Diane Keaton is more than just Hollywood royalty; she's a fashion icon - and her interior style is no exception. Revered for her classic yet edgy sartorial looks, from bowler hats to chunky belts, it's no surprise that the actress manages to make a space as functional as the fireplace into a vignette brimming with charm.
When it comes to styling a living room we typically work around built-in features like the fireplace, instead relying on soft furnishings and decorative accessories to curate a bespoke space that speaks to our tastes. Not for Keaton, however. For the Godfather star, a unique brick was the springboard from which the rest of her fireplace was designed.
Her arched brick fireplace and hearth, encased in stucco plaster and flanked by lantern-style sconces, is the perfect space to hunker down on cold evenings. Not only does it provide a wealth of inspiration for earthy, Spanish Colonial-style design, but it teaches a vital lesson in how to make functional features into clever conversation starters.
Shop the look
This 2' x 3' rug is the perfect size to fill the space in front of a hearth. Soft textures not only dial up the coziness, but they allow you to introduce color and pattern for a personal touch.
This teakwood vase started life as a dairy vessel and now makes an elegant addition to a living room corner. Wooden tones add warmth and patina, and they're a mainstay in Spanish-style homes like Keaton's.
The fireplace should be a space to gather away from screens and other distractions. Add an accent chair to create the perfect spot to unwind with a book or sip tea with a loved one.
Stephen Shadley, interior designer to A-listers, is the mastermind behind Keaton's Beverly Hills home (which was later bought by Ryan Murphy and David Miller). In a recent Instagram post, he shared a photo of Keaton's fireplace, a project that was born out of 'a unique brick Di had found', he writes.
From that single brick, Keaton and Stephen had a vision for the rest of the cozy living room, which pays homage to the home's Spanish heritage. (The same brick became the building block for other features within the home, too.) It's an ethos that can be translated to any spot in your home. Whether you fall in love with a traditional tile or a vintage artifact, why not make these unique details the center point of your design rather than an afterthought?
'Diane Keaton’s fireplace is a testament to how even the most practical elements of a home can become deeply personal design statements,' explains interior designer Nina Lichtenstein. 'Keaton handpicked the rich brown bricks, which are arranged in a vertical arched pattern around the black fireplace insert, creating a bold yet timeless focal point. This thoughtful blend of functionality and personal touch demonstrates how bespoke elements can transform even a utilitarian feature into a work of art.'
To put the fireplace at the front and center, Keaton styled the space using a rustic rug, two wooden chairs, and wall art hung above the mantel to create symmetry and frame the hearth. Lichtenstein says that by anchoring the rest of the furniture in this way, the fireplace becomes the focus. 'This creates a harmonious, grounding effect that naturally draws the eye toward the hearth, making the space feel cohesive and intentional,' she says.
Minimal color is needed to draw the eye, either. Instead, contrast is used to bring the fireplace to the foreground. 'The warm hues of the brown brick, the tactile quality of the wood, and the contrasting black accents create depth and warmth,' Lichtenstein notes. 'Together with the dark beamed ceiling and the natural tones of the furniture, these elements foster a sense of warmth and intimacy that wraps the room in comfort.'
Keaton's fireplace goes to show how something as simple as a single brown brick can carry so much weight and tell such a story. Whatever tiny details pique your interest, however banal they may seem, can always become a talking point in your own home.
