Architectural Cases

Carolyn Miller, an esteemed interior designer, embarked on a significant journey to transform her historic Hancock Park duplex into a deeply personal sanctuary. This endeavor, a collaborative effort with her husband, Cedric Nairn-Smith, became a defining project in her career, allowing her to fully articulate her unique design philosophy. The renovation masterfully intertwines historical design elements from Nordic, Italian, and Japanese aesthetics of the mid-20th century, resulting in a modern yet authentic living space. Beyond professional design, Miller's personal investment in the restoration, including extensive DIY work, underscores a profound commitment to crafting a home that resonates with both past and present, celebrating the inherent beauty of each curated object and the narrative it contributes to the couple's shared life.

The transformation of the duplex highlights Miller's keen eye for integrating diverse influences and her dedication to hands-on restoration. From preserving original architectural details to undertaking complex DIY tasks, she ensured every aspect of the home reflected a blend of historical reverence and contemporary living. The interior is enriched by a carefully assembled collection of art and furniture, each piece chosen for its individual character and its contribution to the overall harmony of the space. This fusion of professional expertise and personal passion has created a dynamic and evolving environment, embodying the couple's journey and their appreciation for design that inspires rather than dictates.

A Harmonious Blend of Historical Styles

Carolyn Miller's design philosophy is rooted in a deep appreciation for the past, viewing every new creation as an extension of enduring legacies. Her approach to transforming her Hancock Park duplex was no exception, serving as a critical milestone in her personal design journey. Miller meticulously wove together "threads that have spanned centuries," drawing inspiration from diverse historical periods and geographical regions. This careful curation allowed her to forge an environment that felt both authentic and genuinely lived-in. For Miller, this project represented a significant evolution in her professional identity, pushing her to explore less conventional and more specialized design sources. Her aim was to achieve a modern aesthetic that elegantly synthesizes historical ideas, culminating in a style she describes as “Art Deco craftsmanship with machine age clarity,” subtly incorporating Nordic, Italian, and Japanese design influences from the 1930s to the 1960s.

This transformative process was not merely about aesthetic choices but also about a profound exploration of her artistic self. By delving into esoteric design sources, Miller broadened her creative horizons, allowing her personal residence to become a canvas for her refined vision. The integration of various design eras and cultural aesthetics is evident throughout the duplex, where every piece of furniture, every artistic element, and every decorative detail contributes to a cohesive yet eclectic narrative. This deliberate fusion creates an interior that transcends mere trend, offering a timeless quality that reflects a deep understanding and respect for design history. The result is a home that tells a story, marrying the robustness of industrial aesthetics with the sophisticated artistry of Art Deco, making it a unique testament to Miller’s evolving and distinctive taste.

Craftsmanship and Curatorial Passion

The renovation of Carolyn Miller's home stands as a testament to diligent restoration and a profound respect for the existing structure, where original architectural elements like plaster moldings and arches were meticulously preserved. Miller’s hands-on approach extended to numerous DIY projects, showcasing her dedication to personal craftsmanship. This included the challenging restoration of old wooden windows, a task that involved extensive scraping and waterproofing to protect her cherished art collection from sun damage. Her involvement in replacing air vents, updating door hardware, and installing custom teak handles in the kitchen highlights a deep commitment to every detail. Along with her husband, she undertook significant upgrades such as the electrical system and the application of Portola Roman Clay to the fireplace, further demonstrating her active role in the physical transformation of their living space.

Miller's expertise extends beyond structural renovations to her exceptional curatorial eye, transforming the duplex into a vibrant gallery of unique objects. Rather than adhering to conventional retail, she passionately scours sample sales, floor samples, and auction houses like Bukowskis and Bonhams, as well as online platforms such as VNTG, Proantic, and eBay, in search of original and distinctive pieces. This eclectic collection, ranging from a Lalique vase to a humble Tsubo pot, creates an interior where every item possesses its own identity, contributing to a harmonious yet unexpectedly dynamic atmosphere. Miller believes that this deliberate “off-kilter” arrangement brings a space to life, reflecting the evolving tastes of the couple and ensuring a layered, lived-in aesthetic. For her, furniture makers and ceramicists are on par with fine artists, affirming that a thoughtfully designed chair or lamp can be as profound an expression as a painting, all while embodying the principle of "restraint" advocated by design legend Elsie de Wolfe.

This collection of twenty captivating photographs offers an exclusive look into the private life and evolving domestic spaces of Natalie Wood, a celebrated icon of Hollywood's golden age. Beyond her remarkable acting career, Wood cultivated a unique personal style that extended to her homes, transforming them into reflections of her diverse passions and experiences. These images not only showcase her flair for interior design, often inspired by her film sets, but also reveal the profound importance she placed on family and personal sanctuary amidst the dazzling yet demanding world of stardom.

A Detailed Chronicle of Natalie Wood's Private Residences

Born Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko to Russian immigrant parents in San Francisco, Natalie Wood's journey began at a tender age, securing her breakthrough role in the beloved classic Miracle on 34th Street at just eight years old. Her ascent continued through iconic films like Rebel Without a Cause and West Side Story, earning her three Academy Award nominations by the age of 25. Wood defied the norms of her era, asserting her independence in role selection, demanding equal compensation to her male counterparts, and negotiating ownership stakes in her cinematic projects. Despite her glamorous public image and high-profile romances with figures such as James Dean, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra, Wood consistently emphasized that her family and home life were her utmost priorities. Her twice-married relationship with actor Robert Wagner underscored this devotion, as she famously stated, “The most important thing to me is family—my husband and my kids. There aren’t a lot of other things to relate to.” This sentiment resonates throughout the glimpses of her private abodes.

In the summer of 1955, at the tender age of 16, Wood was captured in a protective stance with her younger sister, Lana, at their Sherman Oaks residence at 15036 Valley Road in California. Despite an eight-year age difference, their bond was profound. Lana later recalled, with emotion, reading passages from Natalie’s memoir draft that detailed their closeness. The same year, a photograph from her bedroom in Sherman Oaks revealed her early passion for interior design. This room, a testament to her burgeoning maximalist tendencies, was meticulously arranged by the young starlet. Her daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, noted in her 2020 book, More Than Love: An Intimate Portrait of My Mother, Natalie Wood, that her mother's penchant for bold patterns and colors was evident, often drawing inspiration directly from movie sets. Jackie Eastes, a childhood friend, recounted Wood's "pink phase" in her Sherman Oaks bedroom, where pink canopy, floral wallpaper, and even her 1955 Thunderbird convertible and a 1957 Mercedes 300 SL roadster, were adorned in the frothy hue.

Wood possessed a lifelong affection for animals, owning a diverse menagerie including turtles, guinea pigs, mice, birds, lizards, ducks, rabbits, and the dog seen with her in a 1955 photograph. Natasha described her mother's unique connection with creatures, often favoring those deemed "ugly." Beyond live pets, Wood's homes were filled with stuffed animals, including a giant tiger's head gifted by her mother, which actor Dennis Hopper described as "cute and eccentric" and "everywhere" in her bedroom. A 1955 photo showcases Wood with her parakeet, Gregory Peckwood, and two stuffed monkeys.

Natalie Wood's sense of fashion was also intrinsically linked to her identity. Lana observed in her memoir, Natalie: A Memoir by Her Sister, that Natalie's style was soft, feminine, and romantic, mirroring the floral wallpaper in her home's entryway. Her extensive wardrobe, often acquired from her film sets through her mother’s negotiations, became a significant part of her legacy. Upon her passing in 1981, Wood bequeathed her vast collection of high-end clothing to Lana, filling "rooms and rooms" of her Laurel Canyon dressing room.

In late 1955, Wood and her family relocated to a newly constructed 6,000-square-foot residence on Laurel Canyon's Woodrow Wilson Drive, boasting six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Wood created a self-contained wing within the house, meticulously decorating her own bedroom, en suite bathroom, walk-in closet, and a spacious living area. A 1957 image shows her in the main living room, against a striking volcanic stone wall. Seeking independence, Wood transformed her Laurel Canyon bedroom, swapping vibrant pinks and floral patterns for a modern aesthetic of all-black furniture, white walls, and white carpeting.

The Laurel Canyon home also featured a kidney-shaped swimming pool, added after the family moved in. This amenity was reportedly installed by Wood’s mother to create a communal gathering spot, allowing her to keep an eye on Natalie and her Rebel Without a Cause co-stars-turned-friends, including Hopper, Nick Adams, and James Dean. The pool's base was notably adorned with a tiled mermaid. Following her marriage to Wagner in late 1957, Wood’s parents and sister moved out, leaving the newlyweds to enjoy the expansive home.

Wood experienced a near-fatal accident at the age of 10 during the filming of The Green Promise, resulting in a permanently dislocated wrist bone. To conceal this, she consistently wore a bracelet, a leather band, or long sleeves, as depicted in a 1956 image where she smiles, adorned with one of her many bracelets. In 1966, Wood temporarily stepped away from acting to address her mental health, a period marked by daily therapy sessions. A 1968 photo shows a visibly happier Wood departing her Bel Air home, signaling her recovery. In 1973, after remarrying Robert Wagner, the couple resided in a sprawling 1.6-acre Palm Springs estate. This property, previously owned by Wagner, included a six-bedroom main residence, a three-bedroom guesthouse, a tennis court, a swimming pool, and lush gardens, maintaining its original 1934 stone façade, terra-cotta tiles, and wood-beamed interiors.

During the 1970s, the Wagner-Wood family called a Gerard Colcord-designed Cape Cod-style home in Beverly Hills their primary residence. A photograph captures Wood with Wagner in their North Canon Drive living room following the birth of their daughter, Courtney. Natasha describes Wood's decor as a blend of heavy dark wood, wicker furniture, and plush upholstered pieces, adorned with framed family photos and Chinese needlepoint art, each item holding sentimental value. The North Canon Drive property boasted a garden paradise in its backyard, featuring an oval pool, bougainvillea, pansies, geraniums, lemon trees, and hibiscus. Actress Mia Farrow lauded the home as "heaven," emphasizing its beauty and welcoming atmosphere, which prioritized the children.

Beyond her acting and decorating prowess, Wood was celebrated as a consummate hostess, particularly known for her extravagant New Year’s Eve parties. These legendary gatherings drew Hollywood luminaries such as George Segal, Gregory Peck, Jimmy Stewart, Fred Astaire, and Cary Grant. Actor and filmmaker Richard Benjamin fondly recalled these events, noting the house "was just so full of love and happiness. It made you feel good to be there." These images collectively paint a portrait of Natalie Wood as a multi-faceted woman whose homes were extensions of her vibrant personality, her artistic sensibilities, and her deep-seated familial devotion.

Natalie Wood's life, as revealed through these photographs, offers a poignant reflection on the interplay between public persona and private sanctuary. It reminds us that even the most glittering stars cultivate a personal world where authentic passions and cherished relationships take precedence. Her journey from child star to accomplished interior decorator, and her unwavering commitment to family, underscore the enduring human need for a home that truly reflects one's soul. Wood's story encourages us to find inspiration in our surroundings and to imbue our living spaces with meaning, regardless of our public roles. It's a testament to the idea that true richness lies not just in professional achievements, but in the warmth and authenticity of our domestic lives.