There has been a lot of talk lately about fashion designer Randolph Duke's house sale. Designer to the stars and also to midwestern housewives thanks to the home shopping network, he has obviously done well for himself. It's a modernist dream floating over LA but with an unexpected interior thats a mix of styles but with one continuous thing going for it -GLAMOUR
To hold up to that view though, the interiors would have to be totally over the top, don't you agree? It feels like an updated 70s playboy dreamhouse to me in a good way. The existing houses didn't take advantage of the view so they were torn down to make way for this mansion.
This dining room is so totally GORGEOUS. I love this parsonesque table paired with various antique chairs -in a mix of fabrics even! That bench seems pretty churchy though, right? At least a gothic, high-victorian style that reminds me of church.
Who wants to watch tv with that view?? Why do they always put on the weather channel for real estate pictures? These are the big questions I have. I love the white upholstery -but whats up with the stone crosses on the right? Yet another church reference?
I think this view of the living room is a really great image to get an understanding of the living room. I'm a fan of the big mirrors which open up that wall and reflect the view and the light - I love the open daybeds, great for parties and accomodating different seating arrangements. Just to state the obvious though, this is NOT a child friendly house! check out that open stair -and the lack of railing down the cliff on the terrace (which would block the view)
Here is the very supernaturally preserved Randolph Duke. Apparently HSN treats a designer well! Can you believe he's 50?? I hope I look 1/2 that good at that age (or is this photoshop? thoughts?). 
I mean seriously -is this not totally perfect? But what are those little rock sculptures? Cannons from the civil war? I could do without those
Another view of the living room. I'd hate to think how we're supposed to clean that white rug. And why is there ANOTHER cross on the coffee table? All of this can be yours for only $8.25 MILLION clams - let me know if you buy it, I want to come stay for the weekend!Read more about the property online at
Hey, if i slammed crosses , stone, steel , wood , iron , and marble all over my house , do you think i could look that good too ??
ReplyDeleteit is worth a shot,so... i am off to the 'designer cross shop' right now !
really gorgeous place !
xx
Haha, It really is a mish-mash of materials, isn't it, Renee? I didn't realize that till you pointed it out. This house could ONLY be in LA and look so good, anywhere else it would appear foolish and cold. Here in DC it would be a mausoleum! I still enjoy the juxtopositions though!
ReplyDeleteCOLD was the word i was about to use...even before i saw your comment! it's beautiful, but after viewing the pics of your apartment christmas, i'd much prefer it over this LA extravagance!
ReplyDeletep.s. new to the blogspot and happened upon your site. love it!
I don't mind a cross or 2 in the right place. I've got one in my house. Not sure if I get the one on the table. This house is gorgeous. I like the outside the most except I'd stub my toe on those balls at least once a day.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to spend the weekend there, but it would take me a full 10 minutes to get downstairs for fear of misstepping, having a serious injury and bleeding over all that white.
Thank you, Emily! I'm glad you've been stopping by! I think this is a HOT climate type house - definitely too cold looking and feeling for most of the country! Glamour in Modernism seems to rarely exist though with warmer looks. Both glamour and modernism to me have a colder, sharper edge.
ReplyDeletei can't get over that view!!!
ReplyDeleteKwana, sure - 1 or 2 crosses is fine for religious reasons. But they seem out of place in this setting, don't you agree? I mean -i really doubt Randolph Duke is the church goer type (but what do I know!). Just seems...odd to me.
ReplyDeletewow- hubba hubba,
ReplyDeletevery LA
Sleek...like a bond film!
ReplyDeleteHey, 50's not that old! ;^)
50 isn't old at all and I never said it was! I just meant he looks great for his age - for any age at that matter! Are you trying to get me in trouble, Willow? LOL
ReplyDeleteI think he actually looks 50 - maybe a little botox on the forehead, but have you seen a 50 year old in real life? haha!!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog. I'm new to blogging myself.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go back to school I can't decide whether to go for architecture or mechanical engineering. Any advice from an architect's perspective?
Justin, thanks for the note :-)
ReplyDeleteThose are 2 totally different fields LOL. Well -in my opinion
an architect is in charge of an entire project, start to finish -every single aspect of it. design, constructability, legal ramifications and basically handing out the work load to all the respective people.
A mechanical engineer is one very small part of that whole chain of events.
That said - it's a lot easier to become a mechanical engineer, it's less headache, less late hours and better pay (yes, really). If you have any question in your mind - go with mechanical engineering. Architecture is hard. School is very hard, work can be tedious and VERY stressul with a lot riding on each project and decision made - and architects don't get paid much (which surprises most people). You become an architect because you love it, you have no other choice and can't imagine doing anything else. It's a passion.
Ok - that was long and dramatic, but -thats my advice from an architect's perspective!
Are you kidding?? That is what 50 year olds look like!..Ha!
ReplyDeleteI agree the crosses seem very placed but who knows what he does on Sunday's or Saturday night:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. The only real reason I want to get into architecture is that some day I can design and build (for the most part) my own house. I find mechanical engineering more interesting in some respects and am very surprised to hear that architects don't get paid as much.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll start down the mechanical engineering path and see what becomes of it. Thanks again.