Natalie Wood's Domestic World: A Glimpse into the Screen Siren's Private Life
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.