You Must Copy This 1 Tip From J Lo's Designer — It Costs Nothing!

Updated on 3/21/2015 at 3:05 PM

We got a peek inside Jennifer Lopez's Hidden Hills, CA, mansion when she put it on the market for $17 million earlier this year, and what we saw left us breathless. Not only was it supremely elegant, but it was also a perfect reflection of the entertainer herself: glamorous, feminine, and undeniably grand.

It turns out the similarities between the homeowner and home were no coincidence. Michelle Workman, Jennifer's longtime interior designer, recently revealed that she takes into consideration what clients like J Lo wear and how they live even more than what they tell her they want in their home! She says a home should reflect the people who live in it, and decorating to your personality is more likely to lead to long-term design satisfaction than decorating to a specific look or trend.

By the time Michelle decorated this 17,000-square-foot estate, she had worked with the singer twice before and knew her well. So when Jennifer said she wanted a white, lacquered, and glossy Dorothy Draper-esque look, Michelle knew to adapt the request to better suit Jennifer's distinct personality and lifestyle. She swapped harsh whites for soft grays with pops of pastel and brought in mirrored furniture and deco accent pieces. The final design was perfectly suited for the jet-setting celebrity, who needed a calming space to come home to.

Read on to see some of our favorite design highlights. Source: Getty / Jon Kopaloff, Sotheby's International Realty

Instead of going all white per Jennifer's request, Michelle softened the color palette with muted grays and pastels to create warmth, depth, and a calming atmosphere in which J Lo could unwind after long stretches on the road.

To capture the midcentury look Dorothy Draper was known for, Michelle swapped white lacquered furniture (great in some settings, but not a perfect fit for Jennifer) with glamorous mirrored furniture, like this bedroom set.

Michelle opted for pieces that combine deco and whimsy, like this bronze chandelier in the kitchen.

Because Michelle knew Jennifer's lifestyle so well, she was able to create a home with calm spaces, like this bathroom, that accommodate the busy entertainer's need to relax and unwind.

Statement lighting fixtures, like this rectangular glass chandelier in the dining room, give a nod to the midcentury decor of Dorothy Draper while aligning with Jennifer's personal style.