Embeth Davidtz Opens Her Light-Filled, Travel-Inspired Home

Embeth Davidtz invites us into her Brentwood home, a serene blend of heritage, travel influences, modern design and personal storytelling

For the beloved American-South African actress and recent director, finding her home in Brentwood Park, Los Angeles, felt like discovering the perfect balance between tradition and modernity. With its slate roof, wooden siding and tree-lined setting, the property had the charm of a modern Connecticut barn.

The dining room blends global art, heritage pieces and warm textures, creating a space rich with story and connection

Embeth made her mark early, altering proportions and adding a generous front porch — not quite a South African stoep, but a nod to her roots and love of covered outdoor spaces. She initially collaborated with interior designer Windsor Smith of Los Angeles–based studio Windsor Smith Home, but over the past 20 years Embeth has also gradually shaped her home into a reflection of their family life — one that is rooted in travel and evolving alongside children as they’ve become adults. ‘I needed the rooms to have intimacy and softness,’ she says. ‘Light is really important to me, but so is texture.’ The home blends the refinement of an English townhouse with the relaxed elegance of Southern California and the earthy authenticity of South Africa.

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Nature, Warmth and Design Shape a Home Made for Slowing Down

‘My brief was that, although the house is large, I didn’t want it to feel that way. I wanted each room to have intimacy, softness and plenty of light,’ shares Embeth

Personal pieces tell the story of her life with her husband, Jason: an ancient English farm table, brass sculptures inherited from his family, vibrant street art and textiles collected across continents. Embeth’s kitchen, with its walls of South African art and tactile finishes, is a grounding space for family gatherings.

Artworks collected from around the world truly anchor the home. ‘They make the house feel like ours, reflecting both my South African roots and Jason’s Californian heritage,’ says Embeth

Meanwhile, her bedroom and the formal living room, both dressed in silvery De Gournay wallpaper, offer serene, light filled retreats. Moving to Pretoria in the 70s, when she was eight years old, Embeth draws constant inspiration from South Africa’s approach to design: a mix of textures, natural fibres and unapologetic colour.

‘I’ve created spaces, like the family room with its George Smith sofa and oversized ottoman, that aren’t too precious but still feel inviting’, she says

She intentionally kept her palette largely neutral, letting the art add bold accents, and she balanced beauty with practicality for her pets, children and daily life. The space feels lived-in yet modernly sophisticated — a reflection of a life well travelled, layered with memory, creativity and quiet elegance.