Earlier this month, I spoke with Jennaea Denhardt, lead designer of her eponymous interior design firm about her home. Jennaea grew up frequently moving homes with her family, an experience that fostered her obsessions with the way light from a window changes the mood of a room, the delicious smell of fresh-cut lumber, and the rhythmic sound of a moving paint roller. She studied economics before working in retail merchandising, product development, product sales, and wedding planning. But the love for interiors that began in her childhood bedrooms never left her and fueled her independent design career and the unique design philosophies, processes, and perspectives in her work.
Based in Minneapolis and Baja, Mexico, but often traveling, you can usually find Jennaea at a desk with a candle burning nearby, out somewhere on a horse, or at the beach trying to learn to surf. In any case, her music will be turned up ridiculously loud and her family and friends will be laughing loudly with (at) her!
Where is it / size / what style of house?
I bought our 3 bedroom condo in a Minneapolis neighborhood in 2018 (on my birthday!) with a great view of downtown. The building doesn’t really fit in with the neighborhood which is filled with grand houses so our brick 1967-built building sort of sticks out. This 2200 square foot unit was 2 two-bedroom units combined into one with a ranch house feeling and low ceilings.
How do you approach designing/furnishing your space?
I start every project with a playlist. I ask my clients for music that tells the story of how they want to feel in their space- and collect songs from every person that will live in the house. Once I have their choices, including current and past favorites, I make a playlist, hit shuffle, and then listen to it. This allows me to feel out the different personalities and the visuals start coming into place. I can picture the environment that the song can be a background for and see what the space should look like for them.
For our family’s space these three are the soundtrack:
Would you say you have a home style? If so, what is it?
Is all white / obsessed with light a style? Then that’s it. Seriously, though, I’ve expanded a little from my all-white phase and added mixed wood tones, MCM antiques, and special art pieces to give texture to the white and have leaned into color when suitable for the client and project. The white denim slipcovered sofa that’s been with me for many moves is still one of my favorite pieces with its flexibility and understated elegance.
What is one piece you would grab if the house was on fire?
I’m attached to everything passionately and equally, but I would let it all burn. I won’t let anything come into my house that I won’t be sad without. Sure I have pieces I’ve had for 30 years, but everything is replaceable.
What is one thing you splurged on for your home?
This glass ribcage sculpture. Just had to have it.
A surprising save?
The coolest find - a little side table for $40 that looks like four drawers but they are actually pop up trays. Surprising and functional for such a small piece.
What has your home (or the process of owning/designing etc) taught you?
Designing this space reinforced the process I take with my clients; that homes need to be able to change. I became my client. Understanding where we came from, planning and creating for existing life. I ask myself, what do we need at the moment? I want to create a space that fits my current everyday life, not a future. It may never be finished and it’s not going to be done in a day. We’re leaving space for it to change and evolve. That’s something I tell my clients, that your home will never be “done”, and it’s important to acknowledge this and swap out pieces to suit your needs as they change.
Was there a project or process that was surprising or emotional to you?
As my three children leave for college, they come back and forth and we play musical bedrooms a bit and they feel like guests. It’s funny how the space feels small to me now, but was perfect when all four of us were here before.
Please explain your favorite ritual, time of day, or room in your home.
My favorite time of day is right before the sun rises. I make a coffee, bring it back to bed and watch the sun rise in the mirror from my childhood.
What challenges do you face in your home?
The previous owners custom built the kitchen for their entertaining style and food storage was completely minimized. They removed the cabinets, replacing with narrow display shelves for their platters and stemware. Since they mostly catered, the square footage given to the fridge, oven, and dishwasher was minimal. I brought in a huge buffet for food storage, but I have to be careful as it’s over the heating and make sure I’m not putting anything in there that could spoil.
What feeling does your home bring you?
My home feels like the exact expression of where I am today. Everywhere I look I feel happy, because it feels like me and is the perfect expression of self.
Want to work with Jennaea? She offers her unique perspective on a range of small to large projects and is launching an online course soon!
Thanks for reading! Next month we’re heading to a writer’s home outside of Vancouver. If you want to be included in the At Home With series, feel free to submit here!