Today I’ve got a Real Estate Sampler of famous houses, from the English cottage where George Orwell wrote Animal Farm to Shirley Temple’s childhood bungalow, with some current celebrities’ houses in between. Click the links to see the listings below:
1. George Orwell’s Former Cottage in Hertfordshire
The listing says, “A two-bedroom cottage with a garden. George Orwell lived in the house from 1936-1940 and wrote Animal Farm here, drawing his inspiration from the village. The dining room was the author’s writing room and the sitting room with a stunning inglenook style fireplace was once the village shop and home to the village telephone.”
2. Dinah Shore’s Former Home in Palm Springs
A real estate birdie tells me that Leonardo DiCaprio (may have probably) bought this house. The listing says: “Designed by architect Donald Wexler for Dinah Shore in 1964, this legendary tennis estate defines timeless architecture. This multi leveled single story mansion includes walls of floor to ceiling glass which frames views of the verdant back yard and the magnificent mountains beyond.”
3. J.J. Abrams’ New Place in Pacific Palisades
J.J. Abrams, who has written, produced, and directed TV shows like Felicity and movies like Star Trek just bought this “Connecticut Traditional with city and ocean views in the Palisades Riviera.”
4. Tori Spelling’s Rental in Encino
I get a lot of questions about Tori Spelling and where she and her family are living now. They just downsized (yes, it was downsizing for them!) to this “Grand Tudor” that they’re renting with 6,600 square feet. It doesn’t look like her style to me at all, so I’d love to see how she decorates it. (Compare this to her former homes in Malibu and Encino that appeared on their reality TV shows and you’ll see what I mean.)
I loved watching old Shirley Temple movies when I was a kid. The Spanish-inspired bungalow she lived in when she was little went on the market in Santa Monica recently and sold within two weeks. I have a feeling it looked a lot different when her family owned it!
6. Dick Clark’s “Rock House” in Malibu
I told you about Dick Clark’s unusual house when it was originally listed in 2012 for $3.5 million. It never sold and was taken off the market, but it’s been re-listed for $2.995 million. The listing says: “An imaginative architectural creation nestled atop a promontory surrounded by nature on approx. 22.89 acres. The truly exceptional design of this home seamlessly marries form, function and nature.”
7. Lauren Conrad’s Laguna Beach House
The listing says, “On a private, quiet cul-de-sac only 2 doors from the ocean front bluff! This beautiful home has been totally remodeled. The floors are bleached walnut which adds to the warmth and charm.” You can see the new house she bought here (I like the exterior of that one better).
8. Bob Hope’s Estate in Palm Springs
The listing says: “Designed by John Lautner for Bob and Dolores Hope, the property has entertained dignitaries from all over the world and is viewed by many as one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in the world.” Hope’s more traditional Toluca Lake Estate sold last year (you can see it here).
Do you have a favorite? I’d love to see the Orwell cottage in person. Thanks to all of my real-estate spies who send me listings like these each week. Check my Celebrity Houses page to see the 10 Most Popular ones on my blog right now.
SteamboatsMyHome says
3.2.14 at 11:37 amSome awesome homes and not surprising given the celebrities that once owned them – or still do?? I’m always drawn to ones out of the ordinary. Dinah Shore’s might be my favorite. But Bob Hope’s home is surly spectacular. I have more respect for Dick Clark now.
But one thing that stands out for me was the poor quality of photos from those syndicated websites. Some blame might fall on the listing agent. That’s atrocious given the potential exposure and history of those homes.
hookedonhouses says
3.2.14 at 11:56 amThat’s why I always appreciate the photos in your listings, Charlie. Not everyone seems to understand the importance of clear, professional-quality photographs when it comes to selling houses!
SteamboatsMyHome says
3.2.14 at 2:18 pmI know realtors are sometimes cheap, but multi-million dollar listings with such unique stories, you’d think professional photographs is a given.
hookedonhouses says
3.2.14 at 2:20 pmAgreed!
Frances in England says
3.2.14 at 12:03 pmMy fave is the JJ Abrams one – could have a lot of fun decorating that one, and, you know, it is liveable with in the meantime (! LOL) – although I do really like the exterior of Lauren Conrad’s.also
hookedonhouses says
3.2.14 at 12:03 pmI agree — I liked his, too!
Doré .. BurlapLuxe says
3.2.14 at 12:36 pmBeautiful post. And find all the home interesting.
Love Lauren Conrad’s home.
Xx
Dore
Mary says
3.2.14 at 1:47 pmIs it just me, or did anyone else imagine Fred and Wilma Flintstone right at home in Dick Clark’s house?!
hookedonhouses says
3.2.14 at 2:18 pmI know, right? I thought the same thing!
Alayne says
3.2.14 at 3:59 pmOh, how I love the cottage in England – such charm and character! <3
Gur says
3.2.14 at 4:27 pmI was thinking Flintstones as well, with Bedrock in Malibu!
I love the kitchen in the Abrams house; it looks like a very nice, but very expensive, family home. The Dinah Shore property was featured on TV some time ago; it is a great MCM property, as is the landmark Hope home.
I’m thinking Zillow and others may be downgrading the resolution of the photos to preserve bandwdith; many of them look like they were professionally taken, but the resolution is so terrible the photos just look bad.
hookedonhouses says
3.2.14 at 4:55 pmThe resolution does look bad on some of them. Maybe that explains some of it!
House Crazy Sarah says
3.2.14 at 9:46 pmI love the George Orwell cottage! Such history!
Interesting about Tori Spelling’s new place…. she goes through houses faster than me!!
Dean says
3.2.14 at 11:45 pmLove Dinah Shore’s MCM. Amazing interiors (those wood ceilings are spectacular) and the views are equally impressive. Orwell’s is charming. I also thought about the Flintstones when I looked at Dick Clark’s. I could never live in a house like that or Bob Hope’s–his looks more like an amphitheater than a home to me.
Laura says
3.3.14 at 10:14 amInteresting collection. I’d go for Orwell’s cottage, or the Shirley Temple bungalow. All of those mid-century (or 70s) California houses leave me cold – or in the case of Dick Clark’s Bedrock digs, in stitches! Yikes!
hookedonhouses says
3.3.14 at 10:15 amNot very homey, are they? Ha.
Carolyn says
3.3.14 at 10:42 amWell of course I love George Orwell’s cottage, but a room 11’3″ x 6’8″ hardly counts as a bedroom – more like a nice closet. Shirley Temple’s house is my next favorite. I obviously go for the cottages – but the prices are crazy!
hookedonhouses says
3.3.14 at 10:51 amIn one of the first apartments I rented they called a tiny windowless room that was about that size as a second bedroom. I don’t think I could have even fit a twin mattress in it. Ha.
Carolyn says
3.3.14 at 7:39 pmHa! Funny the rooms that landlords will call bedrooms, but according to code, for houses at least, it can’t be called a bedroom (or used for sleeping) without a window that offers egress. I’m not sure about high rise apartments, though. I think generally in real estate a bedroom has to have a window and a closet to be called one, but that doesn’t stop some real estate agents or landlords!
Lisa says
3.3.14 at 12:15 pmI’ve been to Dick Clark’s cave house! I grew up in Ventura County and my dad is an electrician. He did electrical work for the septic system (woo hoo!) for the house when it was built back in the 80s. I was about 11 and he took me with him one day to see the super cool house. It wasn’t done yet and we got to walk through it while the other contractors were working. The windows and doors were funny shapes and I remember marveling it was a lot of work for a 1 bedroom house. 🙂
hookedonhouses says
3.3.14 at 12:18 pmNo kidding? How cool is that!
Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com says
3.3.14 at 3:59 pmWhat a precious cottage.
Dick Clark’s is my favorite. I secretly dream of living in a cave.
Wendy says
3.3.14 at 10:46 pmWell, of course if they were being given away I’d take the Orwell Cottage. You know, as a second home for when we visit England.
But seriously (or not), you’d have to really, really, really like beige to live in that Flintstones house!
I’ve never seen Bob Hope’s house before. I wouldn’t even put it in the top 25 most iconic houses in the world! But it was interesting to see. I couldn’t believe the money, though. Sheesh!
Alie B says
3.7.14 at 1:09 pmCool assortment of house eye candy! I love # 1, 5 and 7.