Home Maker

One half of mother-daughter design duo Thea Home, Dorianne Passman has played a major role in taking the interiors world by storm. Now the new mom (to son, Leo) opens up her beautifully renovated Hancock Park abode to show off her work in her own element and give us the rundown on making a house a home.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your new home! Tell us about the place! How would you describe your home— the design, the feel?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | My husband and I bought this house before I got pregnant, but I knew the second I walked into the space that I would want to raise our kids here. The house is in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Los Angeles, which is really what sold the house to me, that, and the yard. It’s so charming and enchanting. The renovation was quite the process as Hancock Park is a historical neighborhood in LA, and there are so many rules and regulations about how and what you can add. The challenge that comes with designing with restrictions is also what makes the house unique. The respect and homage you have to pay to the history of the home itself pushed us to use materials and spaces in ways we probably wouldn’t have if we were designing on a completely blank slate. When designing my home, I wanted to brighten and open up spaces but still keep a traditional feel.

MINI | Do you have a favorite room in your home? Tell us why you love it.

DORIANNE PASSMAN | The kitchen is my favorite room. Kitchens and bathrooms are always my favorite rooms to design because we really live in those spaces the most, and should feel the best in both. I went to culinary school and worked as a chef before I dove into the world of design, so the kitchen is a very sacred space for me. I wanted my kitchen and pantry to feel seamless, clean, uncluttered, and most of all, extremely utilitarian. It turned out to be just that.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | My mom (who also happens to be my business partner) and I are collectors of all sorts of antiques. I have antique ceramics from all over the country that I love to serve in, along with other kitchen items such as bread boxes, pitchers, etc, that bring me so much joy. My mom found the rocking horse in Leo’s room; that is just so sweet and special. Also my grandmother is an incredible artist and her pieces are all over my house and really make me feel like she is here. She lives in Israel and is truly the original “Thea Home.” We got all of our creativity and taste from her.

MINI | Where do you spend the most time in your home?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | The kitchen. I cook constantly, whether it’s for friends, my cook book club, Leo, or just for my husband and I.

MINI | Talk to us about your son’s room. What are your favorite elements in his room?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | I love Leo’s room because it’s small and simple. I wanted his space (just like the rest of the house) to feel serene, calm, and comfortable. So much light fills the space, and the high ceilings really make the room feel bigger than it is. My favorite pieces in his room are the vintage kilim rug, the chair that my mom and I found at a random antique place (for $75 that we recovered) and of course, my grandmother’s art.

MINI | How did you decide on your son’s name?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | My husband and I chose Leo just because we really loved that it was a strong and simple name. Also, since I am first generation American, it was important to me that my child have a name that was easily pronounced in every language— my name sounds much prettier in Hebrew than it does in English. His middle name, Brada, is my grandmother’s maiden name. Her whole side of the family was killed in the Holocaust and only her and her sister remain, so the name would not have been carried on.

MINI | As a working mom, tell us what a typical work day looks like for you.

DORIANNE PASSMAN | A typical work day has changed a lot since having Leo. My focus has, of course, shifted, since he is still so young. I now split up my days between meetings, sourcing, and installs. Before Leo, I would cram as much in a day as possible. I am now splitting my time between Leo and work and couldn’t be happier.

MINI | What would you say is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | The guilt. I go back and forth between being guilty that I am either not focusing enough on my career, or not focusing enough on Leo.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry or fear?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | That Leo won’t have perspective. I know that my husband and I will have to work hard to remind Leo that he is extremely privileged and that we live in a bubble.

MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | It truly is a juggling act. I wouldn’t be able to do it without my amazing support system. My mother is incredible with Leo, we have a great nanny, and of course, my husband. I also am lucky in that I run my own business with my mom, so if Leo needs to come to the office, or to source some stone in quent. I am so happy that Leo has it all so readily available for him and surrounding him constantly.

MINI | How would you describe your personal style?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | Classic, simple, neutral.

MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom? If so, how?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | Less crop tops, larger sizes.

MINI | Favorite places to go in LA with kids? Tell us!

DORIANNE PASSMAN | Leo is still so young, so the activities are limited, but we do love going to the farmers’ market all together!

MINI | If you could give your children one piece of advice, what would it be?

DORIANNE PASSMAN | Have gratitude.

IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Organize my house.

TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Almond milk latte.

ON MY NIGHTSTAND Cuticle oil, diffuser, glasses, candle.

BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Drink wine. I never liked alcohol (I still don’t drink hard alcohol) but now I really enjoy a glass of wine with dinner every now and then.

GUILTY PLEASURE Really bad reality television, and junk food.

FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Cape Seafood.

CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO A Star is Born soundtrack.

FAVORITE KIDS BOOK The Hungry Caterpillar.

LAST BOOK I READ Goodnight Moon.

ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Kefir, parmesan, almond milk, and eggs.

IDEAL DATE NIGHT Amazing sushi and a massage.

SIGNATURE SCENT... LE LABO SANTAL.

photography by MORGAN PANSING