Photo: Portrait courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneresis opening up about her passion for designing stunning homes — lots of them!
In the Spring 2023 issue ofThe RIV Magazine,Montecito Journal’s design and architecture publication, the veteran talk show host and comedian spoke about her new Montecito, Calif. home during her first interview sincethe end of her show in May 2022.
“This place is all about the spot. The house needed a lot of work, but thespotwas always amazing,” she told the outlet of the 5-bedroom, 8-bathroom home sits on 10 acres. “Strangely, this was the very first place Portia and I ever looked up here.”
“Truthfully, I didn’t even want to see the place. It’s the longest I’ve ever deliberated on a property. Because the site was incredible but the house, while good bones, basically didn’t have a single surface I could live with and everything clashed with everything. Even the ceilings,” she said.
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Up for the challenge, she admitted that it was the “total package,” even though it was “going to require a massive effort, as well as a massive reimagining.”
The home was a passion project DeGeneres helmed, saying there “was no division” of labor when it came to revamping the space — wifePortia de Rossihappily took a backseat.
“She’s as passionate about horses as I am about houses. But we don’t delve into each other’s silos,” DeGeneres explained. “In fact I can’t really get her to go into a furniture store with me. Unless there’s a horse in there somewhere.”
TheFinding Dorystar told the outlet that the pair, who have been married for over 14 years, “thought our last house was our forever house,” particularly because they had horses and access to a trail.
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According to the outlet, DeGeneres has purchased and sold over 50 houses and estates in Southern California. Some of her recent properties include aSpanish-style 3-bedroomthat she bought for $12 million and sold for $13.5 six months later, acottage she listed for $6 millionin 2022, and aMalibu home that once belonged to Brad Pittshe purchased for $12 million back in 2011.
DeGeneres sees her residential projects as a lifelong passion.
“I don’t really travel a lot. So, house flipping is my version of travel,” she says. “With house flipping, the scenery changes though I stay in the same general area. Only in a new place and from a new perspective.”
For DeGeneres and de Rossi, home is truly where the heart is. In late January, they celebrated their wedding anniversary early with a surprise vow renewal — at home!
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Jenner’s speech began, “Welcome to Portia’s birthday party and to the newest home of one of my favorite couples, two of my [best friends] and the record holders for the most homes ever purchased in one city.”
In a 2011interview withAD, DeGeneres said, “The first thing I did when I made money was buy a house. And then…” de Rossi adds, “Another one, and another one, and another one, and another one.”
source: people.com
