Do Not Disturb with Kate Parfet
Presenting Do Not Disturb, a series uncovering the oasis behind closed doors. We’ve been invited to the homes of indoor enthusiasts—and you’re our plus one. In the next installment, writer and creative Kate Parfet welcomes us to her Los Angeles hideaway high in the San Rafael Hills.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "Do Not Disturb?"
KP: Finally, an instruction I'd happily obey.
What does good design mean to you?
KP: When it works hard but looks like it barely tried.
What’s your favorite thing to do in an empty house?
KP: Honestly, I love organizing my closet. It just feels so deeply satisfying, even if my poor husband can’t find a single sock afterwards.
What’s your first move when you know you’re not going to be disturbed for a while?
KP: Sleep, or pretend I’m working, if anyone asks.
What happens when you take the Do Not Disturb sign down?
KP: My toddler will reappear in seconds.
What does chaos look like here?
KP: My toddler, Louie, brings a toy tornado into every single room. Lots of trains, lots of cars, lots of books—you name it.
What makes your home cool?
KP: You sometimes can’t tell if you’re inside or outside, which is either architectural magic or poor insulation.
What’s something special about your home that nobody knows?
KP: We don’t know a ton about the original architect, but there’s rumors he built Barbara Streisand a compound in Malibu.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
KP: Well, we’re crazy people. We do not have shades on our windows, so the sun every day gets us up. It’s so nice not to have an alarm and we just hit the ground running.
How do you wind down at night?
KP: Debrief with my husband, ideally before one of us falls asleep mid sentence.
What’s something small that makes a big difference in how you reset?
KP: I take my little jar of M&M’s, sometimes a glass of wine, and I will find a little corner of the house to hide away in. That could be in the backyard, where I just breathe and exhale.
What’s your perfect afternoon at home?
KP: Windows and doors open, definitely. A few friends around, wine flowing, halloumi sizzling, watermelon feta salad on the table, and my husband’s playlist.
Do you design for comfort or style?
KP: I would say comfort. My husband would say style, always. We like to meet in the middle.
How would you describe your style in three words?
KP: Big Sur meets Sea Ranch. I think that’s five.
