Karen Elliott House, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, owns a distinctive 7,243-square-foot home in Simi Valley. The property blends thoughtful design with daily comfort, reflecting her style.
Karen Elliott House
Karen Elliott House established her career at The Wall Street Journal, serving as a foreign correspondent, publisher, and senior vice president at Dow Jones & Company. She received the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1984 for her coverage of the Middle East.
In 2012, House published ‘On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines—and Future,’ offering insights based on over 30 years of reporting on the kingdom. Her professional milestones are reflected in her home’s design.
She married Peter R. Kann, former Dow Jones CEO, creating a powerful media duo. Their backgrounds shaped their home’s design, with spaces built for hosting fellow journalists and political figures.
House applies the same attention to detail in her home as in her writing. Her experience covering global issues translates into architectural choices that balance grandeur with practicality.
Inside the House
This 7,243-square-foot Simi Valley estate features four bedrooms and six bathrooms. Positioned on a spacious lot, it offers privacy and scenic views of the surrounding California landscape.
Large windows throughout create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection – a hallmark of California living. The property balances private retreats with gathering spaces, accommodating both quiet reflection and social events.
The layout includes the main house, guest quarters, and multiple outdoor areas. This design allows the House to host family and guests comfortably, giving everyone personal space while maintaining connection through common areas.
High ceilings create an open atmosphere without sacrificing comfort, similar to how House’s journalism elevates everyday stories through thoughtful presentation.
Architectural Vision
Combining Mediterranean features with contemporary California design, the home achieves a balance between classic and modern aesthetics.
Architect James Martinez worked with House to realize her vision. Martinez incorporated her global experiences into the design: arched doorways echo Middle Eastern architecture, while clean lines reflect Western modernism.
Natural stone and stucco in colors that complement the Simi Valley setting help the home belong to rather than impose upon the landscape.
The house uses passive solar principles in its orientation and window placement, reducing energy use while flooding rooms with natural light, practical considerations matching the House’s pragmatic worldview.
Every material was chosen for both durability and beauty. From foundation to roof, each element reflects intentional design rather than passing trends.
Interior Highlights
Inside, the main living room centers around a limestone fireplace, with custom bookshelves housing volumes from House’s international assignments.
The kitchen balances function with elegance through professional appliances and custom cabinetry. A large island provides workspace while encouraging conversation, fitting for House’s reputation as both host and storyteller.
The master suite offers a personal retreat with panoramic property views. With a sitting area, custom closets, and a spa bathroom, this space combines luxury with comfort. Using natural materials makes the space calm and inviting.
A wood-paneled study serves as the House’s writing space, housing career memorabilia alongside a functional workspace. The design supports focus and creativity for her ongoing writing projects.
Guest rooms maintain the home’s aesthetic while featuring unique touches reflecting the region’s House has visited. From Moroccan textiles to Japanese minimalism, these rooms tell the story of a life exploring global cultures.
Outdoor and Entertainment Spaces
Outdoor living is enhanced by a covered loggia adjoining the kitchen and living areas, featuring an outdoor kitchen and dining space suited to California’s climate.
The rectangular pool complements the home’s architecture with clean lines. Surrounded by natural stone, this area balances luxury with landscape beauty.
Gardens feature native California plants alongside specimens from regions House covered as a reporter. These gardens need minimal water while providing year-round visual interest – a practical approach to landscaping.
A private courtyard with a fountain creates a peaceful spot for morning coffee or evening talks. The water sounds enhance relaxation while masking neighborhood noise.
A small vineyard produces limited wine each year, connecting the estate to California’s agricultural heritage while giving House a hands-on hobby beyond her professional work.
Location and Neighborhood
Simi Valley offers the perfect balance of privacy and access for the House’s lifestyle. About 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles, the area provides an escape from urban life while maintaining proximity to cultural and professional connections.
The community has excellent schools, supporting property values and community stability. Nearby hiking trails and nature preserves complement the House’s appreciation for both intellectual and physical activities.
The neighborhood consists mainly of other luxury estates, creating a community of accomplished professionals who value privacy. This environment lets House maintain a low profile when desired while engaging with neighbors when appropriate.
Simi Valley’s moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from 50-85°F year-round, creates ideal conditions for the home’s design features and outdoor living.
Renovation and Ownership History
The house was bought the property in 2003, seeing its potential despite needed updates. The original 1987 structure had good bones but dated elements that no longer worked for modern living.
The first major renovation in 2005 opened the floor plan and updated essential systems. Martinez worked with House to preserve architectural integrity while improving functionality.
A second renovation in 2012 coincided with House’s retirement from daily journalism. This update expanded the home office and created a dedicated writing space for her Saudi Arabia book, reflecting her evolution from reporter to author.
The most recent 2018 updates focused on sustainability, adding solar panels and improving water conservation systems. These changes align with California’s environmental priorities and the House’s commitment to responsible resource use.
Throughout these changes, House has maintained ownership, showing her long-term commitment to the property. Unlike many luxury homes that frequently change hands, this estate reflects continuous refinement under single ownership.
House Value Today
The median home price in Simi Valley is approximately $864,900. House’s estate, with its unique design and upkeep, is valued significantly higher, estimated between $4.2 and $4.8 million.
Real estate experts point to several value-boosting factors: the architect’s reputation, material quality, property size, and the provenance of a Pulitzer Prize-winning owner.
The property has never been publicly listed, reflecting House’s private nature and satisfaction with her home. This lack of sales history creates both challenges and opportunities for valuation experts, who must rely on comparable sales rather than direct history.
The home’s thoughtful upgrades have added value over time, aligning with market trends and enhancing its appeal, making the estate both a personal home and financial asset, matching the House’s practical approach to career and finances.
Current estimates value the property between $4.2-4.8 million – a significant return on House’s original investment and subsequent improvements.
What Makes This Home Special?
Unlike typical luxury homes that prioritize size over substance, House’s estate balances square footage with thoughtful design. Each space serves a purpose, avoiding the empty grandeur found in many similar-sized properties.
The home tells a personal story through its design and decor. From bookshelves with signed first editions to art collected during global assignments, the environment reflects a life of intellectual curiosity and professional achievement.
Technology is present but doesn’t take over the space. Smart systems control climate, security, and entertainment without dominating the aesthetic – technology serves the homeowner rather than defining the space.
Unlike many luxury estates with interchangeable design elements, House’s home maintains unique character through custom details. From hand-forged ironwork to commissioned art, these elements create an environment impossible to duplicate.
The property achieves harmony between luxury and livability – a balance many high-end homes fail to strike. This success stems from House’s clear vision and collaboration with professionals who understood her priorities.
Conclusion
Karen Elliott House’s Simi Valley estate reflects her professional journey, blending privacy, comfort, and global influences within a Californian setting.
For home buyers and designers, House’s approach offers valuable lessons: prioritize quality over quantity, incorporate personal history into design choices, and create spaces that serve your actual lifestyle rather than imagined ones.
The property’s evolution mirrors House’s journey from active journalist to author and thought leader. This parallel between career and home showcases how living spaces can grow alongside their owners.
Real estate professionals cite this property as an example of successful long-term luxury ownership. By making strategic improvements rather than following trends, House has maintained both personal satisfaction and financial value.
What makes this Simi Valley estate remarkable is its authenticity. In a market segment often defined by showmanship, House’s home stands as a testament to personal vision guided by professional expertise.
