Inside the Homes of Top Designers
Talk about fashionable real estate. Famous fashion designers don’t just excel in the clothing department. Their interior design skills are just as haute couture as they are!
Leading property portal Lamudi released an article that gives us a special pass on these stylish and enviable homes:
THE VERSACE MANSION
Located in Miami, Florida, the late Gianni Versace’s mansion was sold at an auction last year for $41.5 million USD. I wonder how many Idol Shoulder Bags (worth $2.550USD each) can be bought with that… Versace bought Casa Casuarina in 1992 and spent millions on renovations. Tragically, he was shot dead on the mansion’s front steps in 1997.
The property is now set to attract plenty of highflyers through its doors, with the mansion recently reopening as a luxury hotel. Guests can stay in the master designer’s former bedroom, and swim in his 24-carat gold swimming pool.
THE VALENTINO CHÂTEAU
Located just half an hour away from Paris, France, the Château de Wideville was built by Louis XIII’s finance minister, Claude de Bullion. It was home to one of Louis XIV’s mistresses, Madame Louise de la Vallire, and was purchased by Valentino Garavani in 1998. The 120-acre property boasts of eight bedrooms, and was restored by the famed Henri Samuel, master of French interior design. This is exactly the kind of glamour you would expect from the 82-year old fashion icon.
THE KARL LAGERFELD APARTMENT
Born in Hamburg, Germany, Chanel’s head designer and creative director now calls “la ville des lumières” home. Don’t expect anything extravagant from his minimalist apartment, located on the Quai Voltaire. According to Lagerfeld, “There is no color here, because I am constantly surrounded by color. I prefer to live in a neutral environment.“ No word yet on how Choupette, Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, feels about the minimalist approach with no interesting furniture to climb on.
THE DIANE VON FURSTENBURG PENTHOUSE
You have top designers living in Paris; you have top designers living in iconic Manhattan. The famous Belgian born designer happens to be one of them. Located at the very center of the Meatpacking District (No, she doesn’t live on the Upper East Side, Gossip Girl style) Diane Von Furstenberg‘s Penthouse features glass walls and quirky furniture. If in the fashion industry, she is known for the wraparound dress, then in interior design circles, her not-so-humble abode is famed for the 3,000 Swarovski crystal staircase. For convenience’s sake, the Diane Von Furstenberg flagship store is located just at the bottom of her uniquely decorated Penthouse, so if you happen to pass by, don’t forget to look up!