Their house in Palm Springs was built in 1958 during Hollywood's Golden Age and although the couple instantly fell in love with the property, it needed an 18-month renovation to transform the villa into their dream home. Its airy facade (above) boasts a number of windows looking out on to a tranquil swimming pool
Elicia Castaldi and her husband David Kokakis are a dynamic, successful couple in control of every detail in their impressive careers. But when it came to acquiring their perfect weekend home, the Los Angeles-based duo turned the choice over to chance.
During a trip to the exclusive desert resort of Palm Springs, Elicia, founder of artistic stationery brand Girl w/ Knife, and David, a top music executive, went to view an elegant but rundown 1950s villa.
Built in the Golden Age of Hollywood, it could well have been their dream come true, but could also have been beyond repair. They paused at the gate, gripped by the fear of disappointment, then took a bold decision. "If we see a hummingbird on the way in, we'll buy it," they agreed.
And right there, on the branch of a small tree, welcoming them, was not one, but two hummingbirds. That was six years ago and the couple haven't looked back.
"When we started our house search, we had two very clear requirements; we wanted a view of the mountains and we did not want to see power lines. It’s hard to get that combination, but we did,” Elicia says.'
As light floods into the pristine white villa, its interior a homage to classic Hollywood Regency style, it’s hard to imagine how it was back then. “It was in a deplorable state. The refurbishment was a joint effort and took us a year and a half,” she says.
Denne historien er fra September 04, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra September 04, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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DREAM ESCAPES
Take in the beauty of Japan's former imperial capital, from its temples and tea houses to serene moments in nature
SPICE BOY
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham is among the stars fuelling the craze for hot sauces, from spicy peppers to hot honey
CILLIAN MURPHY
AFTER HIS OSCAR-WINNING TURN IN 'OPPENHEIMER' CILLIAN MURPHY BRINGS IT BACK HOME WITH POWERFUL NEW FILM SET IN IRELAND - AND DROPS 'PEAKY BLINDERS' MOVIE HINTS
MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY - THE DUKE OF SUSSEX
PAYS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE AS HE MAKES SWEET GESTURE TO BEREAVED CHILDREN
THE ROYAL FAMILY PAY THEIR RESPECTS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
HONOURING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY
MAKING IT A RIGHT ROYAL NIGHT - 'GLADIATOR II'
THE KING WALKS THE RED CARPET AT FILM'S STARRY WORLD PREMIERE
FRESH FROM THE 'WICKED' PREMIERE - ARIANA GRANDE
ON HER CLOSE BOND WITH 'WARMEST HUMAN' CYNTHIA ERIVO
AFTER REVEALING HER DECISION TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A BRAIN TUMOUR - DAVINA MCCALL CELEBRITY FRIENDS SEND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AFTER SHOCK NEWS
Stars including Amanda Holden and Holly Willoughby have offered heartfelt support to Davina McCall after she revealed she was undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.
THE KING AND QUEEN
AS DAMIAN LEWIS PRAISES CAMILLA'S RECENT T.V. TURN - THE KING AND QUEEN HOST STAR-STUDDED RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR FAMOUS BIG AND SMALL-SCREEN FACES
CELINE DION AND JENNIFER LOPEZ - STEAL THE SHOW AT LAVISH FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA
HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES