Historic Greystone Estate

<p>Hello dear readers! I'm back from my trip to Paris which was wonderful. I'd like to thank my daughter and hubby (and my other kids who stayed behind and let me go) for such a lovely holiday.</p><p>I'd also like to thank all of you for your patience as I haven't posted for a whole week, but I'll make it up to you starting right now.</p><p>Veranda presented its third show house at the Greystone estate with 28 of the country's top designers who participated in the event to benefit restoration of the English-gothic revival 1920s manor in Beverly Hills.<br /></p><p>It has been seen on the silver screen many times: Jack Nicholson in its grand living room in <i>The Witches of Eastwick</i>; Jude Law and Cameron Diaz in the comedy <i>The Holiday</i>; and the house's bowling alley appeared in <i>There Will Be Blood</i>, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Greystone played a role in <i>The Bodyguard, Death Becomes Her, What Women Want</i> and two of the <i>Spider-Man </i>movies. The mansion has also provided settings for Jerry Lewis 1964 comedy <i>The Disorderly Orderly, </i>television's <span style="font-style: italic;">Entourage</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Gilmore Girls</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">General Hospital</span> as well as for Elton John's music video <span style="font-style: italic;">I Want Love</span>, featuring Robert Downey Jr. <i></i></p><p>Greystone has also been a destination for many celebrated visitors. Bill Clinton enjoyed the mansion during a political fund-raiser hosted there by the director Steven Spielberg in 2000 and another in 1999, which featured the singer Andrea Bocelli. Barack Obama held a campaign fund-raiser there with singer Barbra Streisand, and veteran actor Kirk Douglas renewed his vows with Anne, his wife of half a century, on the grounds of the historic landmark. Actor James Woods, along with many others, tied the knot at the estate as well.</p> <p>Standing on a 429-acre estate this fifty-five room baronial castle is the largest family estate ever built in Beverly Hills, above Sunset Boulevard. It was a gift from oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny to his son and daughter-in-law. London-born American architect Gordon Kaufmann designed the mansion in the English-Gothic Revival style.</p> <p>Located at 905 Loma Vista Drive in Beverly Hills, the mansion is not open to the public, but visitors can tour the grounds.<br /></p> <p>Interior designers scoured Europe for eighteenth-century antiques, marble fireplaces and interior furnishings to fill many of the rooms and complement the outstanding features — high ceilings, parquet floors, stone archways and, in some cases, floor-to-ceiling leaded-glass windows. </p><p>Let's take the tour.<br /></p><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/gs/estates-greystone-great-house-2-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Indiana limestone for the facades and Welsh grey slate for the roof.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/xy/estates-greystone-great-house-1-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br />Italian-style allée with cypress trees.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/ix/estates-greystone-great-house-3-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Large reflecting pool.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/nR/estates-greystone-great-house-4-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />A polished concrete table anchors the grand entry, and a pair of palms in 1950s slag pots flanks the doorway. Chinese chairs on one side of the pillars balance ferns in urns on the other side.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/5t/estates-greystone-great-house-5-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br />Black and white Carrara marble for the main hall's checkerboard flooring, arched doorways in hallway decorated by Jack Fhillips.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/13/estates-greystone-great-house-6-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br />Salle de Réception designed by Waldo Fernandez. Grand Palladian windows and polished marble floors.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/cO/estates-greystone-great-house-7-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />A bold painting and a capricious cluster of sheep add elements of surprise to the Salle de Réception.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/ZI/estates-greystone-great-house-8-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Jack Fhillips' designed the Grand Ballroom.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/LW/estates-greystone-great-house-9-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px; width: 499px; height: 665px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/da/estates-greystone-great-house-10-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px; width: 500px; height: 666px;" /><br />California designers Richard Hallberg and Barbara Wiseley decorated the Solarium.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/G2/estates-greystone-great-house-11-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px; width: 500px; height: 666px;" /><br />An eighteenth-century faience lion presides over an antique French limestone console.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/0Y/estates-greystone-great-house-12-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br />Morning Room also designed by Richard Hallberg and Barbara Wiseley.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Fi/estates-greystone-great-house-13-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Anchored by four polychromed cabinets, the room is reminiscent of a European breakfast room, set with eighteenth-century French porcelain, antique and new silver and gleaming crystal.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/SJ/estates-greystone-great-house-14-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br />Richard Shapiro decorated the Drawing Room with a mix of antique furnishings and museum-quality art, including an antique Italian torso. On opposing walls, a contemporary photograph counterbalances a hard-edge tondo.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/FX/estates-greystone-great-house-15-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/vQ/estates-greystone-great-house-16-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Greystone's Library decorated by Rose Tarlow and David Phoenix with antiques and overstuffed seating in a monochromatic palette.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/yy/estates-greystone-great-house-17-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/4P/estates-greystone-great-house-18-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />The feminine Garden Retreat designed by Suzanne Rheinstein. Porcelain botanicals line the window that overlooks the rose garden. Garden books, a writing desk for sketching plantings and images of oversize roses by photographer Jim McHugh.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Z9/estates-greystone-great-house-19-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/rL/estates-greystone-great-house-20-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Eclectic style Salon de Thé by Ames Ingham.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/dX/estates-greystone-great-house-21-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Salon d'Art designed by Katie Leede-McGloin.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/tr/estates-greystone-great-house-24-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />A palette of blue and beige in the Family Room decorated by Nathan Turner.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/BX/estates-greystone-great-house-25-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/uX/estates-greystone-great-house-26-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Martyn Lawrence Bullard transforms what was once a gunroom into a Cabinet de Curiosité with treasures collected from the Grand Tour of Europe and the East.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/AD/estates-greystone-great-house-27-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Yo/estates-greystone-great-house-30-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Designer James Lumsden decorated the Gentleman's Atelier.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/H8/estates-greystone-great-house-32-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Mary McDonald designed the Lady's Bedroom.<br /><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/gp/estates-greystone-great-house-33-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /></p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Rm/estates-greystone-great-house-34-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br /></p><p>The Guest Room was designed by Elizabeth Dinkel</p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/2p/estates-greystone-great-house-35-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /></p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/6t/estates-greystone-great-house-38-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br /></p><p>Master Bedroom by Windsor Smith.<br /></p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/S1/estates-greystone-great-house-39-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/wb/estates-greystone-great-house-40-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/RR/estates-greystone-great-house-41-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br />Hot pink in the Master Bath adjoining the Master Bedroom and Dressing Room.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/5N/estates-greystone-great-house-42-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />Michelle Nussbaumer designed the Master Suite Hall.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/0V/estates-greystone-great-house-44-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br /><p>Kathryn Ireland's design of His Guest Room.<br /></p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/vu/estates-greystone-great-house-45-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /></p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/H2/estates-greystone-great-house-46-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /></p><p>Family Kitchen by the Veranda Editors.</p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/8c/estates-greystone-great-house-47-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /></p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/nV/estates-greystone-great-house-48-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><p>Designer Ann Getty decorated the East Foyer.</p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/81/estates-greystone-great-house-49-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /></p><p>The Writing Room by designer Andrew Virtue Kravet.<br /></p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/sC/estates-greystone-great-house-50-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br /></p><p>The Petit Salon.</p> <img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/pa/estates-greystone-great-house-51-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br />Tower Gallery by Tim Clarke.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/WP/estates-greystone-great-house-52-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />The Recreation Wing by Tim Clarke.<br /><br /><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/H6/estates-greystone-great-house-54-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /><br />The Guest Terrace designed by Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat, its furnishings include iron seating, a zinc-top dining table and wicker dining chairs.<br /><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/8P/estates-greystone-great-house-55-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /></p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/DG/estates-greystone-great-house-57-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /></p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/GT/estates-greystone-great-house-59-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -75px; left: 36.5px;" /><br /></p><p>English boxwoods thrive in Phoenician Stone's Fontana di Campagnia, and dwarf Italian cypress trees stand tall in Authentic Provence's citrus boxes, first fashioned in seventeenth-century France and made of oak with cast iron posts today. (By the way, identical boxes are used as trash bins in the gardens of the Versailles Palace which I had the pleasure of visiting last week). </p><p><img id="fb_image" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/eQ/estates-greystone-great-house-56-0309_LG.jpg" style="top: -12.5px; left: -26px;" /></p> <p>Greystone's Reflecting Pool. Inspired by classical gardens of France and Italy, the landscaping by Burks Hamner marries classic architecture with potted olive trees and formal hedges.</p>Lots of rooms, lots of different styles, I hope you enjoyed this tour.<br /><br />All images and information (and believe it or not, even <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> pics) right <a href="http://www.veranda.com/room-decorating/great-house-greystone-estate">here</a>.

Historic Greystone Estate

Hello dear readers! I'm back from my trip to Paris which was wonderful. I'd like to thank my daughter and hubby (and my other kids w...

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White on White Summer House

Hello dears! After a seven hour delay at Rio's airport we finally arrived in Paris yesterday afternoon. So, yay! Here I am in Paris, in Spring with my daughter and hubby, I am so happy!<br /><br />I have a while before we go out so there's time enough to show you this lovely summer house. A feast to us white lovers, but to those who are not too keen on white bear with me because they are truly wonderful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss11.jpg" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss11.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 650px; height: 532px;" /></a><br />Blooms in the perennial garden peek through a white picket fence along the side and back of the 100-year-old shingled house.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss1.jpg" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss1.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 651px; height: 526px;" /></a><br />A graceful arch frames the view of the sitting room as seen from the entry. A pair of new, extra-comfy lounge chairs focus on the fireplace studded with shore stones.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss2.jpg" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss2.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 650px; height: 539px;" /></a><br />At the far end of the living room, this atmospheric bay window is fitted with built-in seats and furnished with a table and chairs used primarily for game-playing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss3.jpg" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss3.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 650px; height: 527px;" /></a><br /><span class="bodyLinks">White on white and very pale blues. I guess I'd have to have everything slip-covered before I let my family walk into this room!<br /><br /></span><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss4.jpg" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss4.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 650px; height: 528px;" /><br />Open to the dining room, the kitchen looks larger than it really is. A peninsula is used for both prep work and serving snacks<br /><br /><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss5.jpg" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss5.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 650px; height: 528px;" /><br /><br />With its ocean views, the kitchen eating area provides the utmost in waterfront dining. An old ship lantern is now a chandelier.<br /><br /><br /><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss7.jpg" height="554" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss7.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in;" width="449" /><br />The girls’ bathroom continues the yellow and white of the bedroom. Built-in ledges hold toiletries.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss6.jpg" src="http://www.traditionalhome.com/images/img_easybreezylg_ss6.jpg" style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 650px; height: 522px;" /></a><br /><br />Sunny and cheerful, this is the girls’ bedroom. Spindle beds were found at a flea market; all other furnishings came with the house.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home</a>.<br /><br />I'd like to thank all of you who left your kind comments yesterday. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible!

White on White Summer House

Hello dears! After a seven hour delay at Rio's airport we finally arrived in Paris yesterday afternoon. So, yay! Here I am in Paris, in ...

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Paris

Good morning to everyone. I'm off to Paris in a couple of hours! Hubby and I will be visiting our daughter who is studying and living there. Sorry I won't be posting today as I still have a some things to do.<br /><br />While I was packing I remembered an article in the New York Times featuring a flight attendant who demonstrated how to pack enough for a 10-day trip into a single standard carry-on. For those of us who don't like waiting for luggage at the carousel this is definitely a must read! Get these packing secrets right <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/06/business/businessspecial/20100506-pack-ss.html">here</a>.<br /><br />I will try to post every day as usual while I'm away but if I can't make it I apologize and hope you understand.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://www.esiweb.org/rumeliobserver/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/paris.jpg" src="http://www.esiweb.org/rumeliobserver/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/paris.jpg" /><br /><br />Paris... here I come!<br /></div>

Paris

Good morning to everyone. I'm off to Paris in a couple of hours! Hubby and I will be visiting our daughter who is studying and living th...

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