Jennifer Lopez’s Bel Air estate was a 1940s manor remodeled as a rustic-chic French Country retreat, according to Galerie’s 2023 listing coverage. Its upstairs primary wing is the part worth studying: a library, a fireplace, several dressing rooms, and a spa-like bathroom overlooking the grounds. The house has since sold, but the ideas travel well.
Here are eight ways to borrow them.
What was reported
Architect Samuel Marx built the manor in the 1940s, and it sits on about eight acres. She bought it in 2016 for about $28 million, and Homes and Gardens reported it later sold for $34 million.
How to read this article
“From her home” means a detail reported in the listing coverage, some from the primary wing and some from elsewhere in the house, which we say in each idea. How to recreate each idea, and every price, is ours. Images are AI-generated illustrations, not photos of the estate.
1. Add Ceiling Beams
From her homeEffort: Medium$206 to $488 each
The interiors have beamed ceilings, a defining part of the French Country look. Beams draw the eye up and add character to a plain ceiling, and they pair well with plaster walls. Real beams are a structural job, but lightweight faux beams get the look. Install two or three across the ceiling, not one, so they look structural rather than decorative.
Faux beam price check (8 ft)
High-density polyurethane beams, which retailers describe as lightweight. Retailer listings without a clear date, so check current prices.
2. Clad One Wall in Stone
From her homeEffort: Medium to High
Stone-faced walls are listed among the house’s finishes. In a bedroom, one stone wall behind the bed or around a fireplace is plenty, because a whole room of stone would feel cold. Choose a stone with a warm tone, and keep the rest of the room soft so the contrast works.
$8 to $30
per sq ft installedguides disagree
Cost guides we found put installed stone veneer anywhere from about $8 to $30 per square foot, depending on whether it is manufactured or natural. Peel-and-stick stone is a lighter option for small areas.
3. Choose Old Plank Floors
From her homeEffort: High, or Low
The house has floor planks that are about a hundred years old. Wide planks with some wear add warmth that new, perfect floors cannot, because every board shows its age. If you cannot replace the floor, a large rug with a muted pattern layered on top gives some of the same softness.
New Floor vs. Rug Over It
New floor
- Reclaimed or wide-plank boards
- High effort and cost
Rug
- A muted-pattern rug layered on your floor
- Low effort, renter-friendly
4. Put a Fireplace in the Bedroom
From her homeEffort: Low to Medium
The primary wing has its own fireplace. A bedroom fire changes the mood of the whole room by giving you a place to sit and a warm focal point. If you do not have one, an electric fireplace insert gives the look and glow without venting.
Check before you buy
Electric models need a nearby outlet and clearance from fabric. Follow the manufacturer’s spacing, and keep curtains well away.
5. Fit a Small Library Inside the Suite
From her homeEffort: Medium
The primary wing includes its own library. A single wall of shelves and one good reading chair do the job in a normal room. Books also add color and texture, and a shelf wall behind a reading chair makes a bedroom feel layered. Keep the shelf depth shallow enough that it does not take over the room.
A small library in 3 steps
- 1Choose one wall for shallow shelves
- 2Add a reading chair and a lamp beside it
- 3Fill about two thirds with books, leaving gaps for objects
6. Create a Dressing Nook
From her homeEffort: Low
The primary wing has multiple dressing rooms and a large walk-in closet. A nook with a mirror, a bench and good light is the small version, and it gets clothes and getting dressed out of the sleeping area. Use light that faces you, not one bulb above your head.
What the nook needs
See
A mirror
Full length if you can.
Sit
A bench
For shoes and bags.
Light
Front-facing light
Not a single overhead bulb.
7. Panel One Wall in Wood
From her homeEffort: Medium
Downstairs, the library is wood-paneled. In a bedroom, panel just the headboard wall. It will look like an old library without closing in the room, and it gives you a warm backdrop that needs no art. A warm stain or a muted paint color on the panels both work.
Paneling checklist
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| ✔ One wall only | Four paneled walls feel dark and closed in |
| ✔ Choose stain or paint first | Stain shows grain; paint looks softer |
| ✔ Match the stain to other wood | Keeps the room from looking mismatched |
8. Keep It Rustic, Then Add Polish
Our takeEffort: Low
The listing calls the house rustic-chic. The chic part comes from refined fabrics and clean lines next to the rough materials. Without that contrast, a room with beams and stone looks like a cabin. A few polished pieces make it feel like a retreat.
Rustic and Polish Pairs
Rustic
- Rough stone wall
- Plank table
Polish
- Linen bedding
- A crystal lamp
Cost at a glance
| Item | Price seen |
|---|---|
| Faux ceiling beam, 8 ft | About $206 to $488 |
| Stone veneer, installed | About $8 to $30 per sq ft (guides disagree) |
Which Look Fits You?
If you rent, start with idea 6 and the rug-over-floor option in idea 3. If you own your home and have a weekend, ideas 1 and 7 change the room the most. If you only want a cozy corner, ideas 4 and 5 are enough.
Sources
- Galerie: Jennifer Lopez lists extravagant Bel-Air estate for $42.5 million (Feb 16, 2023)
- Homes and Gardens: Jennifer Lopez’s Bel Air home sold for $34 million
