Be Inspired No. 22 - Maison de Luxe

Mark your calendars for one of the most design inspiration treats this year. Maison de Luxe in Beverly Hills sponsored by Luxe design+ is being held at the historic Greystone Mansion. It will be open December 2 - 22, 2011 with rooms designed by over 20 of America's finest designers.

This 46,000 square foot mansion is filled with history. According to the Friends of Greystone website in 1926, Doheny gifted his son Edward “Ned” Laurence Doheny Jr., and his daughter-in-law Lucy, with a 12.58 acres parcel of land. This land acquired by Doheny in 1914, was adjacent to his 429 acre Doheny Ranch. It is on these 12.58 acres that Greystone mansion was built, at a cost of $3,135.563. It became the largest undertaking of a family estate in the city of Beverly Hills.

The creation of the grounds began in 1926. A three-leveled gardens designed by German born landscape architect Paul Thiene, mixed a variety of garden styles and themes based on Italian and English gardens. There were nearly 100 different species of plants and flowers on the property, representing every continent. Incorporated in the gardens, were two cascading waterfalls, two lakes, and a green house. The estate included a swimming pool and pavilion, tennis courts, kennels and a charming playhouse, as well as stables and a gatehouse.

Greystone’s exterior is 19th century English revival architecture with a combination of two story turrets faced with Indiana limestone, Welsh slate and leaded glass windows. The interior is 18th century in style and includes fifty-five livable rooms in 46,054 square feet, including the entertainment wing consisting of a theater, bowling alley and billiard room.
Many events have been held at the mansion since it became a public icon. One of my favorite films was partially filmed here in 2006, The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Ed Burns, Nancy Meyers, Director.
For more information on the Maison de Luxe event visit http://www.maisondeluxeatgreystone.com/
 Image Sources: Friends of Greystone