Barbra Streisand's First California Home: The Mediterranean Villa
What makes a legend stand out? Sometimes it's another legend's home, as Barbra Streisand discovered when she rented Greta Garbo's former Beverly Hills residence while filming her breakout movies, Funny Girl and Hello, Dolly!. But it was love at first sight when she stumbled upon a two-story villa in Holmby Hills, a neighborhood that would become her first permanent home in California.
This Mediterranean-style mansion, built in 1929, wasn't exactly her dream aesthetic. "I don’t like Mediterranean architecture unless it's in the Mediterranean," she joked. Yet, there was undeniable charm in this gated 9,600-square-foot estate. It was a place where one could truly live in luxury without ever needing to leave. Outside, the nearly three-acre property boasted a sparkling pool and lush greenery, while inside, it featured five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a dining room complete with a fireplace, a library, a screening room, and a grand two-story living room.
Barbra's Design Philosophy: Art Nouveau and Personal Touches
Barbra didn't let the Mediterranean exterior define her home. Instead, she infused the interior with her passion for Art Nouveau, showcasing pieces by Frank Lloyd Wright and other American craftsmen. "I love decorating," she once said, and it showed in every corner of her home. Her unique style transformed the space into a sanctuary that reflected her artistic spirit, making it a place where she could truly unwind and express herself.
Read also:Bobby Bones Wins Dancing With The Stars Fans React Celebs Congratulate
Love and Land: Expanding Her Real Estate Empire
When love entered the picture, Barbra's real estate journey took a new turn. In 1974, she purchased land adjacent to her then-boyfriend, Jon Peters, in the serene Ramirez Canyon area of Malibu. This rustic property, affectionately dubbed "the ranch," became her next creative canvas. "I decorated that house with American folk art, old painted furniture, and Tiffany lamps," she wrote in her book My Passion for Design.
Her plans for expansion were ambitious but not without challenges. When a run-down tract house next door became available, she snapped it up to ensure privacy. Her vision was to transform it into an Art Deco masterpiece, but the process turned into a five-year odyssey. "By the time it was over, I never wanted to look at Art Deco again!" she quipped, highlighting her determination and sense of humor.
Exploring the Ranch: A Haven of Creativity and Charity
The ranch wasn't just a home; it was a hub of creativity and community. Barwood, a Craftsman bungalow, became her workspace for technical projects like Yentl. The Peach House, once a stable, transformed into a guest apartment and screening room. A three-bedroom barn added to the charm, and The Meadow became the site of her 1986 One Voice charity concert, where she built an amphitheater to bring people together for a cause close to her heart.
Though Barbra eventually donated the ranch to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1993, after her split with Jon Peters, it remained a cherished part of her life. "I love it here," she reflected, now 75, living in the Point Dume section of Malibu with her husband, James Brolin, 77. "You are very much in touch with the earth, with natural things. The thing that keeps me sane is living here." Her words reveal the deep connection she has with her surroundings, a testament to her enduring love for the land and its beauty.
