Book Review: Ellen DeGeneres Home

Ellen DeGeneres Home by Ellen DeGeneres

Published by Grand Central Publishing

Ellen DeGeneres: actor, daytime television royalty, avid home buyer, decorator, dancer, author, and now tastemaker - with her new book, Ellen DeGeneres Home. Who doesn't love Ellen? Her Emmy award-winning talk show has made her a household name, and her inspiring life story, charisma, and infectious smile have made her someone we all wish we knew personally. Well, while you may never in fact meet Ellen, or wife Portia, turning through the pages of her new book Home, is like being welcomed with open arms - and maybe even a little dance - into their meticulously finished private abode(s).

Over the last twenty-five years, Ellen has bought, renovated, and decorated nearly a dozen homes. Home catalogs the finished product of 7 homes that Ellen has owned, the tips and advice that she has for all of us after doing these renovations, and the things she learned after the job was complete. From Beverly Hills to The Villa (Yes, that would be John Saladino's former Santa Barbara, California estate) each home is immensely different from the next, but they all have this in common: they are among some of California's most amazing architecture, filled with unique furniture, breathtaking art, and hundreds of ideas you can implement in your own space.

Let's take a look at the inside, shall we? First, the horse ranch:

One of my absolute favorite houses that Portia and Ellen have done is the 26-acre ranch they purchased just north of Los Angeles, which was subsequently renovated, decorated, and featured in Elle Décor and Vogue, and is now featured in even more detail in Home.

 

 

 

When it comes to what owning this house taught Ellen, she says: "If you collect things, rocks, glass artifacts, etc., keep collections grouped in a way that allows for some free space around them. That way the focus is on the collection and not the clutter." 

 

Next up, another of my favorites, the Villa:

 



 

This massive 1930's mansion, perched on top of a hill of olive trees overlooking the Pacific Ocean in picturesque Santa Barbara is iconic, primarily for its rich history of ownership, and many magazine and book features when previously occupied by legendary interior designer, John Saladino. Ellen and Portia have uttered the words: "Forever Home" when talking about the Villa, and I think we all can see why.

 

Lastly, for this book review of Ellen DeGeneres Home, the brilliant Brody House in LA's Holmby Hills. While Ellen and Portia only lived in the house for a short time, they had a wonderful time furnishing the 1950's midcentury masterpiece of architect A. Quincy Jones: 

Ellen says: "When buying vintage, condition is everything. I prefer pieces in original condition with a nice patina. I almost always choose something that's reflective of its age, even if imperfect, as it has personality. If you choose well, this piece in original condition can hold its value, especially if it is a piece of design or something collectable."

For a closer look at these, and the other 4 houses that Ellen has called, and does call home, along with her incredibly witty writing and valuable interior design advice and ideas, you really have to grab the book! I've only had the book a few weeks, and I've already gone back to thumb through the more than 300 pages more than once to gain inspiration. You can purchase the book, (for quite a bargain I might add) on Amazon via the link below.