Imagine walking into a space that feels like a deep exhale—a room where the chaos of the outside world melts away. The air feels lighter, the light hits softer, and every surface invites you to reach out and touch it. This isn’t just a dream; it is the tangible reality of Elle McPherson’s home. Known globally as “The Body,” the Australian supermodel and wellness entrepreneur has curated a living environment as stunning as her runway career yet surprisingly grounded. Her interior style doesn’t shout for attention; instead, it whispers elegance through organic textures, thoughtful art, and a profound connection to nature.
In today’s fast-paced world, celebrity living rooms often serve as the ultimate mood boards for our own aspirations. However, unlike the sterile, museum-like quality of many high-profile homes, Elle’s spaces bridge the gap between aspirational luxury and livable comfort. Whether it is her former Miami mid-century masterpiece or her effortless Australian retreats, the DNA of her design remains consistent: wellness-focused, texture-rich, and beautifully serene.
Core Design Philosophy in Elle McPherson’s Home
To recreate the look, you first have to understand the “why” behind the design. The philosophy driving Elle McPherson’s home is not about impressing guests with gold-plated excess; it is about creating an environment that supports well-being. It is a philosophy that marries the laid-back, sun-soaked vibes of Australia with the sophisticated polish of international luxury.
Timeless Glamour Meets Lived-in Ease
One of the most striking aspects of Elle’s interiors is the balance between timeless glamour and everyday comfort. Often, we think we have to choose between a room that looks expensive and a room where we can put our feet up. Elle prouve que c’est une fausse antithèse. Her living spaces feature high-end finishes—think polished concrete or wide-plank oak floors—but they are softened with approachable elements. You will rarely see a “do not touch” sign in her aesthetic. Instead, you see low-slung sofas that beg you to sink into them, paired with expensive art. The glamour comes from the quality of materials, while the ease comes from the furniture shapes and layout.
Natural Light and Organic Materials
If there is one non-negotiable in Elle McPherson’s home, it is the abundance of natural light. The architecture usually prioritizes floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the line between indoors and outdoors. But it is what she does with that light that matters. The light reflects off organic materials like raw wood, woven seagrass, and matte stone. By avoiding high-gloss synthetics, the light is absorbed and softened, creating a glow rather than a glare. This connection to the earth is a pillar of her wellness brand, WelleCo, and it translates directly into her interior design choices.
Cohesive Color Stories
Finally, the philosophy relies heavily on cohesion. You won’t find jarring color clashes in her living room. The flow from the textile choices to the wall art and furniture is seamless. This doesn’t mean the room is monochrome or boring; rather, it means the tones speak the same language. If there is a pop of color, it is usually derived from nature—a deep leafy green or an oceanic blue—ensuring it doesn’t disrupt the visual peace of the environment.
Signature Elements You’ll See
Now that we understand the mindset, let’s look at the physical components. If you were to walk through Elle McPherson’s home, specifically the living areas, there are recurring characters in her design story. These are the signature elements that you can hunt for to replicate the vibe.
Neutral Base with Warm Undertones
The room’s canvas is almost always neutral. However, this isn’t the stark, hospital-white minimalism of the early 2000s. Elle favors a neutral base with warm undertones. We are talking about creamy whites, sandy beiges, soft taupes, and warm greys. These colors mimic the sand and the driftwood of the coast. By keeping the walls and large furniture pieces in this family, the room feels expansive and airy. It allows the architecture and the textures to do the heavy lifting without visual noise cluttering the space.
Texture Layering in Elle McPherson’s Home
Since the color palette is restrained, the drama must come from somewhere else. In Elle McPherson’s home, the drama is in the texture play. This is the secret sauce to making a neutral room feel expensive and cozy.
- Boucle and Wool: You will often see nubby fabrics like boucle on accent chairs or sofas.
- Linen: Crisp, breathable linen is a staple for curtains and throw pillows.
- Jute and Seagrass: Rugs often feature natural fibers that add a rougher, grounding grit to the smoother soft furnishings.
- Woven Wall Hangings: Instead of just framed art, texture is applied to the walls through macramé or woven tapestries.
Statement Lighting
Lighting serves as the jewelry of the room. In her spaces, lighting fixtures are often sculptural statement pieces. Imagine oversized pendant lamps made of rattan or brass hanging low over a coffee table. Or consider sculptural floor lamps that look like modern art even when off. The key here is scale; Elle isn’t afraid of a large fixture. It acts as a focal point that draws the eye upward, making the ceilings feel higher and the room grander.
Artwork and Photography
Given her background in fashion, it is no surprise that fine art photography plays a huge role. Large-scale black-and-white photographs are a common sight. These pieces add a layer of sophistication and personal history. They are usually framed, allowing the image to speak for itself. It adds a touch of urban chic to the room’s organic, beachy foundation.
Greenery Integration
A wellness-focused home is incomplete without life. Greenery integration is a major feature of this aesthetic. We aren’t talking about a small succulent on a windowsill. We are looking at tall indoor trees, like Fiddle Leaf Figs or Olive trees, in massive terracotta or stone planters. The green breaks up the neutral palette and literally purifies the air, reinforcing the home’s health-conscious vibe.
The Furniture Mix
The furniture selection is a masterclass in high-low mixing, though it’s skewed towards the high end. The silhouettes are crucial. You will see many low-profile sofas and rounded shapes. Sharp corners are rare; curves are everywhere. This promotes flow and softness. She often mixes vintage finds—perhaps a mid-century wooden coffee table—with brand new, plush upholstery. This mix prevents the room from looking like a showroom catalog and gives it a soul.
Color Palettes and Materials in Elle McPherson’s Home
To truly nail the look of Elle McPherson’s home, you have to become a connoisseur of materials. The visual appeal is only half the story; the tactile experience—how a surface feels under your fingertips—is equally important.
The Primary Palette
The color story is strictly disciplined but deeply inviting.
- The Foundation: Ivory, alabaster, oatmeal, and stone grey.
- The Accents: Driftwood brown, charcoal (for contrast), sage green, and muted ocean blue.
- The Metals: Brushed brass or matte black (never shiny chrome).
This palette works because it mimics the natural world. It is the color of a beach on an overcast day—calm, serene, and sophisticated. It provides a blank slate that lets you change small accessories with the seasons without repainting the walls.
Material Choices
When selecting materials to emulate this style, think “earthy luxury.”
- Wood Tones: Walnut and Oak are the heroes here. They add warmth to the white walls.
- Stone Surfaces: Marble is used, but often with a honed (matte) finish rather than a polished finish. Travertine is another favorite for coffee tables or side tables due to its porous, earthy look.
- Natural Fibers: As mentioned, rattan, wicker, and bamboo are essential. They add that “vacation” vibe that Elle is famous for.
Material vs. Vibe Table
To help you visualize how these materials work together, here is a breakdown of the key elements found in her living spaces:
Material Category Specific Choice: The “Vibe” It Creates: Where to Use It
Textiles: Belgian Linen, Boucle, Velvet, Soft, breathable, luxurious: Curtains, Sofa upholstery, Throws
Wood White Oak, Walnut, Teak, Grounded, organic, sturdy Coffee tables, Flooring, Shelving
Stone Travertine, Honed Marble, Cool, architectural, timeless Side tables, Fireplace surrounds
Metals: Aged Brass, Matte Black Vintage, defined, elegant Light fixtures, Cabinet hardware
Decor Ceramics, Terracotta, Glass Artisan, handcrafted, airy Vases, Planters, Table lamps
Care and Maintenance for the Look
A common concern with light-colored, natural interiors is maintenance. How do you keep an ivory sofa looking like Elle McPherson’s home and not a disaster zone? The secret is in the fabric performance. Celebrity homes often use performance fabrics that resist stains and liquids. If you are replicating this, look for “Crypton” fabrics or washable slipcovers (a la linen). For wood and stone, the beauty is in the aging. A scratch on a teak table adds character, fitting the “wabi-sabi” imperfection that this style embraces.
Layout and Space Planning in Elle McPherson’s Home
You can buy all the right furniture, but if you put it in the wrong place, you lose the magic. The layout in Elle McPherson’s home is deliberate. It is designed to facilitate connection—both with people and with nature.
Open-Plan vs. Defined Zones
Most of her spaces embrace an open-plan concept. The living room often flows directly into the dining area or the kitchen. However, she uses furniture to create defined zones. A large area rug is usually the anchor that says, “This is the living space.” By floating the furniture in the middle of the room (rather than pushing it against the walls), she creates an intimate island of comfort within a large, airy room. This technique makes a large space feel cozy and a small space feel grander.
Furniture Arrangement Strategies
The arrangement is always conversational. Imagine two sofas facing each other, or a large sectional paired with two distinct armchairs. The goal is to foster easy conversation. You shouldn’t have to shout across the room to speak to someone. Coffee tables are placed within easy reach of every seat—functionality is key. There is also a clear path of travel; you can walk through the room without bumping your shins on tables. This “flow” is essential for the Zen-like atmosphere.
Scale and Proportion
One mistake many people make is buying furniture that is too small. Elle’s style often plays with oversized scale. A massive sectional sofa grounds the room. To balance this heavy piece, she might use leggy armchairs that let light pass through underneath. This play on proportion—heavy vs. light, tall vs. short—keeps the eye moving and prevents the room from feeling static or bottom-heavy.
Lighting Techniques in Elle McPherson’s Home
Lighting in a celebrity home is never an accident; it is a carefully considered design element. In Elle McPherson’s home, lighting is used to create mood, warmth, and definition.
The Layered Approach
You will never see a single overhead light source illuminating her living room. Instead, she utilizes a layered lighting approach.
- Ambient Lighting: This is the general light, often achieved through recessed pot lights (always on dimmers) or natural light.
- Task Lighting: Floor lamps next to reading chairs or table lamps on side tables provide focused light for specific activities.
- Accent Lighting: This highlights specific features, like a picture light over a piece of art or an uplight highlighting the leaves of a large plant.
Enhancing Warm Neutrals
The temperature of the light bulbs is critical. To make those warm neutrals and wood tones glow, you need warm white bulbs (2700K to 3000K). Cool daylight bulbs (5000K) will turn a creamy room into a sterile clinic. The soft, yellow-hued light interacts with the brass hardware’s gold tones and the beige in the linen to create that golden-hour look 24/7.
Celebrity-Glam Glow Without Glare
To get that “glam” feel, light needs to be diffused. You’ll notice many of her fixtures have shades made of fabric, paper, or frosted glass. This acts as a filter, softening the light before it hits your eyes. It is the interior design equivalent of a soft-focus camera lens—it makes everyone and everything in the room look better.
Accessorizing in Elle McPherson’s Home
This is where the house becomes a home. While the furniture provides the structure, the accessories provide the soul. Accessorizing in Elle McPherson’s home is an exercise in restraint and storytelling.
Travel-Inspired Decor and Heirlooms
Elle is a globetrotter, and her home reflects that. You will see bowls filled with shells collected from a beach, coffee table books about art and fashion from different cities, or tribal statues picked up on travels. These aren’t generic items bought at a big-box store; they are travel-inspired memories. Mixing these with family heirlooms gives the space a sense of history. It tells the visitor that this isn’t just a showroom; it’s a life well-lived.
Balancing Statement Pieces
The rule of thumb here is: one star per scene. If you have a massive, intricate crystal geode on the coffee table, the rest of the table surfaces should be relatively quiet. If you have a busy gallery wall, keep the throw pillows solid. Elle balances bold statement pieces with everyday practicality. A stack of books is topped with a simple candle. A sculptural vase stands alone on a console. This negative space around objects gives them importance.
Curated Collections
Clutter is the enemy of wellness. However, “minimalism” doesn’t mean “empty.” It means curated. Instead of having 50 small trinkets scattered around, group them. A tray on the coffee table might hold a candle, a wick trimmer, and a small stack of coasters. Grouping items creates a “vignette” which looks intentional and tidy, rather than messy.
How to Recreate Elle McPherson’s Living Room
So, how do you take all of this information and apply it to your own 3,000-word life (or studio apartment)? Here is a practical, step-by-step guide to channeling Elle McPherson’s home style.
Define Your Budget Tier
You don’t need a supermodel salary to get the look, but you do need a plan.
- Luxury Tier: Invest in authentic designer pieces (e.g., a Restoration Hardware Cloud Sofa), original art, and custom joinery.
- Mid-Range: Look at brands like Pottery Barn, West Elm, or Crate & Barrel. Focus on solid wood and real linen.
- Budget-Friendly: Target IKEA (specifically their natural lines like Stockholm), H&M Home for linen accessories, and thrift stores for solid wood furniture that you can refinish.
The 6-Week Refresh plan
- Week 1: Declutter ruthlessly. Remove anything that isn’t beautiful or functional. Paint walls a warm white (e.g., Benjamin Moore’s “Swiss Coffee”).
- Week 2: Evaluate your lighting. Swap out cold bulbs for warm ones. Buy a statement floor lamp.
- Week 3: Address the floor. Buy a large, natural-fiber rug (jute or a wool blend) to anchor the space.
- Week 4: Furniture updates. Add a slipcover to your sofa or buy new textured throw pillows (boucle/velvet).
- Week 5: Bring in nature. Buy two large plants and put them in nice baskets or ceramic pots.
- Week 6: Personalize. Print some black-and-white photos of your own travels or family, frame them in simple black or wood frames, and hang them up.
Shopping Checklist
To help you shop with focus, look for these specific keywords:
- “Oversized linen throw pillows”
- “Travertine nesting tables”
- “Rattan pendant light”
- “Boucle accent chair”
- “Matte black picture frames”
- “Faux olive tree” (if you don’t have a green thumb)
Trends From Elle McPherson’s Home You Can Use
Elle is often ahead of the curve. By adopting her style, you are actually buying into trends that have staying power.
Next-Level Textures
We are moving away from smooth, perfect surfaces. The trend is toward tactile finishes. Plaster walls, limewash paints, and raw silk are becoming mainstream. These add depth to a room without adding color.
Wellness and Biophilic Design
The integration of wellness into the stunning home is huge. This is called biophilic design—design that connects us to nature. It’s not just about plants; it’s about airflow, natural light, and using non-toxic materials. Following Elle’s lead means prioritizing your health through your design choices.
The Slow Décor Movement
Elle’s style champions slow décor. This means buying fewer things, but better things. It’s about sustainability. Instead of buying a cheap particle-board table that will break in a year, you buy a solid oak table that will last a lifetime. This is a trend that benefits the planet and your wallet in the long run.
Reader Questions About Elle McPherson’s Home
You might have some specific questions about how to make this work for you. Here are some common queries I get about this celebrity aesthetic.
Q: What makes Elle McPherson’s living room feel timeless? A: It’s the reliance on natural materials. Wood, stone, and linen have been used in homes for centuries. They don’t date the way plastic or trendy colors (like avocado green or millennial pink) do. Nature never goes out of style.
Q: How can I do this on a tight budget? A: Focus on the textiles and the paint. A fresh coat of warm white paint is cheap but transformative. Then, spend your money on high-quality cushion covers and a good throw blanket. These touchpoints make the whole sofa feel more expensive. Also, browse Facebook Marketplace for vintage wood tables—they fit the aesthetic perfectly and are often cheap.
Q: How do I incorporate greenery without it looking like a jungle? A: Go for scale over quantity. One massive tree in the corner looks chicer and cleaner than 20 tiny pots on a shelf. It creates a sculptural moment rather than clutter.
Q: Which element would you adopt first? A: Definitely the lighting. Changing your lighting scheme from a single overhead bulb to warm, layered lamps instantly changes the mood of the room.
Where Does Elle McPherson Currently Live?
Elle Macpherson, the Australian supermodel known as “The Body,” has frequently shifted residences across her global property portfolio. Recent reports indicate she sold her Coral Gables mansion in Florida for $18.5 million in 2024, after owning it since 2018.
Elle McPherson house photo
