Jesse Metcalfe Moving On...Again.

SELLER: Jesse Metcalf
LOCATION: Beverly Hills, CA
PRICE: $2,200,000
SIZE: 2,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Life in Tinseltown can be tough for young and swarthy beau hunks like Jesse Metcalfe whose gay porn-star style pulchritudinous is probably held in higher esteem than his slim acting chops. One day you're a young, hot and sexy baller on a hit show plagued by hysterical fans and marauding paparazzi and in the blink of an eye you're out hustling the highways and bi-ways of Hollywood trying to scare up a paycheck.

Mister Metcalfe, now in his mid-30s, shot to fame and semi-fortune in the late 1990s and early 2000s when he played Latin teenage Lothario Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald on the erstwhile Passions, hands down the craziest soap story to ever find its way to airwaves. He left daytime tee-vee in 2004 for nighttime tee-vee's smash hit show Desperate Housewives.

He left the show in 2007, just about the time the show really jumped the shark and just before he landed in rehab for alcohol-related issues. (Mister Metcalfe returned for a few reappearances on the show in 2009.) Since then, according to his resume on the Internet Movie Data Base, the pectaculicious actor has worked very little and mostly on tee-vee and movie projects that Your Mama ain't never heard of such as the as yet unreleased horror film The Tortured. His most recent gig is on NBC's Jerry Bruckheimer-produced program Chase–which we've never heard of either–on which he plays some sort of lawman who hunts down fugitives or some such thing. The fate of the show seems uncertain since the network cut its episode order from 22 to 18 in December 2010 and TV By The Numbers predicts the show will be officially canceled by May 2011. This means, of course, that Mister Metcalfe may soon be in need of a job and out shaking his money maker for casting agents.

Property records and previous reports show that Mister Metcalfe scooped up his house in the Bev Hills Post Office in November of 2007. He paid $2,200,000 for the Mediterranean-style house, which the eagle-eyed children may have already noted is the exact same price he and his real estate ladee listed the property this week. That means, of course, even with a full price sale and Mister Metcalfe is headed for a financial ba-donkadonk to his bank account. Current listing information shows the house was built in 1999, measures about 2,000 square feet and includes 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and a detached guest cottage accessible by a private road.

The driveway in front of the 2-car attached garage was given some extra-special attention and features an inlaid star pattern, a detail so uncomfortably ironic and sad it makes Your Mama's teeth hurt. A stone stairway climbs to the front door that opens into a small vestibule where an arched doorway leads into the living room that features a stone fireplace, a bank of French doors, hardwood floors and a vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams. Mister Metcalfe made a perfectly lovely decision with the (antique looking) Persian rug and the grand piano is a hulking but acceptable addition to the room since Mister Metcalfe actually knows how to tinkle the ivories. The carved wood coffee table, the dirty-looking bone colored leather sofa and the artwork stuck up on the wall above the archway to the foyer are all, however, serious decorative infractions.

In the dining room Mister Metcalfe has hung a trio of taxidermy animal heads. While we're utterly mortified by this particular and manly motif–we prefer the animals in our house be alive–it should come as no surprise to anyone who learns that Mister Metcalfe grew up with and likes guns. In fact, he recently revealed he owns two guns, a Sig Sauer and an HK, whatever those are. All nine of you over-interested screaming mimi super-fans who think it might be fun to doorbell ditch Mister Metcalfe because you think he's so "hawt" ought to keep in mind that he just might answer the door in his boxers holding a firearm. Iffin he does and one of you moe-rons get hurt, well it's your own damn fault for giving in to the foolish notion that you're going to just go knock on some Hollywood heart throb's door like it's a cute thing to do. Get a grip people. It's not.

Anyhoo, moving along, the well-equipped kitchen, which sort of has a Tuscan farmhouse sort of thing going on, does not appear to have been renovated since Mister Metcalfe acquired the residence. The back of the house wraps around a verdant courtyard with flagstone patio, stacked stone walls, a cascading wall of water and built-in barbecue center. The hillside climbs steeply behind the house and stairs wind up the to a secluded spa that, let's be honest puppies, is just begging to have adult movie made in it. A bit further up the hill is the aforementioned detached guest house. While there are few things Your Mama adores more than a guest house, it would be an evil punishment to ask house guests to climb the hill behind this house. It's a good thing than that a private road snakes up behind the house that allows guests to exit the front door and drive around the block to the guest house without having to suffer a heart attack huffin' and puffin' their fat asses up the hillside.

Mister Metcalfe seems to have some real estate itchy feet and has owned at least three houses in Los Angeles over the last 6 or 7 years. Previous to living up in the 90210 Post Office Mister Metcalfe owned a 5 bedroom and 5 pooper house in the Beachwood Canyon area that he bought in September 2004 for $1,075,000 and sold in January of 2008 for $1,495,000. Prior to that residence Mister Metcalfe briefly owned a 2 bedroom and 2 pooper house up the perilously serpentine Sunset Plaza Drive above the Sunset Strip that records show he bought in January 2006 for $1,275,000 and flipped in August of the same year for $1,595,000 to Topher Grace, an actor best known for his role on That '70s Show.

Where oh where will Mister Metcalfe move next? If we were having a bad booze-free morning we'd say he's probably headed to a more affordable condo in West Hollywood but in truth we know not a damn thing of Mister Metcalfe's finances and for all we know he's shoulder deep in c-notes and in the mood for a bigger, better and more expensive house.

listing photos: Hollywood Hills Real Estate Co.

A Pamela Pierce Designed House

 

 

 

Everyone knows that one of my favorite designers is Houstonian Pamela Pierce.  A few years ago, her own house was once a cover story in Veranda and it remains one of my favorites.  This picture above of her own bedrooms is rarely seen on the internet, but I think it is so pretty.  Understated, yet beautiful, it highlights Pierce’s aesthetic:  a love of antiques, a quiet monochromatic look, no easily defined period, and the use of quality in the elements that separates her work from the more average designer.  Her house is such a beauty, although I’ve heard rumors it’s been redone.   Unfortunately for us, Pierce’s work isn’t often seen.   Her clients prefer anonymity and while this is understandable, it’s such a shame that we aren’t able to see everything she designs.   There’s a lot to learn from her and I so respect her choices; I would be forever indebted  if one day she would publish a book filled with all her projects.  Pierce once said that while she admires international star designers such as John Saladino and Axel Vervoordt, she has been most influenced by Houston designer Babs Watkins.  I love that.   Watkins helped start the current “Houston” look and her eye is in a class of its own.   Simply, Watkins is one of the best designers this town has had.   Pamela Pierce certainly is at the top of the list of contenders to that title.

 

 

A few weeks ago I posted this picture of pool house she designed that is without a doubt one of the prettiest backyard structures I’ve seen.   I’ll use any excuse to post it again and again!  To describe it as a pool house is actually sacrilege.   Veranda calls it a garden pavilion, but I think of it as a folly – defined as: a whimsical structure built to serve as a conversation piece or lend interest to a view, found especially in England in the 18th century.   The pavilion was built around a collection of 18th century stone doors and windows that Pierce found at Chateau Domingue, the premier importer of architectural elements.   Very few designers would have had the vision to create such a structure out of a pile of bricks and stones, but Pierce had no problems at all.   The pavilion is exceptional, a one of a kind structure that stands in testament to her talent.  Notice the beautiful site line from the front of the pavilion out through to the back of the yard.  Gorgeous.

 

 

Inside the open air pavilion, Pierce used a collection of iron furniture, linen and striped fabrics and antique tables and accessories.   Notice that lantern sitting next to the settee.   And notice the fabric lampshades.   Love!!!

 

For Chateau Domingue’s Ruth Gay, Pierce designed the living room using Swedish and French antiques with  a checked fabric.

 

The same room from another view.  The tea table is so wonderful!   Notice the corner cabinet.

 

For this client, Pierce used antique sofas and chairs upholstered in damasks and linens.   Again, notice the tea table instead of a coffee table.  Antique fireplace is flanked by large putti. 

 

I love this bathroom with the fireplace in it.   I’ve always wanted one in my dining room and bedroom, but now I am thinking the bathroom is the perfect place for a roaring fire on a cold day.  Love the iron table and notice the Swedish day bed on the right side of the picture.  Instead of sconces, Pierce put lanterns on each side of the sinks. 

 

Pamela Pierce’s living room.  I am dying to see the house if it truly has been updated!   Can’t imagine messing with this perfection!!!    I’ve always loved the Spanish style desk at the very left of the picture.   Pretty mantlescape with the assortment of candles and roses.

 

Pierce’s own kitchen with the beautiful steel windows and doors and the great antique lantern.   I love how its styled with the antique gilt candlesticks next to a large tin bucket filled with flowers. 

 

A rare contemporary house with interiors by Pierce.   Even though this Austin house is modern, she still uses her antique chairs and stools and tables, which look absolutely correct in this space!

 

 

Being a devoted follower of Pam Pierce’s work, I was thrilled when realtor Sharon Ballas of Greenwood King emailed me that she had just listed a house designed by Pierce!  The house has been listed before, but the photographs were so small, I was unable to show it on the blog.   When Sharon informed me that she had the original images, full sized, I screamed – bring them on!!   A few minutes later, image after image from this beautiful house downloaded into my computer.   Nirvana.  The listing goes online later this week, so for all the pertinent information – email Sharon directly at ballas@greenwoodking.com

 

Enjoy!!!!

 

The large two story house is located in Tanglewood.   White stucco with arched windows throughout – notice the clipped boxed parterre garden. 

 

The front door opens to an expansive two story entry.   Here, an antique console stands in the center where a typical designer would use a round library time.    The rectangular table is the first clue that Pam Pierce is the designer.   The house was built, then bought by its owners in 2003.  The interiors were designed eight years ago, which amazes me because the house still looks current and fresh.   A decade old design can look dated and out of style, but this interior doesn’t because of the liberal use of classic antiques, which don’t age.  

 

The view of the foyer, opposite.   Two antique settees are slipped in light blue linen.   Notice the two sets of antique painted blue 18th century doors that open to the hallways.  The soft blue found here in the foyer runs throughout the house, upstairs and down. 

 

The view from upstairs looking onto the foyer.  Hanging from the ceiling is an Italian styled light fixture.

 

The living room is bathed in soft blue linens.   I love the printed lampshades on the standing lamps!   Even the trumeau has a soft blue tint to it.   Unfortunately, the curtains were out being cleaned when this picture was taken.   For lampshades similar to these, contact Watkins Culver.

 

I adore this dining room with its Spanish styled table and velvet covered chairs.  I LOVE the lantern instead of a fancy chandelier!!!   The blues found in the curtains run through the house.   Not sure what this fabric is, but I really like it. 

 

The kitchen – large and very functional for a big family.  

 

The breakfast room – my favorite room in the house!   The curtains are a blue silk check – so luscious and full!   Antique leather chairs and armoire.  I love the way the walls are filled with the large collection of herbiers.  Watkins Culver also sells similar herbiers.

 

 

The master bedroom overlooks the back yard.   Of course I love the darling tufted settee with the double ruffled skirt that is Pam’s trademark.  

 

Another view.  Beautiful armoire and desk.

 

 

The entry hall and the bedroom overlook this terrace. 

 

 

Off the foyer, an antique French table and garden chairs.

 

The family room has more touches of blue mixed with antiques and slipcovered sofa.   I’m partial to the child sized wicker chair because I have the same one!   The Gray Door carries these.  I love the taller coffee table and the iron table between the two antique Spanish chairs. 

 

Gorgeous French armoire anchors the room.    Remember – when starting out, try to buy one antique to anchor each room.  You’ll have it the rest of your life!

 

The upstairs landing is done in white linens with touches of blues.   Notice the cute piano bench!

 

Upstairs, the children’s media room has comfy furniture.

 

Too cute – a gray velvet tufted headboard is mixed with lilac and white linens. 

 

This room has matching French beds upholstered in linen.  Again, there are touches of blue.  Love the shutters and the wall to wall seagrass found throughout the upstairs.

 

 

Another darling bedroom with gray and white linens. 

 

And one more cute girl’s room with touches of green mixed with the white.  As you can tell, the homeowners have lots of daughters!

 

 

And, of course there is a wine tasting room, with slate walls!!!

 

The view off the kitchen and family room with a collection of faux bois furniture.

 

I hope you enjoyed looking at this house with interiors by Pamela Pierce.  To contact the realtor, email Sharon Ballas at ballas@greenwoodking.com

And to contact the interior designer Pamela Pierce, call 713-961-7540.

 

 

 

 

Be sure to look at the Cote de Texas sponsors listed on the  upper left hand side of the blog.  Today, we are welcoming several new sponsors:  J Covington Home and Karen Sugarman Designs.   For each sponsor, just click on their picture and you will be taken directly to their website.   Thanks for your support!

 

And another Cote de Texas sponsor, The Urban Market, is having their next show on February 12-13, Saturday – Sunday.    NOTE:  There is a new location!!!!   The Urban Market will be held at 3101 Smith Street @ Elgin.  Located in Mid Town, the new arena is SO much better!  Closer for everyone except those who live near the airport.   Thanks for moving, guys!!!

 

News From Abroad (and Beverly Hills)

There's been a tremendous amount of hoopla and hoo-ha the last several days about American ex-pat superstar Johnny Depp and his French baby momma Vanessa Paradis out-bidding an Arab prince for a fixer upper villa situated directly on the scenic Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.

Turns out he did not, at least not according to Mister Depp's rep who declared definitively to peeps at E! News that her client did not buy a vacation house in the sinking city of Venice. Make of that what you will, chickens.

As far as Your Mama knows, Mister Depp's property portfolio still and currently includes (but may not be limited to) a 50-some acre farm in the South of France, a large estate just above the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, CA that once belonged to Bela Lugosi, a condo at the Kelly Wearstler decorated Eastern Columbia building in downtown L.A., and an undeveloped private island in the Bahamas.

One of the newest celebrity real estate rumors to sweep through the British tabloids and subsequently all the real estate and celebrity blogs around the world is that lounge lizard Michael Bublé and his Argentine actress fiancée Luisana Lopilato have dropped around $4,500,000 for a "smart" house in the The Webb Estate, a fancy gated community in the London suburb Purley, Surrey.

Honestly, puppies, we don't know if there's any veracity to these real estate rumors about Mister Bublé buying a house the U.K. What we do know is that back in the spring of 2009 the Canadian crooner shelled out $4,100,000 for a contempo crib high above the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, CA. The house has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 poopers, a backyard swimming pool, spa, vertigo inducing views and a few famous neighbors who include singer Robin Thicke and gossip purveyor (and former ladee-mate of Simon Cowell) Terri Seymour.

Jennifer Aniston has owned a house across the street from Mister Bublé's pad for years but perhaps the richest of Mister Buble's well-heeled neighbors in Los Angeles is Atlanta-based actor/screenwriter/playwright/producer/director/mogul/whatever Tyler Perry, a man who remains curiously outside the Hollywood film firmament but is none-the-less well on his way to being a billionaire. Mister Perry, a real estate size queen if there ever was one, put his über contemporary, 9,725 square foot pied-a-terre in Tinseltown the market in June (2010) with an asking price of $13,250,000. The house remains unsold with a lowered price tag of $11,595,000.

Your Mama was told by a Beverly Hills real estate insider that Mister Perry put his modern manse on the market because he decided to complete the build-out of a 22,000 square foot mansion in the guard gated Beverly Ridge community that he began but abandoned a number of years ago.

But we digress. Speaking of the Cotswolds...

This will likely be old celebrity real estate news to all the Limeys who care about such things but it's brand new news to Your Mama who somehow missed all the many reports from the fall of 2010 about sometimes sloppy and oft opinionated British popstar Lily Allen snatching up a £3,000,000 spread in the Cotswolds called Old Overtown House. According to our currency conversion contraption that's more than 4,500,000 in American dinero.

Miss Allen's historic three-story house in the hamlet Overtown near the village of Cranham sits on about 8 acres, dates back to the 1600s and includes six bedrooms, five poopers, three reception rooms and a separate three bedroom cottage. The grounds include a swimming pool, tennis court, croquet lawn, stone barn and a variety of gardens (kitchen, rose, parterre, water).

The bucolic Cotswolds region has become a wee bit trendy for celebs and high-profile individuals like supermodel Kate Moss, conceptual artist Jake Chapman, rom-com king Hugh Grant who all own Cotswolds retreats. Spectacle making über artist Damien Hirst owns an historic 300-room Victorian Gothic extravaganza named Toddington Manor. Of course he does.

Anyhoodles poodles, back stateside Your Mama's been receiving some strange and conflicting information about the real estate affairs of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' large-lipped Taylor Armstrong and her huzband Whatshisname. More than two people recently whispered to Your Mama that they heard through the reality show gossip grapevine that Mister and Missus Armstrong are in foreclosure on their mock-Med mini-mansion located on a lonely street high above (West Gate) Bel Air.

They are not. Your Mama dug down into the nitty gritty of the public property records, which reveals that Mister and Missus Armstrong don't even own the house they live in. Silly rabbits, they'd have to own the damn house in order to be in foreclosure.

A quick cruise through the interweb and a leg up from the always helpful Babbling Babette and Your Mama figured out that the five bedroom and 4 bathroom house in question was listed for sale in the spring of 2008 for $3,995,000. It was concurrently listed for lease at fifteen grand a month and documentation Your Mama eyeballed with our own boozy eyes clearly states that the property was leased.

Puppies, we are not making a sad attempt her to dog Mister and Missus Armstrong for shelling out massive amounts of money each month to lease a house. Lahwerd knows just about everyone Your Mama knows rents because they can't afford to buy. Your Mama just likes to help so we're merely making an effort to clear up some brewing real estate rumors before they begin to circulate. Okay?

photos: Mouse Price (Lily Allen), Deasy Penner & Partners (Taylor Armstrong)