It's Sunday and today RARE vintage and I have left the grey ice encrusted streets and sidewalks of Manhattan for a villa with a view...
I would literally pack my bags tonight, leave all behind or, really more like it, take all with me, because obviously closet space would not be an issue, to live in this house - well, not just a house, more of a villa with a view (that reminds me so much of the Villa Ephrussi-Rothschild in St Jean Cap-Ferrat).
I would literally pack my bags tonight, leave all behind or, really more like it, take all with me, because obviously closet space would not be an issue, to live in this house - well, not just a house, more of a villa with a view (that reminds me so much of the Villa Ephrussi-Rothschild in St Jean Cap-Ferrat).
The Villa Leon was built in 1926 by Leon Kauffman as a promise to his wife, Clemence, that if they ever hit the big time, he would build his wife a dream house by the sea. And Leon did in fact strike it rich during the First World War with a wool processing plant in California. Nearly all 35 rooms (you see, enough closet space for even a husband : ) have ocean views and, if not an ocean view, then a view of the mountains. It was cozily grand with 35 foot ceilings, a sweeping staircase and terraced gardens. Poor Clemence only lived in her dream home for a few years, dying in 1933 and Leon following her shortly afterwards. Villa Leon sat empty for 20 years with only a caretaker and his dog roaming its vast emptiness.
It sold at auction in the 1950s for $71,000 and has been maintained, remarkably, since then with its original craftsmanship intact. Sadly, the terraced gardens have slid down from that great villa in the sky to the Pacific Coast Highway, but with that view, I could just plant some bougainvillea in a pot and be quite content.
Honey, I'm home...
Oh, just pull up to the the front door... the seven car garage is around back...
Don't let the kids slide down the staircase...
Does it even need a pot of bougainvillea?
Perfect for a rainy day, with a roaring fire and a good book...
Wishing you sweet dreams...
And Villa Leon back in the day...
love, kisses and vintage, Juliana
It sold at auction in the 1950s for $71,000 and has been maintained, remarkably, since then with its original craftsmanship intact. Sadly, the terraced gardens have slid down from that great villa in the sky to the Pacific Coast Highway, but with that view, I could just plant some bougainvillea in a pot and be quite content.
Honey, I'm home...
Don't let the kids slide down the staircase...
Does it even need a pot of bougainvillea?
Carson, we will have drinks in the ballroom I think tonight...
Perfect for a rainy day, with a roaring fire and a good book...
Wishing you sweet dreams...
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| Villa Leon on the bluffs of Castellammare in the Pacific Palisades. Photos from Randy Freeman Real Estate. |
And Villa Leon back in the day...
love, kisses and vintage, Juliana
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