At Home: Hilary Swank

It's been a few years since Hilary Swank made Academy Award history by becoming the youngest actor to win 2 Oscars.  I really like her, she seems like someone with substance...because I know her so well.  Anyhoo, her home is featured in the December issue of Elle Decor and I was interested to have a look.

There's something about this room I find very peaceful and I heart the greenery.

Image from Elle Decor

The kitchen's a bit too sensibly tidy for me.

Image from Elle Decor

I'm coveting those lamps.  Love.

Image from Elle Decor

A little nook.

Image from Elle Decor

Loving the mirror, photograph and floors.

Image from Elle Decor

What do you think?

Nicolex

At Home: Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi

While I was away a new issue of AD landed, this one featuring the new home of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi.  I'm sure it's well and truly done the rounds of Bloggington but as it's new to me you'll have to pardon the repeat.

Portia & Ellen sit in front of an Andy Warhol collaboration in their living room.

Image from AD

As summer draws closer here in the southern hemisphere, this beautiful pool is very enticing.

Image from AD

The fanciest ping pong table I've ever seen.

Image from AD

Love the wood storage either side of the fire.

Image from AD

The pair added a screened porch.

Image from AD

Currently being a little-bit-more-than-usual obsessed with shoes, I am loving this closet.

Image from AD

You can read more about their home over here.

Nicolex

Architectural Digest: September Issue

Well the September issue of AD has been out for a few days now so most of you will know that the personal retreat of Mr & Mrs Cool themselves is on the cover.

 Image from AD

Their adobe-style  home was designed by Stephen Samuelson.

 Image from AD

The living room and the view it rolls out into really does take your breath away.

Image from AD

The bedroom terrace.

Image from AD

The family gathers at the front of their home.

Image from AD

Obviously there are more pictures to pore over in the issue itself so grab yours and settle in.

Nicolex

At Home: Hank Azaria

The August issue of AD takes us inside the home of Hank Azaria and a big thank you to the ladies over at Casa Trez Chic for alerting me to the feature.  The Monteroy Colonial style home was built in 1932.

I love the custom made monster couches (how long are they!)  from Zimmer + Rohde in the living room.  

This is the room that sucked me in to the article, in particular, the chair.  I want it.

The carrara marble bench top on the island is probably my favourite feature in the kitchen.  I don't know if the rest if really works for me.

Hank's home office where he keeps his Emmys (do you spy them off in the background there?) Must confess though, I'm not crazy about plaid.

The checkered pattern on the Danish farm table in the play room is fabelagtig and I am sure I have seen that Enzo Mari apple print in other homes of the rich and famous (you know I'll be off on a hunt now don't you).

The master bedroom.



The master bathroom with Carolina Irving wallpaper.

An outdoor living room, so lovely.

The barn...

...it also displays celluloids featuring the characters Hank does the voices for in The Simpsons.  

All images from AD

Hank outside the front of his Bel Air home in California.

Image from AD

There's quite a few more photos and of course the full article over here if you want to see and read more.

Nicolex

At Home: Ali Wentworth

The other night while catching up on some blog reading I enjoyed Fabiana's living room quiz over at Ciao Newport Beach.  Of course I found a favourite which turned out to be from the Washington DC home of Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos.  Naturally I had to go searching for more photos of their home.

Now as previously confessed, I am not a lover of purple but something about this room really works for me.  I love the built-ins, the contrasting white mantle and of course the grey velvet sofa.  The cocktail table is a vintage army cot topped with glass and Ali used fabric dye to create the patterns on the wool rug (just thought you should know this as it's rather ingenious don't you think).

Image from here

I love how Moroccan pouffes work just as well in a sophisticated space as they do in a bohemian one.  If you love their look, you can pick them up here in Oz from Ada & Darcy and Table Tonic or from John Derian in the US.

Image from here

OK so I personally can't come at all the shells and coral but they are a collection Ali has been adding to since childhood, so I get it.

Image from here

Quite a masculine but very warm family room.  I love the wall panelling.

Image from here

The other end of the family room.

Image from here

There's a lot to love about this dining room - again the built-ins, the wall colour, another beautiful mantle (and is that a Juju hat I spy Louise), the chairs (!), the old table...

Image from here

The faux python console was found on eBay.  I seriously heart eBay!

Image from here

The chairs in the office are flea market finds.  I think sadly my obsessive personality would not cope with the stuffing falling out of one like that but I want the wall colour for my very own, it's Winter Solstice by Benjamin Moore.   Yet another great mantle adorns this room (that's 4 so far peeps).

Image from here

Love the bedside table and upholstered bench seat at the end of the bed here in the main bedroom.

Image from here

Ali and her daughter Harper in the living room.

Image from here

If like me you missed the original article you can see more pictures and read it here.

Nicolex

At Home: Katie Couric

Some of you may have already seen the Hamptons home of Katie Couric as featured in Hampton Cottages & Gardens last month.  If like me you haven't, take a look.  It's quite lovely.  For starters, what an unconventional colour.  Reminds me of this rather bold local statement found by Ashley over at Penguin Begets Penguins.

Though when you're looking back at the house from the pool and tennis courts, the colour looks far more traditional.

French doors in the living room open into a sun room and the backyard. 

Apparently blue and white is one of Katie's favourite colour combinations and it is splendidly shown off in a dining room that comfortably fits large groups of family and friends.  Though if it was my house, the seashell mirror would have to go.  Just sayin'.

A painting by local artist Walter Us hangs above an antique chest.

The master bedroom is painted in sea-foam blue which is rather perfect for the area don't you think.  I love the double bookcases on either side of the bed, imagine falling asleep being surrounded by books (and I don't mean the messy stack on my side table threatening to topple over me each night).  Oh, and FYI  the watercolour hanging above the bed is from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis auction.  I wonder where Jackie had it hanging?

A collection of bright bottles belonging to Katie's late husband Jay Monahan.

Given that occasional tables are my favourite piece of furniture I'm crazy about this antique drum that is doubling as a bar and table.  Love the flamboyant glasses that contrast with the sensible black leather and silver too.  Of course now I won't be able to rest until I also find an old drum to use as a table.

While the house itself needed very little work when Katie bought it, the outside was quite another story so for this she called on the expertise of her landscape architect sister Clara Couric Batchelor.

Her sister's plan for the property focused on outdoor living and relaxing.

An old picket fence and overgrown hydrangeas were removed to unveil an unobstructed view from the living room.

A sweet and simple statement.

All images from Hamptons Cottages & Gardens here

Pop over here if you'd like to read more about this project.

Nicolex