Description
Tucked away behind garden walls and framed by century-old trees, this historic Doheny property -- set on an oversized lot of nearly half an acre and featuring two distinct dwellings, each with its own provenance -- invites you into a world where time slows and every corner whispers a story. The estate embodies a passion for authenticity, artistry, and romance -- shaped most notably by antique dealer Gephard Durenberger, whose eye for European craftsmanship defined its timeless character and layered soul, and refined by interior designer Eric Guenther, whose stewardship has preserved its architectural integrity.
The story begins with the original 1925 cottage, envisioned as the first in a planned enclave of retreat cottages by Ned Doheny -- predating the iconic Doheny House by three years -- and reflecting classic Spanish Revival architecture. Intimate in scale yet rich in character, the two-bedroom, two-bath dwelling evokes a rustic European sensibility, enhanced by hand-troweled plaster walls embedded with straw, marbleized painted finishes, and antique windows and doors that allow the home to appear as if it could date from 1725-1925.
Decades later, the main house was added, continuing the narrative with reverence for the past. This two-bedroom, two-bath residence draws from European architectural traditions and features a cruciform layout anchored by a 24-foot-high folly that invites natural light to cascade through antique windows. Period details enrich every corner -- from a 15th-century entry door and reclaimed 19th-century pine floors to antique French tiles -- all contributing to the home's timeless atmosphere and authenticity.
The gardens, crafted by Florence Yoch -- the renowned landscape designer behind Tara's iconic grounds in Gone with the Wind -- unfold as intimate "rooms," originally conceived as nine distinct garden spaces framed by mature trees and hedges. Every view was carefully considered, preserving sightlines that connect house and garden as one harmonious whole. A Gothic aviary, French spire-turned-fountain, tea house, private pool, al fresco dining vignettes, and rose bushes gifted by the Duchess of Windsor enrich this poetic landscape.
A rare opportunity to own a property that has welcomed designers, dignitaries, and tastemakers, yet remains deeply personal -- a place where history, artistry, and the beauty of a life well-lived come together. Here, history is not just preserved; it is felt.
