You likely know Jessica Alba as an actress and the founder of The Honest Company, known for her commitment to clean living and stylish, sustainable products. But behind her design-savvy exterior is a wealth of inspiration drawn from art, travel, and her down-to-earth approach to creating a functional, beautiful home. I got to chat with Alba and BFF, Lizzy Mathis, about how they bring authenticity, creativity and a fresh perspective to the spaces they design in Honest Renovations, with Season 2 just launched and now streaming on Roku. Whether they’re dropping design tips or sharing their go-to sources of inspiration, these two bring a fresh, relatable vibe to everything they touch.
One of my favourite aspects of Honest Renovations is the genuine, relatable friendship you share. How important is it for you to show that connection?
Mathis: I think it’s everything. For us, this show is so multilayered. The fact that we’re both women of colour, and able to executive produce, host and co-create this show is a big deal. When we can celebrate moments like that, especially together, it amplifies it that much more. Another thing is that we’re just so supportive of each other — there’s no competition between us. This is a real, honest relationship that you’re seeing on screen.
I’m interested in your own spaces — where do you find design inspiration? Where do you draw the inspiration that you bring to the show?
Alba: I would say art, architecture and travelling. I love art books, art magazines, architecture magazines and design magazines. And then Pinterest — I go nuts on Pinterest! I love it, and I follow a bunch of interior designers and architects.
Mathis: For me, it’s everywhere. On socials, you see so many things to get inspired by. But it’s also about travel and just being able to see how different people design in different places around the world.
What would you suggest for those who want to start their own reno journey and are looking for inspiration?
Alba: Curate a board on Pinterest, or even put together a scrapbook of beautiful things that bring you joy — colours, flowers, textures, shapes and then a bunch of rooms. Say you want to do your living room. Find a bunch of living rooms and put them on the board — you’ll start to see what your taste is. You’ll gravitate toward things like, “Oh my gosh, I really love white couches. Who knew?” You’ll find your aesthetic and preferences, and that will help narrow down your design.
Thinking about budget, what’s your go-to DIY design tip?
Alba: Colour washing is a big one — when you paint your baseboards, your trim, your ceiling and your walls all the same colour. It makes it really elegant and seamless to not see these hard lines. And if you do want to have a focal point, then do your window trim black, or your window trim white, and that can pop inside your room.
We’re back to school and back to work after summer. How can thoughtful changes to your home help with the increased demands and busier schedules?
Alba: I’d say decluttering your space and setting it up so you don’t have to deal with extra things around [can help]. Every season, doing a declutter of your closet, doing a declutter of your communal spaces — whether you’re a single person in an apartment or have a big family — is a good habit to get into. You can donate, you can sell.
Mathis: For back-to-school specifically, it’s about organising and having spaces in place, so that when the kids are back in their routine, they know exactly where to grab things and go. They know exactly where to come in and put their book bags or gym shoes — whatever it is.
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