Luxe Living

Pop Goddess Cher has just listed her modest Venice, CA home for $1,899,500. Property records show that Cher purchased this home on May 13, 2010 for $1,542,500. Located in the heart of the seaside town of Venice and walking distance to the hip and happening Main street and Abbot Kinney area, the home has what most people look for – location, location, location! Totally remodeled, the 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 1,808 square-foot home has modern architecture with high ceilings, sliding glass walls and top-of-the-line finishes throughout.

The master suite comes complete with a fireplace and large walk-in closet. A Venice Beach ‘must-have,’ the home has a rooftop deck with built-in-barbeque, sink and refrigerator.

Overall, Cher’s Venice spread is sleek, contemporary and warm. These days, Cher has been making moves to downside her over-the-top life. In February, the Diva put her Hollywood condo on the market for $5.5 million. According to industry insiders, Cher still has her incredible cliff-top Malibu estate on the Pacific Coast Highway secretly on the market as a ‘pocket listing’ after failing to sell it for $41 million back in 2009.

David Zucker, famous in Hollywood for writing, directing, and producing iconic titles like “Airplane!,” “The Naked Gun,” and “Scary Movie,” is selling his sleek, stunning Venice canal home for $3,199,000. Zucker purchased the centrally-located home in April 2007 for $2,850,000.

Situated on the historic Venice Canals on a private corner lot, Zucker’s home is just blocks from the beach and the “coolest street in America,” Abbot Kinney Blvd.  The home is an exceptional light-filled, three-level Cape Cod-style beach house, built in 2002. Well appointed, with beautiful contemporary details, the house has an ideal floor plan, with 1 bedroom/bathroom on the main level and the master bedroom suite, plus two additional bedrooms upstairs. The master bedroom has a sitting area and fireplace, and the second level’s two spare guestrooms are connected by a balcony. On the third level is an enormous family room with large wet bar, full bathroom, and two more large decks–one perfect for outdoor dining and the other great for enjoying the sun with a hot tub, outdoor fireplace, and views of the Venice canals. There’s even a perfect outdoor dining and entertaining area off the living/family room that opens up to the canal walk.

The kitchen has stainless appliances with an open bar and eating area and a fireplace in the living room. The home’s floors are primarily reclaimed wood from a Virginia barn and bluestone slate.

David Kelmenson of Partners Trust Real Estate is the listing agent.

Rachel Ashwell, the famous interior designer and creator of well-loved Shabby Chic home decor brand has just purchased a brand new cottage home in the heart of Venice, CA. It’s more Chic than it is Shabby, with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and office and artist’s studio with walls of windows looking out onto a lush and colorful garden. Very true to the Shabby Chic brand, the home has an inviting white exterior and a white picket fence. The interior is bathed in pastels and features well-worn fixtures. No doubt Ashwell will take this tiny Venice treasure and bathe it in her signature home decor style of beautiful imperfection.

When it comes to her home style, Ashwell says, “my thoughts about decorating are that a home can be truly lived in and still be lovely. I believe in cozy relaxed settings where kids are free to put their feet on the sofa and guests can place their cups on the coffee table without a care. For me, the secret to living well is to surround myself with beautiful things that are practical and deliciously comfortable.”

Her new Venice cottage is just two blocks to Abbot Kinney, dubbed “the coolest block in America” by GQ magazine. This home is storied in the Venice area, as it’s been a stop on The Venice Garden Tour, The Venice Art Walk and even gained national recognition in numerous home decor and cottage magazines.

If you were concerned that Ashwell wouldn’t have enough rooms to decorate in this tiny cottage, never fear. She also owns another Los Angeles-area home. She purchased a 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,276 square foot home in October 2007 for $4.15M.

Not too Shabby.

Abbot Kinney has long been lauded as the epicenter of cool, and GQ magazine just made it official, naming the Venice neighborhood “The Coolest Block in America.”

Want to live and work in the middle of all things awesome? Look no further than the for-sale piece of property at 1511 Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Listed for the a very sophisticated price tag of $4,700,000, this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, half retail/commercial, half single-family home is as sleek and hip as the residents who roam the street outside.

The 5,060 structure was designed by noted firm Glen Irani Architects and it’s described as “the most extraordinary contemporary-style building on the street.” Clad in beautiful dark zinc, expansive heavy-glass and one-of-a-kind window wall system, the design aims to co-exist with dignity and permanence on a boulevard of century-old historical structures. Every detail exemplifies very high architectural and craft standards for which this architect is known. Specialty finishes include Italian hardwood floors, European fixtures and appliances, Italian mosaic tile, stone paving, architectural exposed steel and more. Perfect for Venice’s be achy vibe, the property features over 700 square feet of outdoor terraces and balconies.

While designed for both commercial and residential uses, the possibilities are endless for this outstanding property located on the hottest street in Los Angeles.