Last month, Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Porita de Rossi made headlines when they put their luxurious home near Santa Barbara, California, on the market with a jaw-dropping price tag of $45million.
And just weeks later, the couple have knocked almost $6million off the asking price of their palatial property – which sits in the upscale enclave of Montecito – reducing it to a cool $39.5million.
The Tuscan mansion – or The Villa, as it is known – has long been the jewel in the couple’s real estate crown, and sits in an exclusive area which such stars as media mogul Oprah Winfrey have long called home.
Rustic yet refined: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have listed their Santa Barbara, California, estate for $45 million
However, despite Ellen once describing the property as their ‘forever’ home and even dedicating a good portion of a book to talking about the space she created there, the couple are now selling up.
Located in the more than just well to do area of Montecito – as well as former talk show titan Oprah, their neighbours include Al Gore and Rob Lowe – the property is an exquisite example of rustic yet refined living.
The home blends old world charm with marvelously minimalistic modern elements thanks to the original architect and then Ellen’s passion for interior design and indoor/outdoor living.
Selling up: (L-R) Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi previously said they hoped the property would be their ‘forever’ home
Nice spot: With views of the Pacific, the estate is located in the more than just well to do area of Montecito – their neighbors include Oprah Winfrey, Al Gore and Rob Lowe
Transport yourself to Tuscany: The original home was designed and built in the 1930s by architect Wallace Frost who had a passion for Italy and so incorporated design influences for 17th Century Tuscany into the home
Love betting on the market: Ellen and Portia have long had quite a real estate portfolio, buying and selling homes regularly
The 59-year-old host and her 44-year-old wife Portia, known for their house flipping, purchased the property for $26.5 million in 2013 and subsequently bought two adjacent properties, making the estate’s total land space almost 17 acres.
The home itself has six bedrooms and six full and two half baths spread across 10,500-square-feet. That does not include the specially constructed Jordan Hall, which the couple had built to give them an indoor-outdoor pavilion to relax and entertain.
The original home was designed and built in the 1930s by architect Wallace Frost.
Many dimensions: The home blends old world charm with marvelously minimalistic modern elements thanks to the original architect and then Ellen’s passion for interior design and indoor/outdoor living
Space for all: The home itself has six bedrooms and six full and two half baths spread across 10,500-square-feet
Old meets new:The modern finishes – which include a have to be seen to be believed master bathroom – are thanks to the couple and previous owner interior designer John Saladino, who spent five years restoring the home
Brings the outside in: The property is perfectly position on a crest so that it has expansive views of the Pacific as well as the eucalyptus and mature olive tree dotted landscape
Frost had a passion for Italy and so incorporated design influences for 17th Century Tuscany into the home.
According it its listing, the architect loved the old world feel and rustic style of county villas and that can be seen in The Villa’s barrel-tiled roof, terracotta surfaces, wide wood flooring planks and exposed ceiling beams.
Frost had materials from 18th Century brought over to California including tiles and light fixtures.
Giant gates from Spain at the same period mark the start of the large property guarding the quarter mile road up to the home.
Historic elements: Frost had materials from 18th Century brought over to California including tiles and light fixtures
Stylish and sleek: The kitchen is where the newer elements of the home’s design can be seen most as it features an impossible long marble island and a matching counter with sleek cabinetry
Al fresco: The seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living make it easy for guests to be entertained with al fresco meals
Cereal with a view: The kitchen has a more open feel and includes not just a breakfast nook but also a sitting area complete with yet another fireplace
The modern finishes – which include a have to be seen to be believed master bathroom – are thanks to the couple and previous owner interior designer John Saladino, who spent five years restoring the home.
Ellen and Portia’s property is perfectly position on a crest so that it has expansive views of the Pacific as well as the eucalyptus and mature olive tree dotted landscape.
Inside the main house is a library come living room which has exposed beams, stone walls and one of the nine fireplaces.
Another fireplace is located in the formal dining room which is separate, as are many rooms in the home as open plan was not something sort after at the turn of last century.
Understated decor: The decorating also reveals Ellen’s flare for design as when they purchased the home it was decorated with a lot of bright colours and rugs and tapestries from the time period which inspired Frost
Her touch: Ellen has since gone for a more natural tones with a mix of modern art and historical artifacts blending seamlessly
New addition: Making the most of the beautiful weather and their additional space, Ellen and Portia built Jordan Hall
Kick pack and relax: Jordan Hall has a focus on indoor and outdoor living with a space to entertain and also a guest quarters
The kitchen has a more open feel and includes not just a breakfast nook but also a sitting area complete with yet another fireplace.
It is where the newer elements of the home’s design can be seen most as it features an impossible long marble island and a matching counter with sleek cabinetry.
The decorating also reveals Ellen’s flare for design as when they purchased the home it was decorated with a lot of bright colors and rugs and tapestries from the time period which inspired Frost.
Party spot: While new, the pavilion reflects the architecture of the original home but has lots of space for fun and games
No expense spared: The bathrooms include a selection of fixtures and fittings worthy of some of the world’s finest spas
The lap of luxury: The pavilion overlooks the sandstone-framed lap pool which takes its inspiration from the surrounding area
Artistic fixtures: A large number of artistic touches sit throughout the property, including several eye-catching sculptures
Ellen has since gone for a more natural tones with a mix of modern art and historical artifacts blending seamlessly.
Making the most of the beautiful weather and their additional space, Ellen and Portia built Jordan Hall which has an indoor entertaining space and a guest quarters.
The pavilion overlooks the sandstone framed lap pool. They also installed a sunken tennis court.
In her book Home, about interior designing, that she released in 2015, Ellen said she hoped The Villa was hers and Portia’s ‘forever home’.
Outdoor treat: A stone outdoor pizza oven will give new owners the opportunity to entertain their guests in fine style
Love , set, match: The couple also installed a sunken tennis court so they could have a hit or two without taking away from the natural environment
Had her heart: In her book Home, about interior designing, that she released in 2015, Ellen said she hoped The Villa was hers and Portia’s ‘forever home’
Ellen wrote: ‘The surrounding gardens and olive trees are almost as wonderful as the interior.
The house truly feels like it was built out of the landscape, rather than plopped on a plot. It feels ancient, like it’s been there forever. Like that hill was never without the house. This is a home that honors nature, and I love that.’
Comedienne Ellen and Portia have long had quite a real estate portfolio, buying and selling homes regularly.
Ellen currently has one of her two Beverly Hills condos on the market from $7 million, and recently the couple sold their Hollywood Hills home for $9.9 million.
An oasis: Jordan Hall also has a Japanese wooden outdoor bath to help ease sore muscles after a vigorous game of tennis
At one with nature: A large number of majestic trees dot the exterior of the sprawling property, which add to its rustic charm
Splashing out: Ellen and Portia splashed out $18.6 million on a beachfront mansion in Carpinteria, California, last month