Ashton Kutcher's Iowa Roots Shine Through in His 'Old Barn' Home
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis spent five years building a Los Angeles home that defies Hollywood excess, and the result reflects the Iowa values Kutcher grew up with. The couple's property, called KuKu Farms, sits on six acres and was designed to look like an old barn converted into a modern family home.
The couple told Architectural Digest they wanted a place that felt lived-in and grounded, not another flashy celebrity mansion. Kutcher, who was born in Cedar Rapids and raised in Homestead, Iowa, put it simply: they wanted the house to look like it had been on the hillside for decades before being converted into a home.
Why Kutcher and Kunis Chose a Minimalist Barn Design
Most celebrity homes in the Hollywood Hills are designed to grab attention. Kutcher and Kunis went the opposite direction. Kunis said they wanted a home, not an estate, and the project began while she was pregnant with their first child.
The couple created separate Pinterest boards to compare design ideas. When they discovered that 90 percent of their shared images pointed to architect Howard Backen's work, they hired him. Designer Vicky Charles joined the project, and together they built a main house, an entertainment barn, a barbecue pavilion, and a pool using reclaimed timber and board-formed concrete.
Practical Features Reflect Iowa Values
The home is not just styled like a barn, it functions with the same self-sufficiency that defines rural Iowa life. The couple dug a well to irrigate the property, planted and harvested corn during the pandemic, and installed solar panels that generate more energy than the house consumes.
Kutcher, who has often spoken about his Iowa upbringing, and Kunis, who was born in Ukraine, both carried a respect for land and weather into the design. The structures sit carefully on the hill so views open between buildings rather than being blocked by them.
A Chandelier Gets a Barn of Its Own
One of the more memorable design decisions involved a ten-foot crystal chandelier from their previous house. The couple found it too flashy for their tastes, so they came up with a simple solution: they built a barn around it.
The chandelier now hangs in the entertainment barn, where Kunis says it takes the piss out of the property. A pair of silver throne chairs Kutcher commissioned in India ended up in the primary bathroom. Designer Vicky Charles kept the rest of the interiors cleaner and more contemporary so the statement pieces stand out without dominating.
Design Built for Family Life
Kutcher has spoken about needing order in his surroundings to settle his mind. When we're in our home, the world just makes sense, he said. The open living and dining spaces, the study off the primary bedroom, and guest rooms that look across the barn all reflect that need for calm.
The couple raised their two children in the house, and the design accommodates family life throughout. Bunk beds appear in one guest room. Courtyards and aligned sight lines make the six acres feel connected rather than sprawling.
What This Says About Kutcher's Iowa Connection
For Iowa readers, the home's design philosophy echoes the practical, no-nonsense approach that defines the state's culture. Kutcher has never hidden his roots. He graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids and briefly attended the University of Iowa before his modeling and acting career took off.
The home's emphasis on self-sufficiency, reclaimed materials, and family-focused spaces aligns with the values many Iowans hold dear. It is a reminder that even in the heart of Hollywood, the influence of the Heartland can shape how a family chooses to live.
The house does not try to be the most expensive or the most photographed property in Los Angeles. It tries to be the place where Kutcher and Kunis can close the door and feel like themselves.