Inside a Photographer’s Soulful California Beach House

To achieve that effect, Johnson expected it to take just a little bit of decorating here and furnishing there. “But as I worked with Lauren, it became clear we needed to make some impactful changes to bring the vision to life,” the homeowner says. These included peeling back the ceilings to expose the natural wood, installing warm timber cabinetry, and adding texture with patinated copper and rich bluestone. “The design of this home was deeply influenced by its surroundings,” says Garrett, who created a palette of textured linens, woven rattans, and soft seafoam greens to capture the coastal spirit, working with Requiem Builders for the execution. “The vision was to create the ultimate beach house—a retreat that feels both serene and inviting, where Daisy could seamlessly transition from hosting lively gatherings with friends and family to enjoying quiet solitude after a long day by the ocean.”

The living room is a warm, cozy oasis that frames the view. The Funghi lantern from Charlap Hyman & Herrero, hand-painted by artist Pilar Almon, glows like an orange moon, casting a halo over the 1970s French Shogun coffee table by Roger Capron and the vintage Tuareg mat from North Africa. Designer Lauren Garrett sourced a 16th-century Aubusson tapestry from her own boutique Galerie Was, as a backdrop for the custom sofa. “These thoughtful contrasts—between old and new, bold and understated—reflect Daisy’s adventurous and creative spirit, making the home uniquely hers,” says the interior designer.

Anyone who knows Johnson knows her home is an ever-evolving cabinet of curiosities, a shrine to keepsakes from happy moments gone by. “I love picking up little treasures when I travel, whether it’s the beautiful ceramic mug I brought back from India or the vintage Playboy magazine I found on a road trip in Utah, featuring Bo Derek and an orangutan on the cover,” she muses. There are other novelties, too, like the small silver box she picked up in Colorado, filled with photographs from her first road trip with her partner, which sits on the coffee table next to a book by Duane Michals—an artist she credits with sparking her love of photography.

On the shelf beside her records are delicate white shells, salvaged from the beach by her partner’s mother. “There’s also the collection of drawings by my best friend, Katie Schecter, an incredibly talented artist and musician. I convinced her to sell me a few of her personal drawings, and now they hang in my hallway, where I pass them every morning,” Johnson says with a smile. All in all, the home is a collection of memories that reflect the contours of her life. As she puts it: “I’ve always believed a house is just a structure until you fill it with pieces of yourself.”