Model Kara Del Toro's LA Home Feels Like a Permanent Vacation – The Interiors Blend European Luxury and California Cool

'I really wanted my home to feel timeless and transportive, almost like a boutique hotel you’d stumble upon in Italy or Spain,' Kara Del Toro tells Homes & Gardens of her Los Angeles home. A peek inside shows that her remodel delivered.

Her finished house tour embodies just this: the equilibrium between California casual style and European glamour. It's all grounded by the model, actress, and Kaje Studio creative director's signature love for warm neutrals and obsession with gorgeously textured premium interiors.

She explains: 'I would describe my style as warm, timeless, and European inspired, with a California cool sensibility. I gravitate toward natural materials, soft textures, antique elements, and a neutral palette. I love creating spaces that feel elevated but also lived in and comfortable.'

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Starting with the kitchen, a combination of natural wood and gorgeous marble creates an environment that perfectly embodies her accessible approach to premium design.

The inspiration for the home is deeply enmeshed with Kara's travels to Europe. 'I’ve always been drawn to Mediterranean architecture and old-world European homes, so I wanted to lean into those influences and highlight the beautiful arches, Saltillo tiles, French doors, and warm materials that first made me fall in love with the house,' she tells Homes & Gardens.

This approach inspired her to combine pieces she loved from brands like Olive Ateliers and Lulu and Georgia with locally sourced vintage and antique pieces from California flea markets.

Kara states: 'I was inspired by European villas and spaces that feel collected over time. I love interiors that are warm, understated, and romantic, where nothing feels too perfect.'

The result is an incredibly relaxed interior that sings with sunshine from every corner.

'More than anything, I wanted my home to feel like I'm forever on vacation,' says Kara. 'I love that old-world European charm while still keeping things calm and California. Whenever I travel, I'm constantly creating mood boards and taking photos of hotels and beautiful spaces that inspire me. Those little moments and details often end up influencing my home in ways I don't even realize until later.'

Recreate Kara's Look at Home

It's the little details that truly bring Kara's home to life. From terracotta vases to the best candle, here are our editors' picks for recreating her richly appointed kitchen.

If you thought Kara's kitchen exuded relaxed elegance, then you are not ready for the living room. Billowy textiles create an enchantingly layered space that feels soft enough to sink into, even in photographs.

Kara explains: 'My goal was for every room to feel calming and beautiful and to give you the illusion that you're far away from city life. I wanted the home to feel like an escape, somewhere that instantly makes you exhale and slow down.'

Though the decor may look seamless, the design process involved a lot of heavy lifting. A slow decorating approach became Kara's best friend.

'Designing the house was definitely a process of patience, but it was so exciting for me,' Kara says. 'It really unlocked a new passion. I opted not to work with a designer because I wanted to challenge myself and do it all on my own. I took my time and approached it room by room, and honestly, it's never finished. Even now, it still feels like a work in progress.'

'Some of the most exciting parts were selecting marble, flooring, and fixtures. I love dramatic Calacatta marbles and antique tiles, and I really enjoyed sourcing those details. One of the biggest challenges was finding the balance between creating something elevated while still making it practical for everyday life—practicality isn't always my first thought!'

She continues: 'Importing tiles and fixtures from Europe definitely came with its fair share of shipping delays and unexpected obstacles, but it was all worth it in the end.'

Would she do it all again the same way? Absolutely. The process of decorating a home to align perfectly with her unique taste shines through in every space of her neutral living room, and throughout the home.

Kara advises: 'My biggest piece of advice is to trust your gut. If you know you love the Calacatta marble, even if everyone tells you it's impractical, go for it. You can always embrace a little patina over time, but you don't want to live with the regret of not following through on the things you truly love. '

As a design magazine, one of our favorite aspects of Kara's home is that it shows how a neutral color palette can look deeply layered and visually interesting.

She tells us, 'I think when people hear "neutral," they assume boring, but I actually think it allows the textures and materials to become the focus. The majority of my home is filled with beautiful old Saltillo tiles that bring so much warmth to the main living spaces. Between the warm wooden ceilings, the architectural details, and the arched French windows overlooking the mountains and greenery, that's really where my color comes from.'

The neutrality of the textiles and furnishings comes not out of a desire for things to blend in, but to let the important details stand out. 'For the interiors themselves, I prefer to keep things neutral and natural so those features can really shine,' says Kara.

'I layered different tones of ivory, cream, and warm whites with natural stone, wood, linen, and vintage pieces. That variation in texture creates depth and warmth and keeps everything from feeling flat. The architecture itself has so much character that I think the neutral palette allows those details to take center stage.'

This color palette also doesn't mean that parts of her home can't be deliciously dramatic.

'I did have some fun with my powder room,' says Kara. 'I completely color washed the space with forest green plaster walls, deep green zellige tiles, and kept the terracotta floors. If you're someone who loves neutrals as I do, I would encourage you to choose one room to have fun with. It keeps things interesting and prevents the house from ever feeling too serious.'

At the end of the day, what really brings magic into this home is its sensory nature. Each element is carefully designed for everyday living and happiness.

'My favorite aspect is that it truly feels like an escape,' says Kara. 'Owning a home in California was always a dream of mine, and I spent years visualizing what it would look and feel like, so I never take a moment of it for granted.'

She concludes: 'I love that there are little moments throughout the house that make everyday life feel special and fill me with gratitude. Whether it's having coffee on the patio overlooking the mountain views, opening the French doors to let in fresh air and sunshine, or watching the golden hour light move through the rooms throughout the day, those simple moments bring me so much joy.'

Its evidence that when you bring joy, intention, and personality to every aspect of your design journey, you cannot go wrong.

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