Catamount

Catamount: California

If you're staying in the Hollywood Hills, you may as well do it properly. And at this home in Laurel Canyon, fabulous mountain views, a private pool and numerous balconies and terraces really set the scene. Built into the hillside, it's a new home with a mix of contemporary styling and timeless elegance. If you're hoping for glamour, it's here in bucket loads.

Inside, all-white walls, trendy wall art and floor-to-ceiling windows are matched with a luxury chef's kitchen, a cinema room, a wine cellar and six dreamy bedrooms. But our favourite room has to be the lounge with its striking fireplace, squashy velvet sofas in shades of rose and raspberry, and giant sliding glass doors opening to either side. Choose to step out onto the balcony for the best views or head out to the garden at the back for a swim in the Baja pool. In the evenings, heat up the grill for a barbecue on the covered dining terrace and then sit around one of the fire pits for drinks as the sun sets. Just a few minutes' drive from Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset, and around twenty from DTLA, it's a perfect location in the hills.


Home truths:
*There's private parking for up to four cars, with a garage and drive
*The Baja pool is saltwater – better for sensitive skin
*The home is multi-level and built into the hillside but there's a lift
*You'll have plenty of laptop-friendly workspace
*The home has forced-air heating