Mandy Moore and her husband Taylor Goldsmith have opened their restored Los Angeles home nearly a year after the devastating Eaton fire damaged it severely. The couple, along with their three children, have worked patiently for months on the restoration, now sharing a detailed tour with Architectural Digest that highlights their journey of rebuilding their cherished family home.
Since purchasing the 1931 Spanish Colonial Revival property in 2020, Moore and Goldsmith had planned an extensive renovation to create a dream sanctuary. The Eaton fire in January 2025 disrupted those plans, impacting their Altadena neighborhood and displacing thousands in the area.
Impact of the Eaton Fire on the Couple’s Home and Neighborhood
The Eaton fire, one in a series of destructive wildfires across Los Angeles, left over 80,000 people displaced and destroyed more than 1,000 structures, including parts of Moore and Goldsmith’s home. Though the main structure survived, the fire damaged the studio and garage, as well as all interior soft goods such as furniture, rugs, and clothing, forcing the family to relocate temporarily.
Taylor Goldsmith recalled visiting the home soon after the fire, describing the damage with stark clarity.
I came here the day, like a few hours after, the fire passed through this area,
he said.
The studio was on fire in the back, the garage was already burnt down. As the days went on, we realized our house made it.
The family spent nine months in a rental home during the restoration process, determined to rebuild what they had lost.
Connection to Community Fuels Determination to Rebuild
Moore explained how the Altadena community’s spirit deeply influenced their decision to restore their home instead of leaving. She shared,
I think what initially lured us to Altadena is the spirit of the community here,
adding,
Like overwhelmingly you just feel so proud to live here. And so proud to stake your claim here. Like we’re not leaving, we’re digging in deep. We’re rebuilding what we lost.
She became emotional recalling the kindness from a neighbor who had lost his home in the same fire.
We were… I don’t want to cry,
Moore admitted.
But our sweet neighbor said that if anyone’s house made it, he was glad it was ours, because we had been working on it for so long. The grace that somebody who just lost their entire life would have for their neighbor is just beyond. I think that speaks to what this community is.
Restoration Process Led by Top Designer and Architect
Partnering with designer Sarah Sherman Samuel and architect Emily Farnham, Moore and Goldsmith undertook a thoughtfully guided restoration to bring their vision of a warm, inviting family home to life. After months of effort, the couple and their children were able to move back into the home in September.
Moore described the atmosphere of their renewed residence as distinctly cozier and richer in character than before.
I feel like it’s very intentionally softer and warmer and richer, and more colorful and playful,
she shared, emphasizing that the new home feels less precious but in a way that better suits their family’s lifestyle.
Goldsmith noted their intention to create a space designed to grow with their family over time.
We wanted this house to be more of a family home than our previous home,
he said,
We knew we were coming into this one with children — we didn’t know how many at the time, but turns out it was three.
Thoughtful Design Choices in Interior Spaces
The couple retained much of the original layout in their living room but introduced new furniture to replace items lost in the fire, including lounge chairs and sofa fabrics. One standout feature of the restored home is the cozy screening room, which also serves as the family’s library. Goldsmith considers this space his sanctuary, housing a collection of prized first-edition books in built-in shelves, while also functioning as a place where the family enjoys movies together on comfortable green lounge chairs.
Moore pointed out her children’s enthusiasm for the newly built bunk beds in their shared room, a highlight after returning from months away.
The fires happened, and we were out of the house for nine months,
she explained.
So when we moved back in, we had these incredible bunks built in. The boys love it. It made coming back to the house even more exciting for them.
Outdoor Improvements Preserve Untouched Areas
Originally, the Spanish Colonial Revival house lacked a pool, which was a feature they decided to add during restoration. The newly installed pool includes a long, wraparound step and an outdoor shower. Moore noted that while much of their backyard was affected by the fire, this area largely remained intact.
Everything we lost in the fire was primarily back here,
she said.
This part of the yard was primarily untouched, thank goodness. The pool, she remained intact.
The Significance of This Restoration Journey
The revitalization of Mandy Moore’s home symbolizes resilience and hope amid the destruction brought by wildfires in Southern California. Their painstaking efforts to restore not just the structure but a place of family warmth underscore the importance of community and continuity. Moore and Goldsmith’s story offers an inspiring example of coming back stronger after adversity, while anchoring their lives firmly within their chosen neighborhood of Altadena.
As wildfires continue to threaten areas across the region, this restoration also highlights the challenges faced by homeowners and the emotional significance of preserving a safe, nurturing home environment for future generations.
