The 1966 Rustic Canyon residence of filmmaker Alexandra Kerry and her husband, Julien Dobbs-Higginson, stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Southern California Modernism. Designed by the late maestro Ray Kappe, the home recently underwent a thoughtful interior transformation that seeks to reconcile the stark, geometric rigor of midcentury architecture with the eclectic, personal histories of its inhabitants. Kerry, the daughter of former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, and Dobbs-Higginson, a cofounder of the wellness-focused platform Madeworks, have collaborated with interior designer Kate Driver of West Haddon Hall to create a space where Continental antiques, New England heirlooms, and contemporary art coexist within Kappe’s signature interlocking wood volumes and cantilevered planes.
The Architectural Legacy of Ray Kappe
To understand the significance of the home, one must first consider the philosophy of its creator. Ray Kappe (1927–2019) was a central figure in the second generation of Southern California modernists. As the founding director of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Kappe was renowned for his ability to master complex topographical sites and for his use of "diversity within a common system." In a 2006 interview, Kappe described his interest in creating varied plan relationships and spatial qualities within a cohesive structural framework.
The 1966 house in Rustic Canyon embodies these principles. It features the hallmarks of Kappe’s most celebrated work: massive glulam beams, expansive clerestory windows, and a multi-level floor plan that follows the natural slope of the canyon. The residence was built during the same era as Kappe’s own landmark home, also located in Rustic Canyon, which is widely regarded as one of the most significant residential designs of the 20th century. The architecture is characterized by a "volumetric brio," where natural light is orchestrated to change the mood of the interior throughout the day, and the boundary between the indoor living spaces and the surrounding redwood-filled environment is intentionally blurred.
A Synthesis of Global Backgrounds
The current residents bring a diverse set of cultural influences to the house, which initially presented a decorative challenge. Julien Dobbs-Higginson, who is of British and French descent and was born in Japan, maintains a deep appreciation for the restraint of Japanese design and the clean lines of minimalism. However, he acknowledges the practical difficulties of maintaining a strictly minimalist lifestyle while raising two daughters, Isabelle and Allegra.
Alexandra Kerry, conversely, was raised in Massachusetts and spent significant time in Rome during her youth. Her aesthetic is rooted in a traditional New England sensibility, characterized by the layering of historical objects and family legacies. "I have a more traditional New England sensibility, mixing beautiful things from the past," Kerry explained. "Some of my most cherished pieces came from my mother, who was raised in Rome. We wanted to honor Kappe’s vision, but we were a little stumped about blending the old and the new."
The reconciliation of these two distinct perspectives—modernist minimalism and historical traditionalism—became the primary objective of the renovation project led by Kate Driver.
Chronology of the Transformation
The history of the home can be viewed through several distinct phases:
- 1966: Construction and Original Vision. Ray Kappe completes the residence, utilizing a modular system of wood and glass to create a transparent living environment in the verdant Rustic Canyon.
- 1965–1967: The Kappe Era. This period saw the height of Kappe’s residential output in the canyon, establishing a local vernacular of "warm modernism" that utilized redwood and Douglas fir.
- 2019–2025: Transition of Stewardship. Following the passing of Ray Kappe in 2019 and his wife Shelly in early 2025, several of his landmark properties, including his primary residence, began to transition to new owners, sparking a renewed interest in his decorative philosophy.
- The Current Project: Kerry and Dobbs-Higginson acquire the property and enlist Kate Driver to modernize the interiors while preserving the architectural integrity of the "Old Master" structure.
The Design Strategy: Minimal Intervention and Layering
Kate Driver’s approach to the project was one of profound deference to the original architecture. She likened working on a Kappe house to restorative work on an Old Master painting, stating that she "would never paint over" the original intent. Her goal was to create a "nuanced synthesis" that allowed the architecture to breathe while accommodating the family’s extensive collection of art and antiques.
Driver looked to Kappe’s own home for inspiration, noting that his personal interiors were not sterile galleries but were filled with "bold swaths of color, strategic hits of pattern, art leaning against walls, and stacks of books." This lived-in, intellectual atmosphere served as the blueprint for the new decorative scheme.
The Living and Dining Areas
In the living room, the focal point is an antique trumeau mirror, a family heirloom from Kerry’s great-grandmother, which hangs above the fireplace. This traditional element is juxtaposed with vintage Scandinavian seating and contemporary drawings by sculptor James Capper. A chartreuse linen-covered Rose Uniacke ottoman adds a pop of modern color, while an Akari lantern by Isamu Noguchi provides a sculptural light source that nods to Dobbs-Higginson’s Japanese roots.
The open dining area continues this "time-traveling" ethos. Neoclassical Sheraton-style armchairs from the Thorne family flank a custom credenza inspired by the work of Charlotte Perriand. Above the credenza hangs a Claes Oldenburg drawing of a baseball glove. The surface of the cabinet displays a gilded bronze Empire candelabrum alongside a 1960s glass-and-steel Artemide lamp by Studio BBPR, effectively bridging three centuries of design.
Private Spaces and Entries
The entry hall serves as a gallery for contemporary works, featuring a piece by Jenny Holzer. Furniture in this space includes a 1940s Italian console in the style of Paolo Buffa and a Verner Panton chair designed for IKEA. Throughout the home, custom built-ins—another Kappe hallmark—have been softened with new textiles, such as Liberty linen seat cushions in window nooks, paired with Alvar Aalto tables and Ferm Living storage solutions.
The Madeworks Influence: Nontoxic Living
Beyond the aesthetic considerations, a significant driver of the home’s interior program is the couple’s commitment to environmental health. Kerry and Dobbs-Higginson are the founders of Madeworks, an organization dedicated to establishing higher standards for nontoxic and environmentally responsible products.
"We’re very passionate about nontoxic living. Having children only amplified that concern," Kerry noted. This philosophy influenced every material choice in the home, from the finishes on the wood to the formulations of the textiles and furniture. The project reflects a broader movement within high-end residential design toward "clean" interiors—spaces that prioritize air quality and sustainable sourcing without sacrificing architectural beauty.
This focus on human health and ecosystem viability is particularly appropriate for a home situated in the unique microclimate of Rustic Canyon. The property is bordered by a creek and a grove of redwood trees, housing local wildlife such as frogs, bobcats, and mountain lions. The design serves to enhance this communion with nature, ensuring that the interior environment is as healthy as the surrounding canyon air.
Broader Impact and Implications for Modernist Preservation
The successful blending of antiques and modernism in the Kerry/Dobbs-Higginson home offers a model for the preservation of midcentury properties. As many iconic homes from this era change hands, there is a recurring debate over whether they should be treated as "time capsules" or as evolving living spaces.
By introducing heirlooms and traditional elements, Driver and her clients have argued for the latter. Their approach suggests that the strength of Kappe’s architecture lies in its flexibility—its ability to provide a "common system" that is robust enough to support "diversity." This project demonstrates that the rigid boundaries often placed around "Modernism" are unnecessary; a well-designed space can accommodate the layers of a family’s history without losing its essential character.
Furthermore, the integration of the Madeworks "nontoxic" standard highlights a new frontier for architectural stewardship. The preservation of a landmark home now involves not only maintaining its physical structure but also ensuring that its internal ecology is sustainable for future generations.
In the end, the project is a celebration of the dropped blood pressure and "exhale" that Kate Driver describes upon entering a Kappe space. By honoring the architect’s poetic orchestration of light and wood while infusing it with personal narrative and modern health standards, the residence remains a vibrant, functioning piece of Southern California’s architectural history. As Julien Dobbs-Higginson observed, the home provides a rare sense of domestic bliss that feels entirely removed from the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, proving that Ray Kappe’s 1966 vision remains as potent today as it was nearly sixty years ago.
