Jo Situ Allen’s Laguna Beach Home Is Equal Parts Cozy & Creative
Welcome to Mama Cribs, an FM Journal series where we shine a light on the gorgeous homes inhabited by inspiring mothers.
Photos: Jo Situ Allen
Although Jo Situ Allen describes herself as a “earth, mountains, and trees” type of person, she’s clearly settled into the oceanside lifestyle nicely, something that’s reflected in her soothing yet eclectic Laguna Beach home. That said, if you’re familiar with Allen’s work as an artist and jewelry designer — which is filled with symbols of nature and nostalgia — the fact that she’d arrange such a space isn’t at all surprising.
Part Mid-Century Modern (lots of warm wood detailing and organic shapes) and part bohemian (a minimal color palette, crystals, shells, and personal artwork), Allen’s home feels warm and lived-in, but also without a thing out of place. And that ability to curate is something the artist says comes about organically. Rather than obsessing over finding new and trendy pieces to decorate with, she allows the objects that eventually make their way into her home “find” her instead — and the space is all the more magical because of that philosophy.
Allen recently gave us an inside look at the abode she shares with her husband, daughters, and a host of animal companions (a few more creatures and she could start her own zoo), plus she shared a few more details about this sacred space, including her family’s little rituals, how she lets her kids take part in the design process, and the unique piece of art she treasures most. See it all ahead.
What are some words you’d use to describe your home?
Warm, cozy, grounding, uplifting, easy.
Who lives with you in your home, and what age are your little ones?
Hubby, Alexa (9), Sierra (7), Luna our bearded dragon, Lizzo our ball python, Mochi and Bungee (albino parakeets), two snails, a frog and fish!
What initially attracted you to your home and the area you live in?
I actually met my hubby while he was snorkeling. He's always been a water spirit, so Laguna Beach has been his home for a long time. I moved here after graduate school and have come to embrace the sea even though I am an earth/trees/mountains sort of girl.
How have you translated your aesthetic into your kid rooms?
That's where I let the kids lead. There's no aesthetic there except that they love collecting natural artifacts, bones, sharks' teeth, insects, interesting things they find outdoors, stuffed animals, and now plants! I pretty much let them take over that space. And we don't have much furniture because they like building forts and imaginative play so much.
Where in your home does your family spend the most time, and what are some daily rituals you share with your partner and/or little ones?
We definitely spend the most time in our main room, which is just one big room with the kitchen, dining, living, and animal areas all together. Some daily rituals are feeding/caring for all of our animals, dinner at 5:30 where we all sit down to eat and reading/snuggling before bedtime in our bedroom. We always end the day with prayers to the universe and gratitude. And then there is a fair amount of walking back and forth, getting out of bed, and chatting as we keep telling the girls to go to sleep!
“I usually end up with pieces organically — while we are traveling or when I least expect it.”
What item in your home do you treasure the most?
I treasure the memories we have in this home the most (especially because we'll be moving to another part of town soon). As for an item, I do love the early MQuan wall sculpture I got way back because of its ephemeral nature. It is made of clay and has been slowly disintegrating over time, so I appreciate it even more because someday it will be gone and we'll have appreciated every moment we had it.
Where are your favorite places/sites to shop for art and interiors?
I don't have a specific place at all and I don't shop often. I usually end up with pieces that join our home organically — like while we are traveling or when I least expect it. And then it's like the pieces call to me! I do love thrift stores, vintage shops, and small businesses that pop up along the way.
*Stay updated on Jo’s exciting life by following her on Instagram: @dirty_eraser