The Irene Dunne Site
Irene Dunne's 'Dream Castle' Crossed Continent Many Times on Paper Before It Was Built
Four of Hollywood's leading feminine stars, the mother of one and the wife of another present in this series of six illustrated articles their own descriptions of their new homes they have built and furnished near the screen capital in recent months. In the first, Irene Dunne tells of her "Home, Sweet Home."
By IRENE DUNNE
CHOOSING a homesite, building the kind of place I had always wanted, then furnishing it myself, proved an experience as fascinating as any role I ever played on the screen.
I always wanted to build, instead of buy. Not that I haven't seen many homes anyone would envy. But invariably, upon inspecting such a home, I have started to rebuild it mentally. No matter how satisfying, I would wish something different.
So, it was inevitable that I would dream out my own place, then have an architect realize it in stone.
Found Ideal Tract
Last summer when my husband, Dr. Francis Griffin of New York, managed to find time for a few weeks in Hollywood, we began to look for a suitable site. After traversing what seemed like most of southern California, we chose a rolling, wooded two-acre tract in Beverly Hills. It commanded an magnificent expanse of Hollywood and the surrounding area, and had the advantage of being only 15 minutes by auto from my studio.
Being a working woman, I couldn't afford to live too far away from my job!
Our architect began to work on the plans, but had hardly started before Dr. Griffin was called back to his New York practice, and I was cast in "Theodora Goes Wild." As a consequence, Theodora and the house grew up at the same time.
Our architect would confer with me on the set of in my dressing room. Much of the time I didn't know whether I was studying my script or blueprints!
Then we, in turn, would airmail the plans, one detail at a time, to my husband for his approval. Those plans, rest assured, changed shape innumerable times in the course of their crossing the country.
My Painting Room
Finally, however, the house was finished - on paper. And there, I am convinced, is where every home should be finished first. Too many people change their minds when construction is actually under way. Such a practice is expensive and unnecessary. The time to add that extra closet or to alter a room is before the carpenters go to work.
Once building began the house was rapidly finished, and became a modified English manor ... of white brick.
On the first of the two floors is a small reception hall, leading to a drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen and to a library of which both my husband and I make considerable use, and a den. The last-named is tiny and ... enclosed. I call it the painting room, and there I do most of my daubing with oils.
Upstairs are four bedroom suites. The first is my husband's, and consists of bedroom, dressing room and bath. Two similar ones are for guests. My own has a boudoir, sleeping porch, dressing room, bedroom and bath.
THE modified English manor house looming up behind Irene Dunne was "dreamed out" by the movie actress herself, and its blueprints shuttled back and forth across the country for corrections by her husband in New York.
Seperate Servant Quarters
Servants' quarters are located seperate from the house. Build to accomodate four people, they are connected with the main dwelling by a covered terrace.
Perhaps the most useful room we have isn't a room at all, but a covered porch. It is downstairs and the site of most our meals.
One guest suite has been remodeled since the house was completed. It was converted into a modern nursery for our adopted daughter, Mary Frances, who is now 18 months old.
The furnishings throughout the house are comfortable, I hope, but certainly they are not luxurious. Quality, rather than ornate appearance, was the basis of their selection. They are of the same period as the house, but "stylized" in keeping with the modern trend. In other words, a little American ... French empire, renaissance and English tudor all rub elbows in the same room.
I am especially proud of the floor coverings. Dr. Griffin and I found time for a European trip, a few months ago, and one of the countries wie visited was Austria. We were greatly impressed by the craftmanship of native rug workers. Such rugs would never wear out, I thought! So, without letting the impulse pass, we then and there bought all our floor coverings.
Secret Stairway
Some are in solid colors, others in floral designs. But all are almost too beautiful to walk upon, and give every evidence of lasting forever.
One feature of the house that gives me no end of delight is a secret stairway. It connects the library downstairs with my bedroom above, and saved countless steps because one can go back and forth without passing through the outer rooms.
Varies species of evergreen trees dot the grounds, and provide a pretty approach to the "Home, Sweet Home" I always wanted.
(The Milwaukee Journal, August 9, 1937)