Closets as big as bedrooms, in-home IMAX theaters: We can’t get enough of checking out the goods that, to the rich and famous, are simply standard. To get the real inside scoop on celebrity real estate, we talked with Lisa Johnson Mandell, HGTV’s long-time West Coast correspondent and founder of AtHomeInHollywood.com. She’s sharing with us the biggest celeb home trends and taking us inside some very famous homes.
The Latest Home Theater Trends
Anyone who watched Cribs in the early 2000s knows that an in-house movie theater is a celebrity home staple, but Mandell says that recently, the trend is reaching an even more impressive level. “A home IMAX theater, which can cost up to $3 million, is most coveted,” she says. “Seth MacFarlane got the first IMAX ever installed in a private residence, and a number of directors are following suit so they can watch their own movies in the format they’ll be shown when they’re released.” Mandell says the reasons why IMAX theaters are crazy expensive is because they require stadium seating, a curved screen at least 12 feet tall and outrageous sound systems.
Mid-Century Modern Decorating
As far as decor, right now it’s all about MCM. Mandell says celebs go crazy for anything Jonathan Adler. Her tip for us civilians is to shop his JCPenney line, which is actually very trendy, even among the rich and famous. She tells us celebrities often attend MCM design shows in LA and Palm Springs to see the latest pieces. Celebs like Julie Bowen and Jenna Elfman have been known to host MCM design galas in the past. (Photo via @jonathanadler)
Airbnb, Celebrity Style
Since many celebrities often spend months away from home while filming a movie or on a music tour, some actually rent out their homes. Yep, you can stay in a celeb’s house — if you can afford it. “Many celebs like Jessica Alba, the Winklevoss twins, Sandra Bullock, Cindy Crawford and Joan Collins will rent out their houses by the month or year,” Mandell tells us. “Leonardo DiCaprio’s swank home in Palm Springs, formerly owned by Dinah Shore, can be rented by the night for $4,500, with a two-night minimum stay.” Interested? Head to 432 Hermosa for details. (Photo via 432 Hermosa)
How Celebs Flip Houses
Courtney Cox, Ellen Degeneres, Jeremy Renner, Corbin Bernsen and Cindy Crawford all love the flip, according to Mandell. Crawford bought a mansion earlier this year for $6 million and is now asking $15.5 million. “I think she’s set her expectations a little high because the rehab wasn’t all that extensive,” Mandell says. “Its chief asset is not beach views — they are very limited. It’s the beach access to a very private and exclusive beach that is so valuable.” Mandell tells us that Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber have a much larger house on the Enciinal Bluffs and just bought the extensive property next door, which they plan to renovate. They are also renting out their cottage on Broad Beach for $45,000. (Photo via Coldwell Banker)
The Most Expensive Home In Bel Air
Mandell tells us that one developer is building a $500 million spec home in Bel Air, which will be over 100,000 square feet. “I suspect the price is merely a publicity stunt,” she says. “Previously, the most expensive house on the market was $195 million, and I thought that was suspect as well.” This new, outrageously priced property is boasting four pools, 5,000 square feet for a master suite and a 30-car garage. You can check out all the details on Mandell’s site.
Of course, even when a 100,000 square foot home is not enough, there is also the prospect of buying your own island. Mandell says a Dutch company is building private islands in the Maldives, Dubai and Miami, and she expects even more to be sprouting up in other locations soon enough. (Photo via BloombergBusiness)
What home feature would you treat yourself to if money wasn’t an issue? Share in the comments.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.