CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

This Just In: Meg Ryan Publicly Lists Her Bel-Air Home

casasugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:28:17 -0700

Meg Ryan has publicly listed her six-bedroom, seven-bath Bel-Air home for the tune of $19.5 million, according to Big Time. The property has been informally on the market as a "pocket listing" for some time, and has been shown to a slew of celebs including the Beckhams and Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, but the price was never right. The listing for the Holmby Hills-area Spanish-style compound reads:

Truly enchanting and romantic. A gated and private drive is the approach to this 1931 restored Spanish compound. Features include: double story stenciled beamed LR, a bar "a la" 1930's Los Angeles, Frml DR and superb Cook's kitchen; All rooms open to and overlook the 180o vu of the city. Incredibly pvt knoll setting with Pool and full GH. Family/Guest BRs have en suite baths & Mstr is separate and Exquisite! A Screening room w/separate entrance.

I'm dying to see the interior, but unfortunately there are no photos. The exterior is breathtaking though, and looks straight out of a scene from Under the Tuscan Sun (come on, you all know you loved it). Check out more exterior photos when you

This Just In: Tori Spelling Lists Her 90025 Digs

casasugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:00:53 -0700

Donna Martin . . . er . . . Tori Spelling has listed her 3,300-square-foot, five-bedroom, 3.5-bath Westwood, Los Angeles, home for nearly $2.4 million, according to the LA Times.The listing for the property reads:

Nestled in a charming pocket of Westwood, this home is ideal for entertaining featuring French doors off the main rooms that lead to lushly manicured yard w/ saltwater pool & spa. The property boasts a grand living room with designer fireplace, media room and formal dining room. Spacious family room opens to recently updated gourmet kitchen w/ imported marble counters & top-of-the-line appliances. State-of-the-art sound system throughout & security system featuring gated entry w/ remote access.

To hear more and see plenty of photos,

This Just In: Audrina Patridge Heads Back to the Hills

casasugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:30:51 -0700

Audrina Patridge has opted for greener pastures than the backyard guest house of Lauren Conrad's house in the Hollywood Flats, and purchased her own three-bedroom, 2.5-bath digs in the Hollywood Hills for $1.29 million. We all knew that she'd moved out of Conrad's digs, but finally I've got the deets. The listing for the property reads:

This new construction Spanish Villa has a spectacular view over looking the city! It has three bedrooms & two and a half baths, & a huge gourmet chef's kitchen. The kitchen features a separate convection oven, 6 burner gas stove, built-in microwave, wine refrigerator and side by side refrigerator, & a center island. The entertainer's patio is like a resort w/ built in BBQ, refrigerator.

I guess it's not a far cry from Conrad's Spanish-style villa, so Audrina should feel right at home! Check out these pics for the full tour:

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This Just In: Dane Cook Has a New Kitchen

casasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:00:05 -0700

Funny man/actor Dane Cook has purchased a 4,405-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home in Los Angeles for $7,078,412. The listing for the property reads:

Extraordinary modern oasis by Alessandro Munge-Munge/Leung Design Associates. Incredible secluded site with staggering views of the entire city, and all the way to the ocean. Extremely high quality materials such as Travertine Navona floors, Rift oak cabinetry, and African Namibia marble counter tops and bathrooms. Resort-style outdoor entertainment areas look out to a large flat grassy lawn and spectacular views.

I must say this is a pretty fabulous modern pad, with killer city views. Let's just hope Cook doesn't go wild on furniture shopping; that extra $12 on the sale price may have really set him back. But who needs furniture when you've got the girl?

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This Just In: Denise Richards Lists Her Shabby Chic Crib

casasugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Denise Richards has put her traditional 5,600-square-foot house in Hidden Hills, a luxury gated community in Los Angeles, on the market for $4.25 million, according to the LA Times. It has five bedrooms, including a master retreat with a sitting area. The property description lists:

Graceful foyer entry with sweeping staircase, gleaming wood floors, rustic stone floors, expansive living room with soaring ceilings and cast stone fireplace, great room accented by fireplace and library bookshelves, gourmet country kitchen with imported tiles and Carrera marble, state of the art stainless steel appliances, sun-filled breakfast room opens to kitchen, stately formal dining room features charming bay window and wainscotting, master retreat with comfortable sitting area, large walk-in closet, spa-like master bath with island tub and fireplace, five spacious bedrooms with private baths, inviting upstairs office, expansive grounds over an acre of mature landscaping and trees, [and] pebble textured pool and spa.

Richards has apparently listed the property for about $100,000 less than she paid for it — further evidence of this uncertain real estate market. If you're looking for a New England style "country" house in Los Angeles that's decked to the nines in shabby chic and leopard print toilets, then maybe this one's for you.

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This Just In: Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck Heart Holmby Hills

casasugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:52 -0700

Rumor has it that Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have been wooed "by developer John Bersci to purchase a freshly rehabbed house" in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles in the neighborhood of $22 million, according to Real Estalker. The 1930s Hollywood Georgian features "nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms including a 2,500 square foot master bedroom with a private sitting room, four fireplaces, sauna, a humongous terrace with outdoor fireplace and two tremendous bathrooms," as well as "a large motor court with a front facing three-car garage, a paneled library with hidden wine cellar, screening room, staff quarters, and a two bedroom guest house adjacent to the rectangular shaped cement pond." The property, which is currently listed at $27.5 million, hasn't yet been closed on, but time will soon tell whether the Garner-Afflecks will call the gorgeous digs home. Sounds like there would be lots of room for Violet and her future sibling to play!

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In the News: Revisiting a Modern Home

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:30:01 -0700

Los Angeles is known for its modern architecture and architects, with homes built by the likes of Ralph Rapson, John Lautner, and Pierre Koenig dotting the urban landscape. One such house, which was featured in the LA Times 50 years ago, has just resurfaced in that paper's pages. Dubbed the Times Home Magazine House, it was designed by architect Edward H. Fickett and the interior was designed by Arthur Elrod.

The Encino home, which was built as "a suburban house that embodied forward-thinking design," was, similar to the case study houses, meant to be affordable for a middle-class family. Half a century later, the house still manages to appear private, beautiful, and of the moment. Now owned by Warner Walcott and Jonn Coolidge, whose prior residence was also built by Fickett, the current inhabitants have brought their own sense of coolness to the house while maintaining the home's integrity and original intentions. They also have, as the LA Times article notes, complemented the home's style "with an art and furniture collection that's at once retro yet contemporary — and unmistakably California cool."

While I'm a bit too scattered and cluttered to ever make a modern home like this work to its full advantage, I do admire the "California cool" look of these homes. There's something soothing in their clean lines, placid pools, and deliberate blurring of indoor and outdoor spaces. To see the house in all of its splendid glory, check out the whole article.

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Coveted Crib: A Green and Modern Home

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:15:08 -0700

The Skyline Residence, which was designed by Belzberg Architects, was designed to be sustainable as well as economic. While definitely larger than life at 5,800 square feet, the house is indisputably gorgeous. Check out the slideshow for a look at the home, both inside and out. http://www.trendir.com/house-design/glamorous-ecofriendly-skyline.html

On the Market: Molly Sims Selling Her House of Style

casasugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Model and actress Molly Sims has listed her 3,043-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath 1930s Spanish house of style in Los Angeles for nearly $3 million, according to Real Estalker. The listing description of the property reads:

Stunningly remodeled 1930s Spanish with Hollywood flair. . . . Timeless enhancements to the already flowing layout. Newer kitchen with Carrara marble, Viking appl., SubZero and wine fridge. 3 true bedrooms with the opportunity for a 4th if needed. 3.5 baths. Antique French limestone FP in living room. Ebony saltillo tile floors. Outdoor living room with views of LA skyline. Huge pergola with dining for 10+. Ultra private rear yard with beautiful pool.

Sims paid $1.425 million for the property in 2003, and since then has had celeb-fave interior designer Kishani Perera of Fuse I.D. polish up the interior with an updated, yet cozy Hollywood-glam style. I once saw a tour of Sims's Hamptons pad on MTV Cribs, so I knew she had good taste. Equally sophisticated, her LA house follows suit, but is less beachy and nautical and more feminine and Hollywood regency. Check out the photos and tell me what you think!

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This Just In: Pete Wentz Bids His Bachelor Pad Adieu

casasugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:30:12 -0700

Pops-to-be Pete Wentz has put his 9,070-square-foot, two-bedroom, three-bath late mid-century home in the Hollywood Hills on the market for nearly $1.8 million, according to Big Time. The listing for the property reads:

Sweeping 180 degree views of the valley to the Hollywood sign. Secluded celebrity Hollywood Hills hide-a-way. Hollywood Hills late mid-century. Open, light and bright floor plan with fantastic architectural details, land, pool, spa and outdoor BBQ entertaining area. Amazing theater. Office could be a 3rd bedroom space!

Wentz purchased the home in May 2006 for $1.6 million. He is presumably listing it because he's moved into the Beverly Hills home of his wifey Ashlee Simpson, which she purchased in January 2007. I don't currently have photos of the interior of Wentz's home but will of course share them with you as soon as I do. To see photos of the home that Simpson purchased in 2007, check out the gallery below.

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In the News: Redefining an Architect's Legacy

casasugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:44 -0700

Many of us have seen architect John Lautner's modern, unusual work — we just didn't realize it. The bachelor pad that Charlie's Angels's villain Eric Knox inhabits is based on the design for the Chemosphere. This eight-sided home was built in the Hollywood Hills in 1960, and sits atop a 30-foot-tall concrete poll, which was Lautner's solution to building on the steeply pitched site.

A recent New York Times article, "Bonding Humanity and Landscape in a Perfect Circle," reviews a current exhibit on Lautner at LA's Hammer Museum. The exhibit attempts to remedy misunderstandings about Lautner's body of work, which some people interpret as space age-y and removed from the landscape. Instead, we discover through the exhibit an architect who possesses, according to the article, "a keen structural knowledge wedded to an environmental sensitivity — a seamless bond of nature, space and humankind."

While the Chemosphere may not be your cup of tea, it's undeniable that the building solution for this piece of property reflects Lautner's understanding of site-specific construction. My favorite Lautner home is probably the Mar Brisas House, which was built in 1973 in Acapulco, Mexico, and whose lines echo the beach and water below (seen in this photo).

To see some gorgeous images of Lautner's homes, and to find out how to visit one yourself,

This Just In: Johnny Knoxville Splits the Hills

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:30:38 -0700

Jackass Johnny Knoxville has listed his three-bedroom Mediterranean in the Hollywood Hills for $1.7 million, according to Big Time. The listing for the property reads:

Turn-key Hollywoodland Mediterranean Villa, Circa 1924, complete w/views, lush grassy yard/gardens & large pool! Enter this st-to-st property through gated courtyard setting, to frml entry w/views across Great Rm w/vaulted ceiling & arches. Large circular din rm, redone kit w/honed marble counters & ss appliances. Huge mstr w/fp, lux ‘Ann Sacks’ style bath w/steam shower. Media rm, 2nd bd + office/3rd bd each w/ensuite redone baths. Beautifully redone w/character & daylight.

Knoxville and his wife of 12 years are in the middle of a divorce, so that's likely the reason for the sale. The house is truly a gem, with great bones, 1920s character (much like Gwen Stefani's old digs), privacy, and lush landscaping. I cannot imagine why else he would put it on the market. Check out the gallery below to see what I mean.

There's more where these came from, so

On the Market: Kiefer Sutherland's Warehouse Loft and Recording Studio

casasugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:00:24 -0700

Are you in need of a place to have jam sessions and to lay your head? Well, you're in luck. Actor Kiefer Sutherland has put his 14,400-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 4-bath converted warehouse loft and recording studio in Silver Lake, Los Angeles on the market for $4.9 million, according to Big Time. The listing for the property reads:

Beautifully converted warehouse. This celebrity-owned, New York-styled loft has been done with quality and taste. It combines a 6,000-sq.-ft. living space while the rest of the building houses a state-of-the-art recording studio. It is unassuming from the street and beautifully dramatic upon entry. The residence has all rooms opening to each other, 25-ft. ceilings, polished-concrete floors warmed by radiant heat, fabulous cooks kitchen, and all a walk down the hall to the studio and offices.

Sutherland purchased the building in 2002 for $700,000, and converted its downstairs into a recording studio for his record label, Ironworks, and the upstairs into his own living quarters. It's a pretty cool space, and I love how its wild exterior mural keeps it understated from the street. If you happen to be a record exec, looking for a live/work space amongst LA's eclectic hipsters and creative class, look no further.

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This Just In: Matthew Perry Shops the Market

casasugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:00:30 -0700

Actor Matthew Perry recently purchased a humble 1,701-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bath home Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood for $883,000. The listing for the property reads:

This warm and inviting 3 bedroom home offers a great living room, elegant dining area, big kitchen with breakfast area and Italian tile floors. Inside laundry, hardwood throughout, spectacular yard with sparkling pool and grass.

If you remember correctly, Perry recently made a baller purchase of a modern Runyon Canyon manse for $4.5 million. So, this modest fixer-upper will clearly not be his primary residence. I am eager to see what he does with it, though. I'm thinking he should paint the exposed brick fireplace white, stain the hardwood floors a darker tone, ditch the mirrored closet doors and vertical blinds, and replace the kitchen cabinets (or paint them) and go for open shelving above. The pool area isn't in bad shape, though the brick wall could be removed, and some sculptural pieces, planters, and lounge chairs should be added. The front of the house could use some landscaping as well. What do you think?

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This Just In: Beck Wants a (Sea) Change

casasugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:00:30 -0700

According to Big Time, Beck and his wife Marissa Ribisi have put their 5,718 square-foot, 6-bedroom, 9-bath home in Hancock Park, Los Angeles on the market for a mere $9 million. The couple purchased the manse just about a year ago in June 2007 for $6.75 million. The property description reads:

On a beautifully manicured corner lot setting w/ huge mature trees, this handsome estate offers large scale public rooms. Large living room, library, formal din rm plus huge kit/fam rm measures 53' x 26' which serves as lifestyle center of the home. Grand master suite has his & hers baths & walk-in closets. Five family bedrooms w/ en suite baths. Professional recording studio and rehearsal room in guest house, grassy back yard, swim lane pool, privacy & security make this a rare find.

Although the house looks sophisticated, I must say it's kind of underwhelming; I don't see a stitch of color anywhere. The combined kitchen and family room could be great, but it doesn't look comfortable, inviting, or functional. Take a look at the photos and tell me what you think.

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This Just In: Katherine Heigl Lists Her Starter House

casasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:00:54 -0700

According to Real Estalker, Katherine Heigl has put her 2,369-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Los Feliz, LA home on the market for $1.75 million. Heigl purchased the home in April 2006 for $1.5 million, before she really became the talk of the town, and before she and Josh checked into their new home. The listing for the property reads:

Celebrity owned redone contemporary w/ open floor plan. Stunning walls of glass to view city from downtown to ocean. Professionally designed dream kitchen w/ SubZero, center island, and granite counter tops. Large master w/ French doors to city view balcony. Sensational master bath w/ huge stone steam shower. Many upgrades such as hardwood floors, dual zone a/c, recessed lights. Entertainers yard w/ room for pool.

The house is obviously staged, so the photos don't say much about her decorating style, but something tells me she has good taste.

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