Jenni Kayne’s Hygge Heaven
Jenni Kayne is calling from a Palm Springs horse show, where her daughter has been riding all morning. She’s wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and sunglasses at the moment, but the designer’s thoughts are on upcoming ski weekends at the South Lake Tahoe home where she’s been vacationing since childhood. “Right now the leaves are changing and there’s snow on the ground, but it’s a pretty magical place to be any time of year,” she says.
While best known for a line of laid-back California-style wardrobe staples (you’ve probably tapped “Shop Now” on a post featuring one of her breezy slip dresses, cashmere cardigans, or shearling slippers), Kayne’s namesake brand has recently expanded into apothecary and home goods—the latter segment is on track to reach $100 million in sales by 2024, according to CEO Julia Hunter. Here, Kayne shares tips for tapping your senses to make your own home feel like a serene winter hideaway.
Sight
One of the most recognizable aspects of the Jenni Kayne aesthetic is its neutral palette. “Our visuals are very consistent,” Hunter says. “You see a beautiful, warm room, and you know what sweater you might be wearing in it, or which slippers. Our imagery makes people feel at peace in a world that’s going too fast—and there’s something about Jenni that innately understands the beauty in slowing down.” In the winter, Kayne likes to add a pop of color with new sheets, artwork on the wall, or a colorful piece of pottery on a bedside table. In the living room, she’ll change out the throw blankets and pillows. “I’ll bring in accent pillows with a little bit of color,” she says.
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The Jenni Kayne Home Pacific Bed, seen here at the brand’s show house in Santa Ynez, California, comes wrapped in linen or wool boucle.
Sound
Few things conjure cozy conviviality like the sound of loved ones gathering around a crackling fire after a brisk winter walk. Kayne’s family has a tradition of foraging for items to include in fire-starter bundles. “The bundles help light a fire, but they also smell really good,” she says. “And it’s a fun way to get the whole family involved.” It’s also an activity that can happen all season long, starting with fallen leaves and twigs, then branches from a Christmas tree on its way out, she adds.
A peaceful room designed by the Jenni Kayne Home team for a private client in Lake Tahoe.
Touch
“Once it starts getting cold, I’ll swap the linen pillows for alpaca or cashmere, and I always drape sheepskins atop benches and chairs to create a luxe and cozy feeling,” Kayne says. She compares seasonal home décor to how someone might rearrange their closet or beauty routine for the winter. “I’m equally as inspired by what I’m wearing as by what I’m putting on my skin or how I’m decorating my home,” says the designer. “When it cools down, I want to wear my slippers around the house and knitwear or a sweatsuit, and I want my room to feel the same way. There’s something to be said for leaning into cozy textiles throughout your home—it really makes a big difference.”
Cozy textures abound with an alpaca basketweave blanket and the Aspen Boucle Chair.
Taste and Scent
The quickest and easiest way to create a warm atmosphere at home starts in the kitchen. “I like to mull spices on the stove,” Kayne says. “I’ll throw together cinnamon, apple, orange, clove, and ginger in a pot and let the smell just fill the room. Then I’ll fill mugs and let everyone enjoy.” She also lights her favorite Jenni Kayne Home candles throughout her space. “The Ash, Aspen, and Cedar scents are perfect for these colder months,” she says.
A tablescape featuring Jenni Kayne Home candles, plates, and cutlery.
Jenni Kayne’s Lake Tahoe Travel Recommendations
Jenni Kayne has vacationed in South Lake Tahoe since she was a young girl. Here, the designer shares her favorite spots in the area.
A Casual Meal
“I cook at home the majority of the time. But every couple of weeks I need the night off, and I love driving to a really cute town near the top of the lake called Truckee. Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats is in an old saloon-like hotel, and it feels very authentic. They have a delicious veggie burger and the best truffle and Parmesan French fries. It just feels like a treat.”
Kitchen Supplies
“While in Truckee, I’ll stop in at Tahoe Oil & Spice, which sells incredible flavor-infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars. My go-to is a rosemary-infused olive oil. Back in town, I’ll stock up on groceries at Grass Roots Natural Foods and then go home and get creative in the kitchen.”
A store display at Bespoke.
Gift Shopping
“In Truckee, we usually eat, walk around, munch on something yummy like candy apples, and leave with something cute. I like to shop at Bespoke, which has a really eclectic arrangement of gifts and home items.”
Chai Tea Break
“Free Bird Cafe makes the best chai lattes. They sometimes will sell their concentrate so you can just add your own milk. It’s a great pick-me-up in the colder months that’s not too sweet and kind of spicy. People are obsessed with it. They have two locations in South Lake Tahoe.”
Skiing at Heavenly.
The Great Outdoors
“It’s not a trip to Tahoe without time spent hiking or skiing. There are beautiful hikes right outside our door, so we usually stay local, but if we want to leave the area, I love hiking Spooner Lake on the Nevada side—and there’s a gorgeous wildflower hike a short drive south of us, near Kirkwood. Our closest ski mountain is Heavenly. When you’re skiing down the mountain, you’re staring at the lake. I don’t know anywhere else where you can get that kind of view.”
The spa at the Edgewood Tahoe resort.
Spa Day
“They recently added villas to the Edgewood Tahoe Resort. The hotel is a perfect spot to relax and unwind during a weekend away.”
This article appears in the February 2023 issue of ELLE.
Melissa Giannini is the features director of ELLE.
