Princess Charming

Princess Charming: California

We wouldn’t be surprised if the host of this century-old cottage was in fact a fairy godmother and the home itself were to turn back into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight. There's a distinct fairytale feel to the interior, which is bursting with folkloric design, a whimsical colour scheme and charming architectural features — chandeliers hang from the ceiling and gilded mirror frames sit on the wall waiting to be asked who's the fairest of them all. The one-time hunting lodge is tucked away in the rollings hills of Topanga, and surrounded by lush woodland and majestic mountains, further adding to this most magical setting. Topanga State Park can be reached in five minutes' drive, while Las Tunas Beach only takes ten. There are outdoor adventures to be had without even leaving the home, however. Just step outside into the huge, multi-level garden and you'll find lots of pretty places to take a perch and a recently installed hot tub, as well as some friendly neighbours — the mini pigs. They're looked after twice a day by a caretaker, but you can feed them over their fence, too. It’s not every day you come across such a special home, but for those who enjoy magic and fairytales, you'll find it completely spellbinding.

Home truths:
*Don’t touch the animals, as they are unpredictable, but feel free to feed them over the fence
* There are two roosters that crow loudly in the morning, starting around quarter past six
*There's free parking available on the premises, as well as an electric vehicle charging point
*You have to let the host know beforehand if you plan on using the laundry facilities in the basement and they will give you access
*There's an office in a separate building in the garden that guests can access — again, run this past the host beforehand so they can ensure it's open
*If you would like to carry out a photoshoot in the home, the rate is $1500
*The home sits across one storey and has no steps inside