Luxe Living

Billy Bob Thornton is downsizing!  According to public records, the aging actor sold his Beverly Hills estate on North Roxbury Drive on December 31, 2012 for $8,000,000. The estate, once shared with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, was massive – with nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 11,012 square feet.

Thorton’s new home officially became his on February 1, 2013, and is a more modest 2,818 square feet. Purchased for $2,700,000, the home has just five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Nestled in the Mandeville Canyon area of Brentwood, Thorton’s new home is a perfect Country Traditional that was seamlessly remodeled and expanded to create a two-story secluded retreat on a gated, flat lot. The living room has a fireplace, as does the open country dining/family room. Continuous French doors open to spectacular professionally-designed garden great room with a dry stacked stone fireplace, outdoor kitchen and salt water pool with solar heater.

Inside, a gourmet kitchen has stainless steel appliances, Carrera marble counters, walk-in pantry, and large eat-in banquette breakfast room. Downstairs, the home has four bedrooms, 2.75 bathrooms, and a maid’s suite off the kitchen.

Upstairs, Thorton’s master suite has an adjacent office/den/gym/nursery and private balcony.

This is quite the family-friendly estate for a man not always known as the most domestic man in Hollywood. Married and divorced five times, most notably to Angelina Jolie, Thorton has said that he believes marriage “doesn’t work” for him. Since 2003, Thornton has been in a relationship with makeup effects crew member Connie Angland, with whom he has a daughter, Bella.

Think Thorton and his family are slumming it in this newer, much smaller home? Not quite. The star still owns a home in Malibu that he paid $2,350,000 for in 2007.

Golf legend Fred Couples has a new clubhouse!  After years of residing in La Quinta, CA, Couples has purchased a stunning, Spanish Colonial revival home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. According to public records, Couples paid $4,557,000 on April 4, 2012 for a four-bedroom, four and a half bathroom, 5,661 square foot home.

The estate is set behind gates on picturesque South Carmelina Ave. Beautifully designed and crafted, the property features gorgeous gardens, beau detailing and top-notch finishes throughout. All spaces flow seamlessly together and to the outdoors for the ideal California lifestyle. Gas lanterns and a private courtyard entry way lead to the gracious foyer with a sweeping staircase, a step-down living room, formal dining room and inviting library. A fabulous cook’s kitchen and family room opens through French doors to the loggia, outdoor living room with fireplace, sparkling pool, spa and detached poolside guesthouse. The home was originally designed as a five-bedroom home with maid’s quarters, but it is currently being used as a three-bedroom with an oversized laundry room, upstairs family room and vast his & hers master closets.

In November 2011, Couples listed his 5,173 square-foot, four-bedroom, five-bathroom home in La Quinta for $4,195,000. That home is now off the market.

English actress Julia Ormond has just listed her rather romantic Brentwood home for $2,795,000. Deemed “extremely special,” the extensively remodeled 1928 Spanish home is filled with romance and charm in a beautiful tree-filled canyon setting in the flats of Brentwood. The home is situated on a quiet country lane, which is perhaps reminiscent of Ormand’s home in Surrey, England.

The property itself has great authenticity and detailing throughout, as well as an exceptional floor plan. Perfect for Los Angeles living, this home has wonderful indoor/outdoor lifestyle amenities and gorgeous gardens. A gated courtyard leads to large-scaled formal living room with fireplace, sun-filled formal dining room and a fabulous eat-in cook’s kitchen and adjacent family room with beamed ceiling.

Set amidst towering trees is a lovely patio with outdoor fireplace and yard. Inside, there are 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, including the master bedroom, which has a balcony, remodeled bath and fireplace. There is also an office, which opens to a large outdoor terrace that overlooks the canyon.

David Offer holds the listing.

Naomi Watts is on fire right now. Currently in Australia filming “The Grandmothers” with Robin Wright Penn, it was just announced that Naomi will play Princess Diana in the forthcoming biopic “Caught in Flight.” Humbled by the role, Watts said, ”it is such an honor to be able to play this iconic role. Princess Diana was loved across the world and I look forward to rising to the challenge of playing her on screen.”

When she’s not busy filming and gushing about landing covetable roles, Watts and longtime love Liev Shreiber find time to make major luxury real estate deals. The duo just picked up a $3.95M loft in NYC’s TriBeCa neighborhood. Their latest move is placing their Brentwood mansion on the rental market for $20,000 a month. The rumor around town is that Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom were the latest tenants. Orlando and Kerr own in Los Angeles, but it was reported that they fled their home for something more private after being the victims of the “Bling Ring” of thefts that swept Hollywood from 2008-2009.

If the rumors are true, Miranda, Orlando and baby Flynn must be on to something new, because Watts’ and Shreiber’s extraordinary fully furnished lease becomes available on March 1st. The home is a warm, ivy covered retreat reminiscent of a contemporary villa in Provence. Tucked away behind gates at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the Helenas, one of Brentwood’s most romantic and coveted locations, the estate has lovely views and a true resort-like feel.

Distinctive architecture, rich materials/detailing and great sense of space and light can be found throughout. A charming courtyard entry leads to a formal living room, dining room, media room/den and an open kitchen/family room with breakfast area. All the home’s important rooms open through French doors to patios, a trellis covered outdoor living room, grassy yard, pool and gorgeous gardens. A fabulous master suite features a separate office, soaring ceilings, remodeled bathroom, balcony and views. The property is rounded out by two additional bedrooms in the main home and a 2-story guesthouse and gym.

David Offer is the listing agent for this lease

Christine Lahti, who famously won the 1998 “Best Actress for a TV Drama” Golden Globe for Chicago Hope while she was in the ladies’ restroom, is selling her stunning Hampton’s-style Los Angeles mansion for $6,395,000. Lahti purchased the property in May 2002 for $5,225,000.

Blending casual charm with understated elegance, Lahti’s gated, 1/3+ acre home offers the utmost in privacy – a must for any Tinseltown type. The home is spacious and grand with 5 bedroom, a study, a full family room and an upstairs den that could easily be converted to 6th bedroom. Bright and airy, the home has lots of windows, french doors and verandas off most bedrooms.

For outdoor entertaining, the property features a cabana with fireplace and swimming pool. A bath and sauna is a lovely complement to the pool and lush lawn area. While sunshine abounds in Los Angeles, this particular home is on the sunny side of the street!