When actors Viola Davis and Julius Tennon purchased their home in the Toluca Lake district of Los Angeles in August 2016, it was an upgrade. The couple had lived in the San Fernando Valley for 11 years. But after Davis’ star rose on the hit ABC series “How To Get Away With Murder,” the couple plunked down $5.7 million on a new 7,545-square-foot mansion in an exclusive section of Los Angeles. After several renovations to the home, the couple unveiled their personal aesthetic — a style steeped in vibrant colors and African heritage.
Davis is an actress who has succeeded in film, television, and theater. She is the first Black woman to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting” as she has received an Academy Award, Emmy Award and Tony Award. In addition to the hit television series “How To Get Away With Murder,” Davis’ notable roles are in films such as “The Woman King,” “The Help,” and “Doubt,” as well as theatrical adaptations including “Fences” and “King Hedley II.” According to Celebrity Net Worth, she has a net worth of $25 million.
Tennon is a producer and actor who is noted for his work on films such as “The Woman King,” “The First Lady” and “Lila & Eve” as well as television series such as “Criminal Minds,” “How To Get Away With Murder,” and “Rizzoli and Isles.” Celeb Net Worth taps Tennon’s net worth at an estimated $15 million.
The couple met on the CBS series “City of Angels” set in 1999. They married in 2003 and adopted their daughter Genesis eight years later. Since then they have collaborated on series such as “How To Get Away With Murder” and “Lila and Eve,” their first production project.
Connecting Heritage And Art With Color
Although the couple had lived in their Toluca Lake home for several years, they had not done many renovations to the five-bedroom, eight-bath home.
But when production for “The Woman King” began, the couple knew it was time to start making their house a home. Their first step: hiring interior designer Michaela Cadiz.
“We were working in South Africa, shooting ‘The Woman King,’ while the renovation was unfolding, and we were inspired by the incredible color and culture there,” Davis told Architectural Digest. “I always want to go big and bold, but not too bold, not garish.”
Cadiz transformed the couple’s home into a sanctuary by replacing the once monochromatic space with one featuring statement art and vibrant colors such as yellow, pink and green throughout. Textile patterns, antiques, and artwork also are present.
The home’s entryway features a sculpture of an Agojie warrior. Purchased in Cape Town while filming “The Woman King,” it depicts a member of the 17th-century woman-led military regiment.
“In our space, we want to feel like we’re connected to our heritage,” Tennon told Architectural Digest.
In the living room, there are images of African-American folklore, enhancing the mood of the subtle space.
“The pieces in and of themselves tell a story, like the Aboriginal dot art and the African-American art, which very much is rooted in the African-American folktale that our people can fly,” Davis explains.
Throughout the home, vibrant wallpaper and textiles add intensity to the dark wood and soft neutral colors that are present throughout.
For example, dragonflies are placed on the ceiling in the primary dressing room. Stormcloud wallpaper is present in the living room, enhancing the presence of a bright blue couch. And in the home gym, photographs of Andy Warhol’s “Polaroids of Muhammad Ali ” are on the wall.
In their daughter Genesis’s room, a black and white animal print wallpaper is featured on one side, while her love of productions such as “Stranger Things” and “The Umbrella Academy” is shown on another.
Traditional Kitchen and Dining Space
The couple’s kitchen and eating area is subtle and spacious. Featuring a large center island and two large globe pendants, the kitchen also includes soft dark brown wood with beige and gray countertops.
The family’s favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. They recently celebrated the holiday in their home with guests having a dance battle in the space.
“We talk, we laugh hysterically, we reconnect,” Davis said. “Our definition of home is a sanctuary, and this is definitely a sanctuary.”
