• Home
  • About
  • Living Simply
  • Life & Living
  • Travel
    • Our Trips
  • Movies
  • Home & Garden
    • House Tours
  • Entertaining & Holidays
  • In the Kitchen
    • Recipes
  • Archives
  • Contact
ouremptynest

living simply ♥ simply living well

winner

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
29 May 2022

House Tours

Living Like a Star

It’s hard to imagine living in a world where money is never an issue.

Architectural Digest, March 2010

Architectural Digest, March 2010.

Tom says everything is relative. The more you make, the more you spend . . . the higher your standard of living . . . the more it costs to live . . . and so on and so forth. He says people with a lot of money have the same issues we do, but on a different level. And, he says, someone living in tract housing might look at us—meaning Tom and me—and say we have a lot of money.

Except the part about us having a lot of money (we don’t), this all may be true, but still . . .

Movie stars and celebrities have more money than most of us. They eat at the best restaurants, wear designer clothes, drive imported cars, and travel the globe at a moment’s notice, flying in their own private jets and vacationing at resort hotels or on private islands that cost more than many people make in a year.

It’s a whole other world, and they live in it. They can afford to buy things we mere mortals can only dream about. Sometimes I find it staggering to learn just how much they actually do spend. For instance, $10 million on a Kardashian wedding . . . seriously?

So, it’s always refreshing to hear when a big-name Hollywood star comes down to earth for a little while to live like the rest of us.

(Photo: Realtor.com)

I’m talking about Jennifer Aniston. She recently sold her 10,000 square foot, Beverly Hills estate (for a cool $38 million) and is now moving into a cozy-by-comparison rented house with her boyfriend, Justin Theroux. The furnished house has a spacious floor plan, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, two bedrooms, two baths, and is just 1,761 square feet.

in her own words

“I knew I really needed to simplify my life,” she told People mag when she decided to sell her sprawling, extensively-renovated, Zen-infused digs. “I had the realization that it is just too much for me. I’m not this person.”

The house she’s renting is nice, comfortable, and spacious. No more, or less, elegant than the house Tom and I live in—though it is smaller than ours, and I wouldn’t mind moving in and replacing some of the furniture in it with mine.

(Photo: Realtor.com)

Hardwood flooring, vaulted ceilings, and built-ins are nice architectural touches.
(Photo: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)

Dining area is spacious enough to comfortably host a small dinner party.
(Photo: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)

I prefer a kitchen open to the living area . . . but this one is updated nicely.
(Photo: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)

Kitchen has thick marble countertops, open shelving, and stainless appliances.
(Photo: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)

Master bedroom is light and airy with a vaulted, white paneled ceiling.
(Photo: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)
(Photo: Realtor.com)
(Photo: Realtor.com)
(Photo: Realtor.com)

[left to right] 1. Master bath with its double sinks and mirrors; 2. Master bath’s garden tub is encased in marble; 3. Master bath has marble flooring and a vaulted, white paneled ceiling; 4. In the guest bath, a small leaded glass window above the mirror is a nice touch. (Photos: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)

Cozy guest bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and fireplace. (Photo: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)

Garage has been converted into a family room / office area. (Photo: Realtor.com)

(Photo: Realtor.com)
(Photo: Realtor.com)
(Photo: Realtor.com)

The back terrace and pool area is sheltered and private. The deck has a sweeping view of the Hollywood hills. (Photos: Realtor.com)

Though, by definition, Jennifer Aniston is not an empty nester—she has no children who’ve flown the nest (and, no, Brad Pitt does not count as a child)—her nest is as empty as ours.

Selling her estate and scaling down to a smaller house makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is why this house costs a whopping $17,500 per month to rent. In our neck of the woods, a house like this might rent for $1,750 per month, if not less. But I guess everything is relative. By virtue of its location and the rich-and-famous clientele it attracts, this house can command more.

It remains to be seen if Miz Aniston will remodel or update. She spent untold millions renovating her sprawling estate before deciding to simplify, and she may want to spend a bit to turn this new house into a cozy home.

Then, again, the rental is only temporary. The A-list couple are house hunting and plan to move on just as soon as they find a place to buy. Bigger? Probably. Better? Maybe. One thing is for sure—it will cost millions.

Source/Photos: Realtor.com.
Cover Photo: Architectural Digest.
« Going Green
Grilled Mexican Corn for 2 »

More to explore and enjoy . . .

  • Tiny Gardener's Cottage
  • Downsizing for $4.3 Million
  • Cozy Little Guest House
  • Living Like a Star
  • Stunning West Seattle Redo
  • Cabin in the Woods
  • Lovely Down Under
  • Sisse's Fab Farmhouse
  • Cottage Charm at the Beach
  • Everyone Loves a Parade
  • Sarah's Country Home
  • From Little to Luxurious Loft
  • Going Green
  • Old Garage Upcycled
  • Maine Island Home

Comments

  1. Judi says

    Monday, December 12, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I wouldn’t mind living like a star, but I honestly like my house better. This one is too brown and beige and off-white all over. I need color.

    Reply
  2. Chrissie says

    Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Hi Patricia, Chrissie again, just noticed you put me in your Favourite Places – thanks so much. When I work out how to return the favour I will put you in my Nest Links! (I am very new to this blogging world, but learning very quickly). I’m in Australia, you’re in the US? Take care x

    Reply
  3. Chrissie says

    Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    I have just found your blog, Patricia, and love it! Of course, anything to do with the lovely Jennifer is a plus too. Chrissie x

    Reply

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Patricia and TomHi there! Tom and I are two empty nesters who decided to downsize and simplify our lives—lose the clutter and drama, travel a little, laugh a lot, sit back, and enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer. Read more

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The cook

From Our Kitchen

Sausagekraut
Grilled Mexican Corn
Best Guacamole Ever
Cashew-Rice Pilaf
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Corn and Fritos Salad

view all recipes ...

Afternoon Tea—a good reason to get together. https://t.co/XlhQAxeRrS pic.twitter.com/fJLa88sVa6

— Our Empty Nest (@ouremptynest) January 4, 2017
Home

House Tours

  • Cottage Charm at the Beach
  • Cabin in the Woods
  • Cozy Little Guest House
  • Tiny Gardener's Cottage
  • From Little to Luxurious Loft
  • Sarah's Country Home
  • Everyone Loves a Parade
  • Maine Island Home
  • Sisse's Fab Farmhouse
  • Stunning West Seattle Redo
  • Old Garage Upcycled
  • Lovely Down Under
  • Living Like a Star
  • Going Green
  • Downsizing for $4.3 Million

view all house tours ...

Daisy in field

Simplify Simplify Simplify

For some time now I’ve been walking around with three words at the top of my To Do List—simplify simplify simplify. I know it’s just one ... continue reading ...

Trips and travels

Our Trips & Travels

Where the deer and the antelope roam.

Cody to Yellowstone

What should have been an easy one-hour drive from Cody to Yellowstone turned into a full-day affair that took us through some of the most breathtakingly beautiful country I have ever seen.

THE HORSES OF WYOMING by Tom Schmidt, watercolor, 2012.
Buffalo Bill Reservoir.
American bison resting in Yellowstone National Park.
Pallet of soft green, offset by deep red earth.

view all trips ...

AWARD 2015 WINNERFlipkey

Latest on Instagram


Patio with a view. #ourhouse #ourpond #ourview #su
Patio with a view. #ourhouse #ourpond #ourview #summertime

My lunch today was a quick-and-easy combo of icebe
My lunch today was a quick-and-easy combo of iceberg lettuce, eggs, ham, turkey, shredded lettuce, and walnuts. So simple and simply delicious. #lunch #whatsforlunch #eatinghealthy

A fat bouquet from my husband. Just because. #love
A fat bouquet from my husband. Just because. #love #howdoilovethee

Once upon a time, I did embroidery. #needlework #w
Once upon a time, I did embroidery. #needlework #wallart

Room with a view.
Room with a view.

Mid-morning snack. #bananas #blueberries #cherryto
Mid-morning snack. #bananas #blueberries #cherrytomatoes

The Enloe bookcase I ordered last November finally
The Enloe bookcase I ordered last November finally came, and I've loaded it with some of my favorite books, photos, and other items--all with special meaning and memories. Holders for my collection of Victoria magazines, which are too beautiful to toss, are on order. No more books for me. This bookcase is full. #books #bookcase #bookworm

Still blooming after ten years. #flowerpower #flow
Still blooming after ten years. #flowerpower #flowers #indoorplants

Our room with a view. #fountain #backyard #pond
Our room with a view. #fountain #backyard #pond


Follow on Instagram


Fine Art for Your Home

OUR EMPTY NEST

Favorite Recipes
Our Trips and Travels
Recommended Reading
Favorite Films

NEED A WEB DESIGNER?

Hire Patricia Petro
Portfolio
Praise for Patricia
New Project Questionnaire

QUICK LINKS

Newsletter
Free Downloads
Terms of Use
Original Art by Tom Schmidt

CONTACT

Patricia and Tom
Findlay, OH USA
patpetro@msn.com

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
»
«

Our Empty Nest EST.2002 • Copyright © 2022 Patricia Petro • All rights reserved • Terms of Use • Design by Sweet Solutions • Powered by WordPress and Genesis • LOGIN

Copyright © 2022 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in