes. While parquet floors, coffered walls, and a bold antique runner imbue the space with a sense of place and time, a wall of sage green millwork acts as a secret mudroom, perfect for tucking away all the necessities of modern family life. The couple made big changes with a subtle hand, choosing lived-in finishes and creating custom millwork that looks wiser than its years. “At first glance, you’d think this could all be original,” Zooey says. “That’s what we’re going for.”
A pair of Eugene Medium Pendants in hand-rubbed antique brass adorns a massive marble island in the color-drenched kitchen.
With brass accents and a graphic tile backsplash, the jewel-toned kitchen takes the house’s traditional bones for a spin. Nods to Old Hollywood (a custom range hood and a gothic arch detail in the custom cabinetry) are brought up to speed by high-performance materials and a thoughtful layout. Zooey, the cook of the family, loves the plethora of prep space – to wit, Jonathan calls the kitchen’s center stage “the largest island ever built.” Fun fact: when the couple couldn’t agree on a color for cabinets, they went for a best-of-both-worlds approach, choosing Jonathan’s preferred shade of green here and saving Zooey’s beloved blue for the guest-house kitchen (read on for photos!)
Covered ceiling to seat cushions in a cheery citrus pattern, the breakfast nook is the perfect place to start and end the day.
As soon as they laid eyes on the breakfast nook, Jonathan and Zooey knew it would be a hub of family life. This area gets a ton of foot traffic (everything from weeknight dinners and homework time to raucous game nights), which the couple took into account when selecting the easy profiles of the built-in banquette and oval table. The curved bank of windows may look original, but it’s not – Jonathan points out that the safety and durability of earthquake-proof, fireproof, eco-friendly materials won out here. Still, there’s always room for fun, as evidenced by the playful citrus grove print on the wallpaper and chair cushions tied together with the whimsy of a Cynara Small Chandelier in white and gild.
A pair of Dumaine Single Pierced Leaf Sconces and Dumaine Medium Pierced Leaf Chandelier link the vintage-inspired dining room to the lush landscape.
Throughout the 6,300 square-feet home, Jonathan and Zooey kept a few keywords top of mind -- history, authenticity, eclecticism – and their marvelous mix reaches a fever pitch in the cozy dining room. From a cozy wood ceiling to moody millwork and lush wallpaper, the space skews warm and intimate – all the better to host memorable meals with family and friends. The barley twist table and upholstered chairs ramp up the vintage charm, while a botanical brass chandelier and wall sconces nod to the verdant scene just beyond the windows.
The Barrett Mini Double Arm Bed Light casts a warm glow for bedside reading.
Vintage-inspired energy-efficient windows let the light in.
Owing to their love of color and pattern, Jonathan and Zooey ensured that their vintage home would never resemble a period piece … yet when it came to the primary suite, they stuck to the classics. Every detail feels true to the home’s late Art Deco, prewar era, from the color palette to furniture silhouettes to hardware. A bone-inlay bedside chest hints at a world of adventure just beyond the room’s vintage-inspired energy-efficient windows (new from Pella), but with a room this welcoming, who’d want to leave?
Nestled under the gorgeous glass roof of the solarium, a pair of aged-iron Allegra Medium Chandeliers strike a pitch-perfect note.
A solarium had always been at the top of Zooey’s dream house bucket list, and luckily, the Park House had the perfect spot: an awkward asymmetrical side patio. Jonathan created the ultimate flex space by extending and enclosing the patio with a soaring iron-framed glass roof, perfect for entertaining and relaxing as a family or group. The view from the ground isn’t the only one to be had – second-floor bedrooms open onto a catwalk looking out at the double-height space, making the solarium a connection point for the entire house. “Everybody who comes into the solarium does a double take because they’re not expecting it!” Jonathan says. “It’s such a great opportunity to enjoy outdoor living year-round.”
A pair of Hendricks Small Globe Pendants hold court in the happy guest house kitchen.
Zooey got her blue cabinetry, and to sweeten the deal, Jonathan had the vintage range from her childhood home restored (and made energy efficient!) to sit front and center in the guest house kitchen. “I love that we have this piece of Zooey’s history, but it’s functioning perfectly with the aesthetic in the space,” he says. What it lacks in footprint, the guest house kitchen makes up for in both form and function – the range hood’s motor is in the attic space above for whisper-quiet cooking, and small appliances are built in (think: microwave drawer) to keep countertops streamlined and clean.
Zooey and her craft cabinet with a Mandeville Linear Chandelier overhead.
A glimpse into Zooey's colorful dressing room that serves as a creative retreat.
Even at a glance, the Park House is striking – but take a deeper look, and you’ll see a rarer quality still – it’s special in the sense of historical significance and what it means to Jonathan and Zooey’s family circa now. Best of all, the home balances the rush of daily life with key moments built for creativity and rest. “We designed the Park House with lots of options: dinner parties, game nights, movie nights, you name it,” Jonathan says. “We wanted a home filled with natural light, which was part of the appeal of the Park House when we bought it. The challenge was how to marry the two.” Consider this a challenge accomplished.
Jonathan by the pool // Vintage Outdoor Lanterns by Niermann Weeks for Visual Comfort illuminate the perfect backyard oasis.
As Jonathan and Zooey reflect on their renovation journey at the Park House, they emphasize the importance of lighting in creating a happy, healthy home. While working on the lighting setup for the Park House, the Scott Brothers had a moment of inspiration - they decided to create a lighting collection. “Visual Comfort was the perfect brand to collaborate with on our line. We share the same outlook when it comes to quality, style, and value. It was a lightbulb moment, you could say!” The influence of this project comes through in the collection, too -- there’s a sense of that 1930s timeless glam that you see at the Park House, specifically in items like Egmont and Thurlo pieces. “That said, we designed our lighting collection to fit seamlessly with any decor style, whether you’re going for a similar vibe to Zooey and me or something else.”
What's on the horizon for Drew and Jonathan Scott? Here's a clue! The design duo is collaborating with Visual Comfort to create lighting pieces to enhance your outdoor areas. “Drew and I are big on outdoor living—we live in California, after all—and we love spending time in the backyard with our family, whether hosting parties or having a casual barbecue with the kids,” Jonathan says. “Our new Howell series will make every alfresco dinner or s’mores night even more memorable.” Discover the casual and refined styles of the Drew & Jonathan lighting collection designed for an effortless home so you can focus on what matters most: making memories of your own.
Photography by Trevor Tondro and Dennys Ilic | Prop styling by Leila Nichols at Aubri Balk Inc..
