Tour Dita Von Teese's Eclectic Home

Dita Von Teese is known for being an over-the-top but elegant exotic dancer who borrows from the Vargas-style pin-up girls of the 1940s. It's retro meets romantic with a touch of sizzle. And her Tudor Revival–style home in Los Angeles – which is 3,200 square feet with four bedrooms — is a reflection of her performance style. Every square inch of the property is covered in intrigue, making for a visual delight. 

She bought the property in 2015 but needed to spruce it up before she called it home because the walls were all white, something she is not too fond of, the star told Architectural Digest during her home tour. Von Teese added her unique touch of "maximalism," as she calls it. The dancer decorated the large rooms with wood beam ceilings with plenty of jewel tones — think emerald, sapphire, and tourmaline — and she added accents everywhere, like exotic feathers, taxidermy animals, and unusual antiques that excite the eye. And the paintings of glamorous women can be found in just about every room. "I've collected a lot of this art over the years that inspired my pin-up career," she shared. It's hard to look away from what she has put together because so many items are rich in history, like the letter signed by 1950s model Bettie Paige. Take a look at the beauty's hideaway that is so fascinating; it deserves more than a quick glance.

Dita Von Teese lives in a Tudor home from 1927 that is full of older details like wood floors, a wide staircase, a step-down conversation pit-style living room, and real working fireplaces. Von Teese told Architectural Digest that she likes the feeling of the '20s and '30s in her home, living similarly to folks from those decades. "It made a big difference to me when I was buying the house that someone lived here for so long and raised their children here. The owner even got married here." 

She moved into the dwelling in 2015 and made it hers with murals, antiques, and paintings galore. The old-fashioned property also has plenty of backyard space as was typical of homes built in the 1920s, and there is also a pool house that has been turned into an old English pub, keeping in step with the Tudor theme. Tudor homes became popular in England, according to Britannica, and the name Tudor comes from the Tudor monarchs, who were in power between 1485 and 1558. The characteristics of Tudor homes are V-shaped rooftop accents, rectangular-shaped windows, wood-paneled walls, and cornices. Tudor homes are often used in movies based on Jane Austen books, like the English Tudor manor Haddon Hall in Derbyshire that was featured in 2011's "Jane Eyre" and 2005's "Pride & Prejudice," according to Locations Hub.

Most kitchens these days are either white or pale gray. It's very uncommon to see any color used. But then again, Dita Von Teese is not interested in being common. One of the selling points of the home was that the kitchen lacked renovations, and she wanted it to be as original as possible, she told Architectural Digest. She went with a British racing green theme. There are green accents everywhere in this room, like the green tiles on the floor, the green wallpaper, green in her floral-themed chandelier, and green glass on the cabinets. Even the oven is green. 

But there are plenty of other colors too, like the copper ceiling that matches the faucet and the air vent over the oven. Interior designer Kathryn Greely has said that copper is perfect for creating a cozy kitchen. "I love the warmth of a copper collection in a kitchen. To me, this says ... it's fall, now time to come inside and cook up lots of comfort food!" she shared on her website. "And nothing says 'French kitchen' like a beautiful copper collection with lots of patina from years of use!" And on her site, she shows that one of the easiest ways to incorporate copper in a kitchen is to hang copper pots from the walls or ceiling. She ends her post with a photo of celebrity chef Julia Childs with her copper pots behind her as she says, "And if you desire to 'be like Julia' start a copper collection immediately!"

A living room is a place to unwind. But in Dita Von Teese's house, it is a place to let the eye wander as there are items all over the place, from floor to ceiling. She said during her home tour that she is a "maximalist," not a minimalist, and that is why she has layers and layers of tchotchkes everywhere. What stands out first are the taxidermy leopard, birds, and rabbit. She said they all come from "ethical" taxidermists who only use animals that die from natural causes. Then there are her mismatched sofas — one has a floral print while the other is gray. 

There is also an antique wood china cabinet full of dolls and feathers that look like they took decades to collect. There are plenty of paintings on the walls as well, mostly of scantily clad pinup women from the 1940s. In the corner is an old standing wood clock. There is a bookshelf nearby with antique books — as well as books she wrote herself — statues of women, several lamps, and framed photos. Even the drapes scream fun, as they are pale pink taffeta. Interior designer Janelle Blakeley suggests how to mix colors and patterns. "I think we've all seen the colorful vignettes containing perfectly karate-chopped pillows in different colors and patterns ... but did you know that patterns do more for your space than simply look pretty?' she said. "Patterns can add interest."

An explosion of color is the only way to describe this dining room that harks back to Hollywood's Golden Age. There is a long dining room table with an antique, painted glass top. But the eyes first go to the wood Chinese-style red chairs that have floral print-covered seats. Von Teese explained to Architectural Digest that she'd discovered the dining room set at a flea market and tracked down a favorite fabric she'd once seen at the Jacques Garcia Hotel in Paris, and reupholstered the chairs.

Designer Sarah Jacquelyn has shared that redoing chairs can be very satisfying if the wood is still in good shape. And if done right, it can keep the "beautiful antique quality" while adding a modern touch. The walls are also full of fun as they are Tiffany blue with white and gray ornate designs. One of the most intriguing things is a mirror on the wall with a gold tube of lipstick attached to a chain so that Von Teese can touch up her lips in the middle of a dinner party without having to run to the bathroom. A green, black, and gold credenza is to the side of the room with a mirror above to make the room look bigger. And that's not all! There is also a balcony that has a café table and chairs.

A large swimming pool can be found in her backyard, but Dita Von Teese hardly ever uses it because it's not heated, even pointing out it was freezing in those waters during her home tour. Instead, she likes to sit around the pool in one of her welcoming lounge chairs that line the pool. The crafty star pointed out her love of collecting vintage patio furniture and that she enjoys redoing the cushions on her own. In fact, she said she'd redone the one pictured at least three different times in different colors/patterns.  

Von Teese eluded to her excitement over her latest purchase because it has metal tassels on the side, which were popular in the 1930s. There is also a tall stand-alone umbrella that has fringe on the scalloped hem. Around the pool area are several mature lemon trees that add a dash of color. Sweenor Builders' Interior Designer Kristen Martone said that the latest trend in decorating a backyard is to achieve a "staycation" feel because so many more people are staying at home since the start of the pandemic. She likes to think of activities that would make that staycation fun, "from a grill and eating area to conversation areas, a fire pit, lawn, pool, and outdoor shower," shared Martone.

There is a nice treat in her backyard. Dita Von Teese has turned her pool house into an old-fashioned-looking pub complete with old wooden chairs, a red leather cushioned sofa, Toby Jugs, and a bar. Since pubs are a typical feature of English Tudor homes, Von Teese figured she should have one and even had the stained glass put in the windows. "It has little things that I like in there; there's a swan, there's a feather, a rose, a glass of champagne, and a magic mushroom." There is a red leather banquette that doubles as a storage unit to hold pool toys. And she also said the pub was just one more place to collect stuff, including Toby Jugs. 

Though the room is small, it looked like it could fit six people comfortably during those warm summer nights. Though pubs are frequently believed to have been invented in the United Kingdom, they really first became popular in ancient Rome, according to The Brew Enthusiast. When the Romans started building roads to the West, they added a tavern every 20 miles so their armies could freshen up. And later, villages popped up around these taverns, which evolved into bistros in France and pubs in England. They became meeting places where locals could share advice and talk politics.

Downstairs there is a room she calls her "woman cave" that is filled with some of her favorite possessions. During her home tour, Dita Von Teese mentions that she enjoys collecting Hollywood memorabilia. In her collection is a corset that Natalie Wood wore when she played burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee in the 1962 film "Gypsy." Von Teese also has a corset that Betty Grable wore in one of her films in the late '40s and a letter signed by Bettie Page. 

Not only does she love "pieces" of history, but Von Teese expresses her love of owning and looking at art. There are paintings from one of her favorite artists, Peter Driben. "I have four paintings from him, which also appear on a men's magazine. Bettie Page posed for these kinds of things, and they're kind of, they're men's magazines, they're racy." There is a large bookshelf and also paintings and photos of herself. "This is kind of just like an area I've put pictures of myself 'cause I'm too embarrassed to put them up on the main walls," she noted. Mixing and matching is fine as long as there is balance, designer Amy Lau told Elle Decor. "There should be a harmony among the color spectrum and lines within a room ... Mixing the type of furniture, textiles, illumination, and art with different textures and complementary tones is essential to creating a unique space that is both transcendent and elegant," she noted.

The shoe closet is quite the room with rows and rows of orange-red shelves filled with kicks arranged by color. There are rows of black, silver, gold, pink, and purple heels. And she also has ballet flats on the bottom. Dita Von Teese noted to Architectural Digest that she has a shoe designer friend and owns many of their shoes. One pair stands out from the rest. "These are embroidered from a house called Lessage, and they also have these little Marie Antoinettes on them, and they have my name on it, it says 'These are Dita's, with love from Christian [Louboutin],'" she shared. 

In the same room is her vintage hat collection that looks like they are from the 1940s. One even has a fake parrot attached on the side. And on one wall features her brooch collection inside scarlet frames. "I love collecting big, fancy broaches. Everybody needs a rhinestone praying mantis," she joked. Creating a shoe closet is not that challenging as long as you have an extra room in your house. Closet Factory suggests buying matching shelves and lining them in rows or against the walls. And the latest trend is to make the shoe closet look like a library with floor-to-ceiling shelves, LED backlighting, and even a rolling ladder to get the shoes on top. And don't forget a library chair like a wingback, so you have somewhere to sit when trying on those heels.

The bedroom is the one room in the house that is all one color: a light silver gray. Dita Von Teese told Architectural Digest that this was her minimalistic style, using light colors and keeping the clutter at bay. The bed is covered in satin with a mirror on the headboard. "My friend Stasha and I designed this bed after a Mae West bed; Mae West famously had mirrors all over her bedroom because she said she liked to see how she was doing," noted the star. The antique end tables and chest of drawers are a matte silver with acrylic handles that she painstakingly repaired. And her drapes that she designed with her boyfriend are a cool silver satin color as well. 

One of the most beautiful pieces in the room is her old-fashioned mirrored makeup table, which is an authentic vanity from the '30s. Vanities were not invented until the 17th century in Europe, when wealthy women who were socially ambitious wanted to sit down in front of a mirror to brush their hair, add perfume, and check their complexion, per The Met. Vanities became popular in America in the 19th century with one in nearly every upscale bedroom. The Chippendale design became the most popular, with colonial designs taking off later on. Hollywood films from the 1920s introduced art deco vanities with chrome and enamel, which became a symbol of sophistication that lasted until the 1950s.

This Tudor house is exceptional because it offers at least two small balconies off other rooms. One patio space that is just off the master bedroom has a metal sofa with a green and white striped cushion and floral print pillows with a chair to the side and a small glass coffee table. Mature trees where hummingbirds flock can be seen in the background; they also provide some shade. This space is where Dita Von Teese unwinds with her cat Allister. 

There is another patio off the dining room, where she told Architectural Digest she likes to watch the hummingbirds fight over the feeder while enjoying her cup of tea. And she planted red geraniums for a very personal reason: "I'm obsessed with [geraniums] because I'm from Michigan and I used to go to this place called the Grand Hotel, and so people from Michigan will know about this, but it's just the longest porch in the world, and it's just tons of boxes of red geraniums, so it's one of those childhood obsessions that has spilled over into my life." 

When decorating a patio, think about the sun. Interior designer Kelly Wearstler talked to MasterClass about checking out the light before buying pieces: "When I start a project... I love to go to the site and sit in the space," Kelly explained. "I look at every elevation, north, south, east, and west, and see: Where's the sun rising? Where is the sun setting?"

She has a fondness for stuffed animals, but all her taxidermy pets came to be in an ethical way, Dita Von Teese said during her home tour. When in her living room, she pointed to a stuffed bunny. "This is a new art piece that a friend of mine from Australia sent to me that does ethical taxidermy of things that died naturally, and she made this bunny a little tailcoat," said the star. The bunny is just one of about a dozen taxidermy items. There are two swans in the entranceway as well as a peacock, a leopard in the living room, and several stuffed Victorian-era birds in glass domes that she is so attached to that she has hand-carried them herself every time she has moved. 

According to Curious Nature Shop, ethical taxidermy is when the animal was not hunted but died naturally. Or they use vintage taxidermy animals and bring them back to life through careful restoration. And the site added that having animals that have been taxidermied around helps educate people about animals and brings awareness to help with their conservation. Taxidermy has been popular for centuries, and the oldest known piece is a crocodile that hangs inside Santuario Madonna Delle Lacrime Immacolate (or Sanctuary of Our Lady of Immaculate Tears) in Ponte Nossa, Italy, according to Ripley's. The item is believed to be nearly 600 years old and has lasted so long because of its thick skin.

Collecting antiques was a natural for Dita Von Teese. "I started wearing vintage clothes because I couldn't afford all the cool designer jeans my friends had, and then that kind of spilled over into collecting vintage and antique things for my home," the star told Architectural Digest during her home tour. And collect she has! There are stunning pieces in every room of the home that look like they could date back 100 years. 

One of the most prized items is a pink and pale wood phonograph — which is an early incarnation of the record player — in her living room. And this item may be more than 100 years old as Thomas Edison debuted the phonograph in 1877, according to Smithsonian magazine. There is also a wood stand-alone grandfather clock that looks like it belongs to a museum. And she has a thing for vintage feathers too, which she stores in a China cabinet. "I have a lot of collections of my vintage feathers from back in the days when ladies used to wear big, beautiful feathers in their hats, and you know, they don't make them like this anymore, I promise you," said the dancer during her home tour. According to The Vintage Handbook, flappers in the 1920s loved to wear feathers like peacock feathers on their dresses because they moved well when they danced.

Some of the best antiques can be found at flea markets, which Dita Von Teese is very aware of. She said during her home tour that she picked up her dining room set at a flea market and remodeled it to her taste. One of the sofas in the living room was from a flea market, and Von Teese had it covered with print fabric. There are also statues, wine glasses, and paintings from flea markets. And she shared that when she is on the road touring, she picks up fun items and adds them to her touring van, which is full of her props. 

She told Architectural Digest a story about how she happened upon a fish bowl she could not live without. "This is an antique fishbowl that I bought when I was on my last U.S. tour. I love going on tour 'cause I have a semi-truck filled with all my lighting and my props and all my gear, and I love to go to the antique stores and throw more stuff on there, and my crew hates it, but I do, I bring them like this fishbowl and tell them, 'Find a spot for that.'" Shopping at flea markets can be stressful because so much is going on, but Leslie from My 100 Year Old Home has some excellent tips like arriving early, bringing cash, carrying your own bags, and having measurements for furniture written down in advance.

There are several old books in her home. One is called "Josephine," another is about Vogue, and she has "A Pictorial History Of Burlesque," fittingly. And she said during her home tour that her vintage books have helped educate her on her strip tease profession. "These are all my vintage and rare books like this is a fun one, this is a very rare one. It's been a source of truth in burlesque, and when you look at this book, you realize that burlesque was not all Gypsy Rose Lee or like the movie portrayed burlesque, but really it was kind of a glorified strip club ... and this book is the proof," she explained proudly of the book titled "Strip Tease." 

Per Bauman Rare Books, a book collector should choose books that excite them. They also recommend finding a trusty expert to consult with on prices and authenticity as not all books are stamped with their date and edition numbers. Dita Von Teese is far from the only celebrity book collector. According to Atkins Bookshelf, the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld had 300,000 rare books in his library. And Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone has a vast collection of rare books from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as "Complete Writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne" (1900) and "War And Peace" by Leo Tolstoy (1886), but they are no longer in his possession as he sold them at auction in 2017.