Actor’s stunning Californian home is on the market
HISTORIC HOME IS A FORT TO BE RECKONED WITH
STANDING in more than 300 acres of south Ayrshire countryside, and towering over the River Doon, Cassillis has both a fascinating – and quite gruesome – past, combined with a claim to fame.
Taking its name from the Gaelic for stone fort, it’s one of Scotland’s most historic houses, dating back to the early 1400s. It stayed in the same family, the Kennedys, from the early 15th century until 2009, passing from one Earl of Cassillis to the next.
The Earls of Cassillis were actually so powerful that in the 16th and 17th centuries they were known as the Kings of Carrick, whose turbulent tenure was described by one historian as “one long catalogue of violence, savagery and sudden death.”
Happily, its more recent past has been far less bloody. In fact, a four-year renovation by the present owner featured in BBC’s Restoration Homes.
Work included the rebuilding of the tower roofs and remodelling of rooms to create 13 bedrooms, seven with en-suite facilities and five with dressing rooms.
Laid out over five floors, with three reception rooms, a ballroom, cinema and gym, the house still retains many historic features including a spiral staircase built clockwise to ensure easy defence by a right-handed swordsman! A coach house, garden cottage and west gate lodge have also been restored.
■ Cassillis is for sale through Savills, savills.com
Clockwise from above, the deck area, one of the bathrooms, Robin Williams, and the spectacluar view
HE LEFT a legacy of big screen memories when he died in 2014, now the North Californian home of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams is up for sale. Perched on the edge of San Francisco Bay, the modern Mediterranean property has gone on the market with real estate agents Compass for £6,950,000.
The stunning home is where the Mrs Doubtfire actor lived with his third wife, Susan Schneider, before his death.
It’s close to the centre of San Francisco and the busy city, but 95 St Thomas Way couldn’t provide a more peaceful haven, with unobstructed views of the ocean.
They can be seen at their best at the rear of the house, where there’s a spacious pool and deck area – open to the whole back of the home – which would be great for entertaining, and floor to ceiling windows in the living area.
At the front, a beautifully kept garden is filled with
INTERIOR designer Gianni Camilotti has received much praise for this church conversion in Chingford.
The Grade II listed former United Reformed Church was revamped by a local company in 2004, but it is current owner Camilotti who’s transformed it into the masterpiece which has won three international design and architecture awards.
Now for sale with Savills at £1.5m, Spicer Hall is an answer olive trees and rose bushes.
As you might expect from any celebrity home, the interior is just as impressive. There’s a spacious living area and formal dining room in the single-storey home, and a dining kitchen with a walk-in pantry, leading to a customised media room.
The extensive master bedroom suite, which has east and south-facing views of the Bay and direct access to the rear deck, has a luxurious bedroom to a prayer for anyone looking for a period property with a breathtaking interior.
This stunning two-bedroom home has original high ceilings, stained glass windows, and oak doors and beams, combining with cutting edge interior design.
Entrance to the property is via a double door with gothic brick arched surround, and the impressive reception area is separated into three: the main and en-suite bathroom with standalone bath and steam shower for two, two huge walk-in wardrobes and a private dark-wood study.
There are two other large en-suite bedrooms and a kids’ sleepover bunk room – the house has six bedrooms in all, although the sixth could be used as an office.
Other features include a laundry room with extra refrigerator, en-suite au-pair suite accommodation, and three-car garage. It has carpets throughout, adding extra cosiness – not that a new owner will need it with temperatures averaging 23-degrees. ■ 95 St Thomas Way is for sale with Compass, £6,950,000, compass.com
reception room, kitchen and dining room, and a workstation. The rest of the ground floor houses a utility room, cloakroom and storage space. An open staircase leads to the two bedrooms – both of which have dressing rooms and en-suites, separated by a long landing. Outside is a driveway and a pretty garden. ■ Spicer Hall, Chingford, is for sale with Savills, priced £1.5m, savills.com