Architectural Digest’s YouTube channel, and its “Open Door” series in particular, is one of life’s greatest gifts. It filled the void that MTV cribs left in its wake when the series ended in 2010… and we’re huge fans.
Because it’s not every day we real estate addicts get to see behind the closed doors of luxurious, extravagant, and quirky celebrity homes. From a converted windmill in the Hamptons and a duplex penthouse apartment at the Plaza Hotel in NYC to the mansions of the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, each home on this list will leave you both in awe and filled with inspiration.
These are the top 10 best Architectural Digest celebrity house tours…
1. Robert Downey Jr.
First up we have Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan Downey’s converted windmill abode. This is not your run-of-the-mill (see what we did there?) Hamptons summer home, it was designed by renowned New York City firm Fox-Nahem Associates who transformed the late-19th century windmill into a charming and very private East Hampton masterpiece with stunning grounds. The highlight? Susan’s office in the very top of the windmill is the ideal WFH situation and we couldn’t be more jealous.
In this very humorous home tour we get to see everything from Robert’s art projects and clutter closets to their table-side nap zone and numerous cats. If you’re in the mood for a chuckle, look no further.
2. Dakota Johnson
If you love all things mid-century modern, this is the celebrity home tour for you.
Architectural Digest kindly bring us inside the beautiful home of movie star Dakota Johnson. Formerly the home of director Ryan Murphy, Dakota purchased the super private Hollywood Hills home for $3.55 million in 2016. Features of envy include beautiful crushed mohair vintage sofas, her cozy office with book wall, gorgeous green kitchen, and backyard oasis complete with citrus trees, a heated swimming pool, and an elevated bamboo-sheltered hot tub area.
There isn’t an inch of this lush but humble abode that we don’t love.
3. Wiz Khalifa
This episode of “Open Door” is currently the most viewed of all time with 43 million views. It brings us inside Wiz Khalifa’s $4.6 million mansion and recording studio in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles.
The rapper’s super cool pad features a heated infinity pool with incredible views, a games room with a dab AND booze bar, an underground recording studio, weed-themed photo wall, and a fleet of killer cars. Proof that this man is living the dream.
4. Cara and Poppy Delevigne
You may never find more personality in a home thanks to the Delevigne sisters’ jungle-inspired home in Los Angeles.
Nicolò Bini of Line Architecture told Architectural Digest of the home, “I wanted to create a true L.A. moment for them, with nods to California midcentury modern, Laurel Canyon bohemia, Beverly Hills swank, surfing culture, and a little Mexico. Then we tied all that in with Cara and Poppy’s Englishness to give the house another layer of Delevingne charm.” The interior of this home is one-of-a-kind, no doubt about it.
Header image credit: Architectural Digest / Trevor Tondro
5. Zedd
Over in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, you’ll find producer and DJ Zedd’s $16 million mansion.
Highlights of this Architectural Digest “Open Door” episode include the incredible canyon and hill views, indoor trees, an art gallery, and a Skittle machine. Spanning a whopping 9,500 square feet, this mansion even has its own detached studio and gym and will soon have a separate “guest-house-bowling-alley-complex”. Casual…
You can understand why this is the second most viewed video on Architectural Digest’s YouTube with a staggering 43 million views.
6. Kendall Jenner
Next up we have supermodel and Kardashian clan member Kendall Jenner whose serene Los Angeles home was designed by Kathleen and Tommy Clements and Waldo Fernandez. The interior of the home blends super tasteful elements and earthy shades with fun, unexpected pops of color and a calm, peaceful atmosphere.
Keep an eye out for Kendall’s incredible art collection including a signature James Turrell ovoid wall sculpture as well as her incredible fireplace, beautiful bar, art studio, dream-worthy chef’s kitchen, gold bathtub, glam room, and so much more.
7. J Balvin
Travel with us to Colombia for this next “Open Door” episode where we get to explore superstar J Balvin’s tranquil home. Inspired by Japan aesthetics and minimalism, the house features floor-to-ceiling windows that bring nature indoors. The open plan kitchen and living room open up to the great outdoors, with a wonderful indoor / outdoor flow. The pool area is beyond dream-worthy and is surrounded by lush and tropical greenery and bonsai trees.
The minimalism and neutral color palette changes greatly when you enter J Balvin’s walk-in closet where over 850 pairs of sneaker line the walls in explosions of color. The man loves his shoes…
8. Hilary Duff
Next we’ll enjoy a tour of Hilary Duff’s vibrant, colorful, and cheerful family home in Los Angeles. A self-confessed home renovation addict, Hilary has renovated this house twice in the last eight years. The latest one has resulted in a quirky and somewhat eccentric aesthetic with a focus on family, livability, and large spaces to spend time in with beautiful art and tasteful features throughout.
The highlight of this home tour has got to be the chicken coop out in the back yard.
9. Tommy Hilfiger
Journey back to New York with us now for what may be the most luxurious and opulent home on this list. Legendary fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife Dee reportedly purchased this duplex penthouse apartment at the Plaza Hotel for $25.5 million in 2008 (they’ve since sold it for $31 million, although originally listed it for $80 million).
This Plaza apartment overlooks Central Park, with incredible views of the city as far as the eye can see. This particular unit steeped in history having once hosted the likes of The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, and many more iconic figures. You won’t find another apartment like this in New York City.
BROWSE: Homes for sale in New York here.
10. Aaron Paul
Come check out Aaron Paul’s custom wood and stone Idaho home. Despite the house being enormous, it has a very cozy, almost cabin-like vibe to it, tucked away in the snowy mountains and surrounded by trees and lakes. Just watching this home tour will make you feel warm ‘n’ fuzzy inside.
With the help of interior designer Jake Arnold and Pearson Design Group, the Pauls purchased and used the wood from three 120-year-old barns to build the house from scratch. Drool over the cathedral ceilings, vast living spaces, stone bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, and an incredible floor-to-ceiling fireplace.
Plus, a bonus one, but a must-watch nonetheless.
11. Naomi Campbell
Last but not least, we just haaad to include icon Naomi Campbell’s Kenya compound and airy villa. On the coast of the Indian Ocean, in the tranquil seaside town of Malindi, lies this tranquil and “very calming place”.
From the indoor/outdoor flow and two pools, to the restaurant-like outdoor dining area and on-site spa – we’ve never seen anything quite like this one… take a look for yourself.
You can check out our YouTube channel filled with house tours here!
