James Van Der Beek Lists Valley Village Digs

SELLER: James Van Der Beek
LOCATION: Los Angeles (Valley Village), CA
PRICE: $1,250,000
SIZE: 3,017 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: It took a little sorting out and a back up from the always in-the-know Lucy Spillerguts to figure out that a comfortable-looking if ho-hum ranch style residence located in the heart of the suburban Valley Village area of L.A.'s San Fernando area and currently listed at $1,250,000 is owned (if not occupied) by former Dawson's Creek heart throb James Van Der Beek.

Although Mister Van Der Beek, now in his mid-thirties with the blond, chisel-chinned good looks of Clark Kent (or maybe Prince Charming), has worked steadily in a slew of movies and television programs since 2003 when Dawson's Creek ended he didn't land another gig as a series regular until 2012 when he killed it for two seasons in a brutally self-skewering role as a preening and comically vain version of himself on the short-lived sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. He occasionally pops up on the long-running and award-winning but soon to be shuttered sitcom How I Met Your Mother and in May (2013) it was announced that a major network picked up the upcoming Friends-like sitcom Friends With Better Lives starring Kevin Connolly, Brooklyn Decker, and—you got it—Mister Van Der Beek. So, it seems, The Beek is back, at least as long as Friends With Better Lives stays afloat. Mazel tov and anyhoo...

Property records suggest Mister Van Der Beek and his ex-wife, actress Heather McComb, acquired the humble if not exactly inexpensive Valley Village abode in happier married days, in February 2006, for $1,260,000, a mite more than its current $1,250,000 price tag and a bit less than the original asking price of $1,295,000.

Current online listing materials show the 3,017 square foot single story California ranch residence was originally built in 1936, sits on a .21 acre mid-block lot in a respectable if ordinary neighborhood just off Laurel Canyon Boulevard, and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The front door opens directly in to the white-walled formal living room where there are wood floors under foot, a vaulted exposed wood ceiling over head, a fireplace on one wall, and two sets of French doors on the other that expose the room to the covered entry porch where listing photos show an Old-Timey chain-hung porch swing.

The wide plank wood floors in the living room switch to slate tiles in the adjoining over-sized family room that's commodious enough to accommodate a t.v. lounge and a pool table and has direct access through wood-framed glass doors to the backyard entertainment and recreation areas. A breakfast bar is all that separates the dining area from the kitchen that appears dated and a mite tired despite the high-grade, commercial-style stainless steel appliances.

The private master suite has more vaulted ceilings and wood-framed glass doors that lead out to the backyard plus an attached bathroom with tumbled travertine type tile work, a jetted tub, a separate glass-enclosed stall shower, and an unexpected bamboo vanity cabinet topped by a pair of frosted glass vessel sinks.*

The back of the house wraps around two sides of a sun-baked flagstone dining and lounging terrace that steps down to a hedge-ringed flat patch of grass and classic, kidney-shaped swimming pool. Staging Lady in a Pink Toyota tucked a free-standing hammock in to the back corner of the property that would be a great place to read a book if you didn't have to look at the air conditioning contraption on the roof.

We're not quite sure where Mister Van Der Beek and his preggers-with-their-third-bambino second missus, Kimberly, currently reside but we do know it's not at the gated, hillside in the hills above Studio City that Mister Van Der Beek acquired in 2001 for $1,330,000 and sold off in June 2009 for $1,825,000.

*Your Mama is seeing enough of these too-trendy frosted vessels sinks lately—we also spotted them in Chris Colfer's Hollywood Hills house—that we feel compelled to create Rule #109 in Your Mama's Big Book of Decorating Does and Donts that reads, "Thou shalt not, under any circumstance or decorative compulsion, install frosted glass vessel sinks in any bathroom anywhere."

listing photos: The Agency

A Designer To Love

 

During the last story I showed a bright family room designed by Schuyler Samperton – a well known decorator in Los Angeles.  You might already be very familiar with Samperton, but for those who aren’t, I wanted to share images from her beautiful portfolio.  For years Samperton’s web site was a stagnant place, but that all changed just a few years ago when she debuted her new internet site.  It’s been a real thrill to see her updated work, most of which had never been seen before.  Her portfolio has grown with her and her work is fabulous – it’s fresh and new, but it’s steeped in the classics.  Her rooms are warm and welcoming at the same time – everything that a house should feel like.

To review – it was Samperton’s own apartment that garnered her initial burst of popularity.  She started out working for the mega star Michael Smith, along with another designer.  Both left and started their own firm.  Today, Samperton is now solo.   Her stint with Smith clearly made a lasting impression on her work and you can see his influence in her designs – which is definitely a great thing. 

 

Let’s look at her own apartment first – which garnered so much attention.

Located in West Hollywood, this is a 900 sq. ft. apartment – with five rooms.  It is small, but so rich in layers and colors, you don’t notice where the rooms start or end.  In the main room, she added a large bookcase which immediately creates architectural interest.   The room is amazing.  It’s the basis of her aesthetic and much of her work has these same elements:   warm colors, textiles, worn leathers, layers, and patterns.

 

Another look at the bookcase – and a glimpse of the large window where she added Bennison curtains, a very luxurious choice.   Underneath it all is a zebra rug adding more pattern.   The room is timeless – it could have been installed this year or twenty years ago.  The coffee table is an antique Oriental lacquer piece and the two chairs are painted an unexpected red.  It’s all so warm and inviting and welcoming.  You want to put your feet up and read a book and never leave.

 

A close up of the Bennison fabric against the green walls.  The antiques aren’t fine or out of reach, which makes it all the better.   Michael Smith’s influence is seen immediately – in the wall colors, in the choice of fabrics, in the use of textiles and antiques. 

 

 

This shows a recent update to the space – a daybed placed in front of the windows instead of the two red chinoiserie inspired chairs.

 

A vignette with a bright turquoise lamp in front of an oil painting.

 

A screen is used in the dining room along with an antique gilt wood chandelier.

 

Another more recent view of the brightly painted yellow dining room with its skirted table and the newly placed lantern.

 

 

In the master bedroom, a 19th century French antique settee sits next to the bed.

 

A Suzani is used as a bedspread, while a screen is used as a headboard.  Again, the Michael Smith influence is strong here – with the suzani, the screen, the blue and white lamp and the English antique furniture.   Samperton took the best of Smith and made it her own.   

 

Westside Provencal

 

The next house that Schuyler designed which was published is owned by the model Carolyn Murphy.  It was shown in Vogue magazine and its publication coincided with her new web site/blog.   Here in the living room – the walls are creamy white with a gray velvet tufted sofa and antiques.   The house is wonderful – filled with architectural charm – a bit of France near the L.A. beach.

 

The house was built in the 1920s.  It’s small, but so charming, the size makes it all the more cozy.    Here Samperton added her trademark beautiful curtains in a muted pattern. 

 

The dining room is truly fabulous!  The Restoration Hardware fixture hangs over the beautiful wood table – with two chairs that are almost falling apart !!!  Love this so much!

 

The kitchen is charming – look at the sink.  Love the tile floor and the casement windows in the adjacent pantry. 

 

 

 

Samperton said she searched the internet for all these different textiles – and together they do make a colorful statement.  Again, it’s all so casual and simple, yet it is so warm and inviting. I just love her aesthetic.   Notice the original door knob. 

 

A nook upstairs – love the rug.  Again, a pile of patterns, nothing matching, but that is the charm.  Samperton has a gift of being to assemble mismatched fabrics and make them relate to each other in an unexpected way.

 

Tiles and a marble sink – tiny casement window with stucco walls and an old shelf.  Perfection!

 

Carolyn had the headboard and the curtains – so they were reused.  Love the metal lamp.  Love the table.   The only pattern is a pillow with the found fabric.

 

 

WOW!!!   The master bathroom is beyond fabulous!   I would live outside in that adjacent garden!  Why don’t they still make houses like this?

 

A close up of the marble vanity.   Love the mirrors and the twin sinks.  Perfection. 

 

 

 

The garage was turned into an artist’s studio and an entertaining space.  

 

 

It’s Belgian Rough Luxe meets industrial chic.

 

 

Notice the corner fireplace.   Love the furniture Samperton assembled for this space.

 

 

The back yard – when can I move in?  Love the gravel and the lavender planted around the pool.   Notice how the four trees become a natural pergola – what a great idea!

 

 

Hancock Park:

In this house, the décor is a little more dressy, but it still has that warm mix of antiques, Oriental vibe, and luxe fabrics and textiles.  Again, Samperton chose a patterned fabric for the curtains – and mixes it with plain upholstery. 

 

A vignette in the living room.

 

Love the dining room where there is turquoise hand painted wallpaper mixed with gold fabrics.  Notice the rug!

 

Love this use of fabrics, rug, and textiles in the family room.

 

 

The paneled walls are great – they add so much character to the house.

 

Love the quiet chintz at the window and on the bed. 

 

 

Beverly Hills:

This house is a real departure in the color palette for Samperton.  But, it still has the same warm feel – inviting and comfortable and cozy.  Dying to know who lives here!  A single female?  Or a married couple?

 

Notice here how she tones down the bright fabrics with art work and an antique wood console. 

 

As always – a mix of textiles on the pillows.

 

The dining room is blue and white – notice the blue and white tiled walls – a la Michael Smith.  He copied that age-old idea and other designers then copied him.

 

 

Palisades Traditional:

 

This is another new addition to the portfolio.  Again, it’s traditional with an English colonial feel to it.  Striped fabrics are mixed with patterned textiles. 

 

 

The kitchen and breakfast room are an interesting mix of white marble and red walls.  Notice the pendant lights over the island. 

 

 

 

Love this printed fabric and the blue denim in the family room. 

 

 

 

English styling in the powder room with its leaded glass windows.

 

 

The children’s room – a mix of blue and white stripes with worn leather and plaid.  The lamps and their shades are fabulous!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The master suite is my favorite – the English styled canopy bed dressed with embroidered fabrics, the striped settee, the old rug and the walls are wallpapered, adding another layer – wonderful!   The layers that Samperton puts in each room add much to the feel – the rooms don’t feel empty, no matter how large they are – they feel properly furnished.   So many designers don’t add enough furniture to larger rooms, making them seem cavernous.   Samperton avoids that misstep. 

 

The owner’s study – love this!!!!!!  This is a working office but – Samperton still made it feminine and pretty.   Love the chandelier and the pink fabric mixed with the ticking stripe.

 

 

Swedish furniture – notice the hand printed wallpaper that Samperton lined the walls with.  I love all her rug choices – they add another quiet layer of pattern to the rooms.

 

 

In the master bathroom, she added wood furniture – an unexpected choice.

 

 

The English styled chair with striped fabric works with the rugs and cabinets.  Such a pretty space.

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of Schuyler Samperton’s portfolio today – there’s lot more on her web site – so be sure to visit there and check it out.  When she debuted her new web site, she started a blog which was very interesting and promising!  But, I’m afraid she is too busy with clients to keep it up – so it’s rarely updated these days, which is a real shame.  Still, read the older entries when you visit.

I hope you got some new ideas for decorating today – ideas for adding warmth and coziness in a room, ideas on how to fill out a room so it doesn’t look either empty nor cluttered, and ideas on how to mix and match textiles and fabrics in ways that aren’t too obvious. 

Visit her web site HERE.

And if you are inspired by Samperton’s style – be sure to visit Michael Smith’s web site.  He’s got some beautiful photographs of his portfolio – some old favorites and some new designs – HERE.

Chris Colfer: Buh-by Hollywood Hills Starter House

SELLER: Chris Colfer
LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA
PRICE: $1,150,000
SIZE: 2,462 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: We've now heard from several snitchy informants who let Your Mama know that out and proud Glee star Chris Colfer has put his starter house in the Hollywood Hills up for sale with a $1,150,000 price tag.

If y'all clear out the cobwebs and/or put on your thinking caps the children may recall that the singing and dancing Golden Globe winner purchased the house in the hills just over two years ago, in March 2011, for $860,000.*

Current digital marketing materials show the three-story residence with its—ahem—rusticated base, faux-quoining, and shingled mansard roof sits hard up on the street, as do many homes in even the swankiest sections of the Hollywood Hills. There are three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in 2,462 square feet of fairly recently remodeled interior space.**

A secured (and not particularly attractive) iron gate secures a walled and gated entry courtyard just barely big enough to accommodate two people. The front door opens directly in to the mid-floor "formal" living room where a low slate-tiled platform plays paltry substitute for a proper foyer. There are honey blond wood floors throughout the house and sliding glass doors at the back of the living room lead out to a wrought-iron railed deck that runs the full width of the house and hangs knee-knockingly over the steep canyon below.

A circular staircase with an industrial-ish stainless steel banister and more than a half dozen small windows ascends to the upper level bedrooms that include a couple of guest/family bedrooms—one is currently staged as a home office—that share a fairly compact three-quarter bathroom with corner sink situation and glass-enclosed stall shower.

The master bedroom, also on the upper level, has lovely canyon and sky views and a fitted walk-in closet. The attached private bathroom is outfitted with a slate tile vanity with two frosted glass vessel sinks,**** and a triangular-shaped jetted tub—it's almost heart shaped, really—set into a ebony pebble tile-walled corner. A separate but open shower appears to be fashioned from poured concrete but, for all this nimrod property gossip knows, it may very well be a far less humble material.

The house's main living space on the lower level encompasses an open, loft-like space that spans the full width of the house. At one end a family room has a (gas) fireplace with bulky slate tile surround, a built-in sofa bench (that we sorta love as a reading nook), and sliding glass doors that open to a second wrought iron-railed deck that, like the one above it, also spans the full width of the house. In the middle of the long, low-ceilinged space is a tight dining area—currently staged with a bothersome bar-height table for four—and a wet bar with itty-bitty sink and under-counter wine and booze fridge. The kitchen at the far end of the room has Shaker-style cherry-toned cabinetry, golden-beige solid surface counter tops, and a weirdly shaped center island with a curved glass breakfast bar. The kitchen is also equipped with and expected suite of mid-range stainless steel appliances, a shimmery stainless steel kick panel under the breakfast bar, and—an honest to goodness excellent feature—an over-sized walk-in pantry.

Your Mama has no idea what future real estate plans Mister Colfer may have but the obviously staged interiors of his starter place in the Hollywood Hills and the empty closets more than suggest he's already packed up and moved on..

In other Glee-related real estate news:

We first heard it on the 5th of September (2013) a from a gabby gal we'll call Bea A. Sporte and we've subsequently heard word on the celebrity real estate street is that back in March (2013) the show's property mad creator, writer and executive executive producer Ryan Murphy, shelled out $9,000,000 for a fixer upper in the rustic-swank celebrity-saturated Sullivan Canyon area that snakes up into the Santa Monica Mountains between L.A.'s tony Brentwood and Pacific Palisades communities.

It appears the whole thing went down on the down low because Your Mama was unable to turn up any easily available online listings from the time of the time of Mister Murphy's surreptitious property procurement. However, we did manage to turn up loads of information about the 1.4 acre, horse-zoned spread from the time the sellers purchased the property just over a year earlier. At that time the residence was billed as a "Santa Barbara mission style home" that was built in 1991 with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms in just over 7,200 square feet with "soaring architectural spaces" and "Arizona flagstone floors throughout." Other amenities of the multi-winged mini-mansion included numerous fireplaces, mature and private gardens, a swimming pool and spa set well back from the rear of the house, a putting green, garage parking for six cars, and a two two story guest house perched atop the gated entry gate.***

*Our research indicates stone tiled security wall at the front of the house as well as the faux-quoins were added subsequent to Mister Colfer's ownership, which means he poo-pooed Your mama's unsolicited and rather more modern solution (scroll towards the bottom) to the front façade problems.

**With the exception of the courtyard-creating wall at the front of the house, the addition of the ersatz quoins, and a fresh coat of paint,  a quick comparison of current listing photos with those (still available online) listing photos from the time of Mister Colfer's 2011 purchase suggest Mister Colfer may not have undertaken any other significant cosmetic improvement projects. Listing details go on to note that the house has "newer copper plumbing, electrical and roof" but Your Mama, of course, has no idea how new these newer—and costly and important—mechanical upgrades are.

****Keep in mind, children, we have it on good authority that Mister Murphy has already embarked on an extensive overhaul of the property and the result, which will surely be in a fashion publishable in a glossy shelter magazine, may or may not adhere to the above mentioned measurements and features.

****Your Mama can't help it but we just get a decorative rash from this vessel sink mega-trend that we really, really, really hope soon reaches its expiration date. 

listing photos (Colfer): Lighthouse Property
listing photos (Murphy): PostRain Productions for Gibson International