Famous cribs

Queen of the castle

Natalie Portman is notoriously private. Shortly after Black Swan, the actress announced her pregnancy with then-choreographer, Benjamin Millepied, whom she later married in an intimate ceremony. It seems fitting that her home, a medieval mini manor, complete with sanctuary-style windows, buttressed ceilings and French doors, is ideal for a life away from the madding crowd. The 1930s-era house has been described as the ‘trophy home of the neighbourhood’. Richard Stanley, a real estate agent, remarked, ‘‘Natalie wanted a property that had character and integrity, something that was special.’’

Blue streak

In actress Zooey Deschanel’s home, blue is the new white. And not just any blue, it’s about the blue-upon-blue layering of fabric, paint and patterns, even extending to blue stripes. Pops of red on lampshades and stools add a much-needed energy bost to the room. A blue gingham iron-wrought stool reminds one of Dorothy’s dress in the Wizard of Oz, which seems appropriate since Deschanel plays an updated Dorothy in Tin Man, the currently running, Emmy-nominated TV mini series.

Two to tango

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are one of the few celebrity couples to make do with a two-bedroom dwelling. Resident services in the W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences, where the reality couple stay, include the world-famous Whenever Whatever concierge service. While the condo features just two bedrooms and two bathrooms, the rest of the interiors seems surprisingly low-key, with just mother-ofpearl tiles in the bath and outdoor lounge sofas.

For the boys

Rapper Drake is known for his feuds with fellow musicians, Pusha T, Common, Chris Brown and Ludacris. So, we thought it particularly fitting when the musician recently bought a large, OTT million dollar pad, outside Los Angeles. A veritable playground, it has a tennis court, a riding ring and stables, a volleyball court, a home theatre, a wine cellar, a spa, a faux lake with a built-in cave and wet bar. And there’s a mechanical bull and 80-feet long water slide to prove that men are boys at heart.