You won’t have to venture far into this serene home, in Napa Valley, California, to feel the influence of its designer, Kristen Peña. Schooled in European elegance and proportions, the San Francisco–based decorator, and founder of K Interiors, has established a reputation for creating contemporary designs that thoughtfully balance openness and privacy. 

Inside this four-bedroom home, Peña has also managed to go further in melding the tailored, largely monochromatic palette of her clients with a playful, sophisticated scheme that elevates the residence’s overall aesthetic.

When Kristen Pena was brought in, it was like a very clean SLATE, so they all wanted to respect all the lines of the interior building. Pena spent years traveling in Southeast Asia, Morocco and elsewhere, which fostered her love of patterns and textures. At the same time, she wanted to enhance ease of use and comfort by using many hand designers to give the space uniqueness.

That concept was furthered by Peña’s clients, two San Francisco tech executives who purchased the 4,500-square-foot property in 2020 as a weekend refuge. These two avid contemporary art fans have a wide-ranging collection encompassing pieces by a diverse roster of artists who specialize in various media. Today, the interiors are dotted with works by the likes of British fiber artist Sally England and Denmark-based sculptor Nicholas Shurey.