The Warner Estate, Los Angeles, CA
Artist/Designer:
William (Billy) Haines
Project Location:
California, United States
Figure 1: "The grand two-story entrance hall featured a parquetry floor, cantilevered curving stairs, cut-glass chandelier and a set of paintings by the circle of Giuseppe Arcimboldo."--from Architectural Digest, April 1992, page 134.
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 2: "In the oval ladies' sitting room are a late-19th century gilt Venetian mirror, a Neoclassical chandelier, a three-seat Louis XV-style confidante and a pair of blackamoor pedestals flanking the fireplace."--from Architectural Digest, April 1992, page 136
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 3: "The Warners entertained regularly, but perhaps their largest fete-for about 300 guests-celebrated the unveiling of Salvador Dali's portrait of Ann Warner, set into the sunroom's Gothic overmantel."--from Architectural Digest, April 1992, page 136
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 4: "Adjoining the sunroom and off the entrance hall was the main living room, which contained a fraction of the Warners' antiques, such as George III mahogany armchairs, a George III-style library table and cut-glass chandelier and an early George III lady's writing desk. Uber the arched doorways are two sets of 18th-century Chinese painted wallpaper panels."--from Architectural Digest, April 1992, page 137
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 5: "In many ways the library was the most important room, for the Warners edited many of Warner Bros.' early films there. The space was decorated with low furniture that Jack Warner preferred because of his height, a collection of every movie script the studio produced and Louis XV-style painted panels."--from Architectural Digest, April 1992, page 139. Behind the curtains is a concealed movie screen that was "raised with the help of a water pump, and the front sofa was rotated to provide viewing."
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 6: Another view of the library showing the hand-painted Chinese panels and the mirrored fireplace wall.
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 7: "Next to the screening room was the bar, which was ornamented by two monumental circa 1760 Mexican candlesticks and a circa 1820 Mexican chandelier. Behind the bar are Tang Dynasty pottery and figures; in the center is a statue of Guanyin, of whom Ann Warner was a devotee. Her interest in Buddhism appeared in Guanyin figures placed throughout the house."--from Architectural Digest, April 1992, page 140
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 8: "In the dining room, decorated with early 19th-century wallpaper panels, a table is surrounded by 14 of the Warners' 48 Regency-style armchairs, George III mahogany urns and pedestals, and a Carrara marble and lapis lazuli mantelpiece."--from Architectural Digest, April 1992, page 140.
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Figure 9: Architect Roland E. Coate designed the 13,000 square foot house that sits on a ten-acre estate.
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Photographer: Jeffrey Hayden for Architectural Digest, April 1992 issue )
Style/Period(s):
Revival Styles
Primary Material(s):
Wood, Stone, Fabric, Wall Paper
Function(s):
Residential Structure
Related Website(s):
Significant Date(s):
1937, 20th Century
Additional Information:
Lockwood, Charles. "Jack L. Warner: The Beverly Hills Estate of the Archetypal Hollywood Mogul", Architectural Digest, April 1992.
"Designer William Haines' Outspoken Comments", Architectural Digest, September/October 1972.
Schifando, Peter and Jean H. Mathison. Class Act: William Haines, Legendary Hollywood Decorator (New York: Pointed Leaf Press, 2005).
Mann, William J. Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star (Penguin Books, 1998).
Mann, William J. "William Haines: Creator of a Smart New Look for the Hollywood Scene", Architectural Digest, January 2000.