Kanye andKim KardashianWest areno ordinary home owners.
Though the superstar couple have shared bits and pieces of their minimalistic California mansionon social media, they’ve now officially opened the doors to their other-worldly — andoften perplexing— oasis for the first time.
In the cover story ofArchitectural Digest‘s March “Star Power” issue, the rapper-fashion designer and beauty mogul share how the$60 million mansionbecame their home after an extensive renovation that leftthem living with Kim’s mom,Kris Jenner, for nearly three years.
Jackie Nickerson
Kanye and Kim Kardashian’s home, forArchitectural Digest.Jackie Nickerson
For Kanye, who Kim says is typically subdued, the lukewarm reception actually meant he was all in, she explains in an accompanying video interview.
The couple decided to purchase the house as a major overhaul project, turning the suburban “McMansion” — as they describe its pre-renovation state — into a space in which they could raise their growing family and feel at ease.
Now, Kanye describes the intentionally spare property as a “futuristic Belgian monastery.”
The couple worked closely with Belgian architect Axel Vervoordt to completely remodel the home, creating a stark, almost church-like aesthetic. The home is decorated entirely in muted shades of white, brown and grey — a color scheme which the pair says relaxes them and makes them happy to be home amid the chaos of the outside world.
The home is free of all clutter, and is shockingly spotless for a family with four kids: North, 6½, Saint, 4, Chicago, 2, and Psalm, 8 months.
“The kids ride their scooters down the hallways and jump around on top of the low Axel tables, which they use as a kind of stage,” Kanye says. “This house may be a case study, but our vision for it was built around our family.”
Flexing his creativity often through both hisYeezy fashion lineand his music, Kanye says he has also been fascinated with design for quite some time, and began focusing on it more when his career — and budget — began to grow.
Kim Kardashian/Instagram
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West with family.Kim Kardashian/Instagram
“When I was growing up in Chicago, before the internet, I’d go to my local Barnes & Noble to check outArchitectural Digestand other design magazines, along with the fashion and rap titles,” he says. “My father encouraged me. He always had graph paper around for me to scribble on.” Later, the star would visit European flea markets and international design fairs to explore his tastes further.
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Kanye admits that early in his career, he sold his Maybach car for an original Jean Royère Polar Bear sofa. Now, their home is filled with Royère pieces. And he passed his passion and learnings on to his wife.
“I really didn’t know anything about furniture before I met Kanye,” Kim says, “but being with him has been an extraordinary education. I take real pride now in knowing what we have and why it’s important.”
Kim Kardashian West/Instagram
Still, the couple makes sure not to take anything too seriously, especially with the kids in mind. “We’re not going to be fanatics,” Kim says.
Kanye agrees: “Everything we do is an art installationanda playroom.”
See more of Kim and Kanye’s family home in the March issue ofArchitectural Digestor atarchdigest.com.
source: people.com
