
At Home With HGTV Host & Motivational Mama Breegan Jane
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Nicki Sebastian
Interior designer, HGTV host, children’s book author, world traveler, philanthropist, and single mama to two boys—there’s really nothing that Breegan Jane can’t do. And her motivational personality often has everyone around her (and those watching her) believing they can do the same!
Just as she’s rolling out her first-ever solo show, The House My Wedding Bought (now streaming on Discovery+), the multi-talented mother of 5- and 7-year-old sons invited us into her Venice Beach home that is as bright and optimistic as the lady behind it. (Case in point: there’s a built-in DJ station under the stairs that leads to impromptu house parties!)
Check it all out in our slideshow below, and find out why Breegan says one of the best pieces of advice she’s received is “Let the mom guilt go!”
- Breegan welcomes us into her light-filled space!
- “My home is located in Venice Beach. I’ve lived here for three years. When I purchased the property, I took the entire home down to the studs! It took two years to remodel.”
- “I would definitely describe the style of my space as modern approachable luxury. It is reminiscent of the gorgeous white palette Ibiza is known for. My home is inconspicuously kid-friendly, and because of that, it maintains an elegance that I love.”
- “I tell my clients to lean into the bones you were given in your space. Consider the existing features you have to work with first. Always use natural light when you can.”
- Little deejays in training.
- “I learned to DJ several years ago, and it’s something I love to do! When I became a mom, the thought of hiding away all of my DJ gear was heart-crushing to me. I knew I had to find a way to incorporate it all in a way that wouldn’t clash with my aesthetic. I had a custom DJ table built, and that solved the problem! We use my turntables all the time! Graceland by Paul Simon is my favorite album of all time, so it gets a lot of spin time!”
- Starting 'em young.
- “It’s completely different. When I’m designing for a client, I’m laser focused on what they want and how they will use the space. Designing for myself gives me the freedom to create exactly what I feel.”
- “One of the biggest tips is to be sure whatever you design is truly for you and not to impress anyone else. It’s your space, and it should suit your tastes and needs. If you keep that in mind, you won’t go wrong.”
- “My bedroom is my favorite part of my home. The styling incorporates so many of the elements of my signature style, and the entire space feels like a relaxing refuge.”
- Some favorite books on Breegan's shelf, including The Secret Lives of Color, Remodelista: The Organized Home, 100 Ways To Love The Feeling of Being Home, Dreads, and Hollywood Candid: A Photographer Remembers.
- “Like for most people, home has become a place with multiple purposes. I focus on ensuring that a home doesn’t just look beautiful, but that it is tailored to what the user does on a daily basis. We spent so much time within our walls this past year; as a result, the concept of home broadened to meet our needs for safety, education, entertainment, and solace. I keep that in mind as I’m designing for clients.”
- The snuggliest trio.
- A cozy corner with a bold feline centerpiece—a theme that pops up later in Breegan's home.
- “I love exploring my kids’ talents. They are currently enjoying horseback riding, piano lessons, basketball, golf, and swimming. I’m introducing them to chess and games from all over the world like mahjong and mancala. We’re also working with a music producer to learn song building. Their minds are like sponges right now at ages five and seven, and we’re just having fun dabbling in a little of everything to see what really captures their interests.”
- “My boys have so much energy, and I’m a mom filled with anxiety and worry regarding simply keeping them alive! LOL! I’m always trying to find the balance between letting them explore the world and being afraid they will jump off a cliff if I’m not watching. I’m sure all parents can relate to that.”
-
“I actually wanted to wait to find out the sex of both boys, but due to some unanticipated issues with their births and the need for extra ultrasounds, I ended up finding out."
"I wanted girls, and I thought both of my babies would be girls until they were born. After having two boys, I feel like I understand men so much better now! I realize there are certain innate tendencies and personality traits that make sense to me now that I’ve been a mom to boys."
"I don’t think of gender as a limiting thing. I talk a lot about embracing femininity in my boys, and I believe it’s important to encourage boys and men to express both sides of themselves. We have fun with varying hair lengths, nail polish, and anything else my boys feel comfortable with regarding their gender expression.”
-
Another feline—this time a jaguar mural by Anewall—graces the staircase.
"I selected it because of the way it inspires me each time I walk down my hallway," says Breegan. "This wallpaper makes me want to strive harder and faster for and towards my goals. It reminds me of my own strength and power, and all the things I want to be. That’s what decor and design should do within a space."
- “I always wanted to be a mother. I wanted to be a neonatal nurse when I was a kid because I loved babies so much. I also knew I wanted to raise them close in age. I also thought I wanted five kids! I’m satisfied with two right now, although I’m open to adoption and more kids in my life. Life will let me know!”
- “I grew up in Southern California with my mom, dad, and two younger siblings. We were the quintessential Californian family who spent tons of time on the beach and soaking up sun rays, but we also spent a lot of time donating our time to philanthropic efforts and giving back. I grew up doing a lot of child modeling, and I used my earnings to donate to various nonprofits geared towards helping less fortunate children. It’s where my love for helping others began.”
- “My mother does an excellent job of allowing creativity to flow. She did that for me, and I think that’s part of the reason I ended up with a career in interior design. She continues to incorporate crafting into activities with my boys when they’re at Nana’s house. We do those things at home as well. Having paints, markers, a piano, Legos, and fostering creativity is really important to me. My boys are in a performing arts camp that they really enjoy. I see all of these things as a foundation for their creative pursuits. Who knows where it will lead!”
- A serene moment in Breegan's primary bathroom.
- “I believe in creating the life and family you want and doing it your own way. We do what’s right for us, even when that makes us stand out because our methodology is a bit different. I do what feels good for my family, and that’s how I try to lead despite any outside pressures.”
- Breegan's closet is filled with an impressive collection of Kenyan jewelry, which she's written about here.
- “I have always traveled with my kids. We’ve visited places that many would have been hesitant to take their kids to, because they aren’t traditionally ‘child-friendly’ locales. I have never let that limit me. My children have had so many amazing experiences in places like Ibiza and I find that invaluable. Traveling around the world expands your point of view in incredible ways. Visiting places like Kenya made me realize how much so many of us take for granted. This was particularly so when it came to education and the privilege it held in certain regions.”
- “My boys are five and seven. They’re into Legos! They also really love surfing. Surfing helps them conquer their fears and expend some energy.”
- “Both of my children are named after their dad (middle names).”
- “My boundaries with screen time only really exist around apps. I try to put limits on my kids’ abilities to download or play games on their screens, and I select the movies they watch. Relative to other moms in my communities, I’ve actually been more lenient when it comes to screen time. As a result, I’ve noticed my kids get a bit bored with it because it isn’t a novelty to them. We mostly use our iPads as educational tools.”
- A comfy outdoor scene.
- “I am an LA-based interior designer, HGTV television host, author, and philanthropist. I have a new show, The House My Wedding Bought, which is streaming now on Discovery+, along with past episodes of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Property Brothers, and other shows I’ve starred on. My interior designs can be seen in luxury estates, award-winning restaurants, and large-scale remodels throughout California. I have a children's book, Carbie, out now, and I spend a great amount of time and effort supporting the protection, welfare, and education of African women and children.”
- “I got an early start in Hollywood as a child actor and model, appearing in television commercials and print campaigns for The Limited, Old Navy, Esprit, Vogue, and other brands from ages 2 to 12. I opened up my own retail store at age 19; that endeavor made me realize I enjoyed interior design as much as creating fashion. I began pursuing outlets to help me hone skills in that field. I sold the store and decided to further my education in the creative field by attending the Art Institute of Southern California. My focus on creative design led me to Austin, where I began styling interior spaces for an international luxury yacht manufacturer. I began staging yacht interiors and received offers to design luxury interiors for celebrities in Los Angeles. I continued refining my skills within the commercial luxury arena, and eventually the residential design world.”
- “I’m greatly inspired by my travels abroad. Visually and culturally, I learn so much about what appeals to various audiences. I use what I learn in my design projects, and add insights from new experiences and concepts to my creative palette. I’m also inspired when I spend time in nature, especially when I can be near the ocean.”
- “It really pushed me beyond what I thought I could do for my family. I became a single mother when my second son was six months old. I felt like a lioness that needed to protect my young. It was more apparent than ever that if my kids were going to live, eat, or play, I had to make it happen. There was so much pressure on me, but I met it without hesitation. It gave me strength to push myself even more.”
-
“Carbie was a story I wrote in my twenties. It was inspired by my travels to Kenya and my understanding of the circumstances many kids face in that country. I wanted to use the story of diamond creation to teach children how our struggles can often become our greatest accomplishments.”
“I’m working on a new book, titled Are You My Friend? It’s another children’s book I created to help my then 3-year-old son understand the various relationships that can exist in the world (couples, single people, etc.). I feel like children’s books have a way of explaining things simply, especially to young readers.”
- “School was very challenging for me as a single mom taking care of two young boys. I needed to get them on Zoom calls on different schedules, all while dealing with a demanding career myself. I took a great deal of individual time to teach them lessons throughout the day, but it was tough with my workload. I had to make some hard decisions in prioritizing all that needed to be done, and oftentimes that came with a huge dose of mom guilt. In the end, I did what I felt best for my family, and I think my boys and I are all better for those decisions.”
- “My personal style would be described as ‘constantly over-dressed with a side of beach.’ My friends lovingly tease me about it. I don’t mind wearing a gown on the sand with no shoes. Kaftans are definitely my staple wardrobe piece. My love for kaftans began when I became a mom. The ease of a one-piece outfit works perfectly in almost all climates and outings.”
- Breegan in a few of her many signature Kenyan necklaces.
- “My boys absolutely have opinions about their personal style. As a mom who cares about the visual representation of pretty much everything, I found it much simpler to select one outfit I could put on both of them than two corresponding ensembles. It also helps me quickly identify them when we’re on a playground or other public areas. Right now, I dress them for important events and appointments, but I allow them to pick out what they wear to school. They both really like to be well-dressed and sometimes over-dressed. One of my boys is into gold, currently.”
- Matchy-matchy style for the win!
- “I’m working on a better one! I recently found FaceGym in Los Angeles that I’m trying. Tata Harper has some of my favorite skincare, including some lovely facial oils that I use regularly. But to be honest, this busy mom is just trying to faithfully wash her face twice a day!”
- “I truly prioritize self-care. I take time to get a beauty massage or go outside and take a walk. We do a lot of meditation in my house as well.”
- “Yes. Meditation is something that we practice often. It helps to center my kids and calm their energy."
- “We watch a lot of movies together because I do limit their screen time. It definitely gets them both to crawl over and cuddle with me, which I cherish as they’re growing up so fast. We also like to draw and do Lego activities together.”
- “Let the mom guilt go! We’ve all heard it for so long, and it isn’t a cliché. It’s hard to be a busy mom and give so much of yourself to your career and live up to irrational and impossible ‘mom perfection goals’ at the same time. My advice is to create your own goals and your own path. Do it your way. I knew my children would thrive if I provided an example for them of a woman who was strong, capable, and driven. Seeing mom go after her dreams and work hard doing it teaches them that women can do it all. That’s a lesson I certainly want them to learn.”
- “Family is the root of everything and the most important thing in the world. Our health is our wealth, and we should also realize that this includes our mental health. I also realize that even with everything that transpired in the past year, I never tired of chasing my dreams and my passions. I continued to be driven and to fight for the things that were important to me. I am energized by a heavy workload, and I really leaned into that part of myself, even when it seemed strange to others.”
- For more on Breegan, her boys, and her business, be sure to visit BreeganJane.com and follow @breeganjane on Instagram.
Share this story