Monday 14 February 2011

A SLICE OF MILLER DRIVE

I'm nearly finished with my tales of Los Angeles living.  Been rather slow posting, but if you've been away for a month, there's always a price to pay when you return to reality (ie. piles of mail to open and tax returns to fill in).

Anyway, the gorgeous house I was staying in while in LA is owned by two of the loveliest people you could meet.  Their home has a really restful, welcoming feel to it and I always enjoy staying there.  Tucked away in the hills as you wind your way up Miller Drive, compared to some of the huge homes that can be found in this area, this one is quite dinky, but that's exactly why I like it.  It has so much character and really has had it's fair share of Hollywood stardust sprinkled over it since it was built in the early part of the 20th century. Past owners include Brooke Hayward, actress and daughter of former agent turned film, television and stage producer Leyland Hayward and actress Margaret Sullavan.

Here's Brooke, painted by Andy Warhol around 1972.  She spent nearly 2 years updating the house and never actually moved in but instead sold it to Ferdinando Scarfiotti, art director and set designer for films like The Last Emperor (for which he got an Oscar), The Sheltering Sky, Last Tango in Paris, American Gigolo and Scarface.  I hear there were some really raucous Oscars parties there with quite an illustrious role call of guests.  Nowadays, it's a cool, calm oasis, tastefully decorated in a mix of relaxed modern and far eastern influences.


Here are a few snapshots....
Thank you Patty and Warren! x

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