This charming artist’s bungalow, nestled in the serene Benedict Canyon of Beverly Hills, exudes historical significance as a former home of heiress Laura Harding, connected to Hollywood legends. Built in the early 20th century, the property showcases classic bungalow architectural style with vaulted ceilings, original oak accents, and a striking stone fireplace. Set on a spacious 0.525-acre plot incorporating two adjacent APNs, the estate offers remarkable privacy and breathtaking canyon views. Recently refinished outdoor decking enhances the entertainment potential. Listed for $1,495,000, this historic retreat blends Hollywood heritage with modern comfort, inviting creative reimagining or new development along its coveted private lane.
Outdoor Patio Area
A raised concrete patio surrounds a dark-stained wooden house section, featuring modest stairs leading to a walkway door. The patio is furnished with two classic Adirondack chairs, creating a cozy seating area. Metal railing along the patio edge provides safety and modern contrast. Potted green plants add natural elements, complementing the surrounding mature trees and shrubbery. The house incorporates white stucco foundation with vertically grooved dark wood siding above, evoking a rustic yet refined aesthetic. Windows are framed in white, contributing brightness against the earthy hues, while natural light bathes the scene, accentuating textures and shadows.
Outdoor Patio Walkway
A sun-dappled concrete patio walkway winds through lush greenery, bordered by a sleek, horizontal metal railing. Verdant trees providing ample shade create a cooling ambiance, while soft shadows dance on the ground. The walkway gently curves around built-in concrete seating or planter structures, integrating nature with subtle modern architectural lines. The foliage is dense with a mixture of broadleaf trees and shrubs, emphasizing privacy and tranquility. Light filters through leaves, highlighting the interplay between natural and man-made elements in this serene outdoor corner, blending comfort and open-air living harmoniously.
Outdoor Garden Steps
A sunlit, terraced outdoor garden area with concrete steps ascending through lush greenery. To the right, a long, smooth, stucco retaining wall with seating integrates naturally into the hillside. The steps are flanked by a variety of mature trees and plants, casting dappled shadows on the concrete surface below. A modern metal stair railing adds a contemporary touch. The vegetation is dense and varied, ranging from broad-leaf plants to woody shrubs. At the top of the stairs, a compost bin and stone wall suggest sustainable gardening practices in a serene, private space that blends natural and built elements.
Outdoor Patio Seating
A rustic outdoor patio area nestled among lush greenery and mature trees. The space features a simple metal railing bordering the concrete patio floor, providing safety without obscuring the natural view. A wooden table with matching chairs sits invitingly under the canopy of foliage, creating a serene dining or relaxation spot. Ivy climbs up a large tree trunk near the seating area, blending the built environment seamlessly with nature. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves, casting natural shadows and enhancing the peaceful, woodland aesthetic of this quiet garden retreat.
Balcony with Greenery
A curved outdoor balcony surrounded by a modern metal railing offers a private vantage point shaded by abundant leafy tree branches. The adjacent exterior wall of the house is painted dark, contrasting with the natural greenery enveloping the space. A large window with a sliding panel hints at an interior room, possibly a living area or bedroom, that connects visually and physically to the tranquil outdoor nook. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves, casting intricate shadows on the balcony floor, creating a serene, nature-integrated ambiance that blends rustic charm and contemporary outdoor design.
Garden Pathway
A natural, shaded dirt pathway winds through a lush garden area bordered by dense greenery and mature trees. On the left, a gentle hill covered with grass and sporadic stones rises upward, while the right side features plentiful foliage, including leafy bushes and taller plants. The sunlight filters softly through the tree canopy, creating dappled light on the ground. A glimpse of an outdoor sitting area with a wooden table and chairs is partially visible through the foliage, suggesting a secluded, tranquil spot for relaxation within this verdant, inviting outdoor space.
Garden Hammock Area
A quiet, natural garden nook with a cozy white hammock suspended on a freestanding frame lies tucked beneath the shade of a large, sprawling tree. Dappled sunlight filters through golden-hued leaves overhead, casting warm light and shadows over a narrow dirt path lined with vibrant greenery. The scene is surrounded by a mix of dense foliage, including tall bushes and trees, creating a serene, secluded atmosphere perfect for relaxation. Earthy tones of green and brown dominate, blending seamlessly with nature’s organic textures and the inviting simplicity of the hammock’s woven design.
Surrounding Hillside View
Expansive greenery blankets rolling hills under a clear blue sky, emphasizing the natural seclusion and lush environment surrounding the property. Dense clusters of trees and shrubs cover the terrain, creating a tapestry of varied greens with occasional clearings and pathways weaving through. The landscape reflects a peaceful, rustic atmosphere with minimal signs of development, maintaining a pristine wilderness feel. Distant hillside homes are faintly visible along the horizon, blending harmoniously into the environment. This serene, elevated vantage point captures the essence of a tranquil, nature-immersed setting typical of historic countryside estates.
Living Room Fireplace
A cozy living room corner with a rustic stone fireplace as the centerpiece, composed of rounded river stones with a black metal firebox emitting a warm glow. Above the mantel rests two framed minimalist artworks, one depicting abstract human figures in blue and black tones. A pair of antlers adds a natural decorative touch. The ceiling features exposed wooden beams stained in warm, rich wood hues, complementing the wooden door with window paned glass and a stained-glass transom above, lending an artisanal, vintage charm. The floor blends into dark wood planks, enhancing the earthy, historic ambiance.
Rustic Kitchen with Fireplace
Natural river stones create a charming fireplace centerpiece with a modern black insert, emitting a warm glow that complements the rich wooden beams overhead. The kitchen blends rustic and vintage style with wooden cabinetry that extends to ceiling-high windows, inviting ample natural light. Blue-tiled countertops and sink add a splash of color, while the weathered wooden floors enhance the cozy, lived-in feel. A unique shell-adorned hanging lamp adds coastal charm, and the variety of window shapes—including small upper stained glass—provides architectural interest. The space is both inviting and functional with a distinctly historic yet homey atmosphere.
Living Room Cozy Corner
Wood-paneled walls create a warm, rustic ambiance contrasted by a smooth, light cream wall on the opposite side. The ceiling is high with exposed wooden beams and planks, adding to the cozy, cabin-like feel. A large white modern sofa sits against the window wall, accented with simple, multicolored pillows and a dark throw. Natural light streams through three large windows framed by the wood paneling. The floor is dark hardwood covered partially with a cream rug featuring a subtle black diamond pattern. A curved wooden-legged floor lamp with a white shade and a live-edge wooden coffee table enhance the organic yet modern aesthetic. Soft brown poufs and a tall green potted plant add comfort and life to the space.
Sunroom Sitting Area
Exposed wooden beams and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling create a warm, rustic atmosphere. Large windows wrap two walls, allowing abundant natural light to fill the room and offering lush views of leafy trees outside. A sliding glass door with a dark wood trim leads to a small balcony with metal railings. The flooring contrasts subtly with a patterned area rug in soft gray and white tones. Furnishings include a woven lounge chair with a pillow, a low, round wooden coffee table topped with books and a vase of purple flowers, and a sleek modern sofa with neutral cushions. A wooden sideboard stands under the windows, decorated with stacked books and minimalist vases, while a tall floor lamp adds soft illumination.
Cozy Bedroom Retreat
Natural wood beams and planks cover the ceiling, creating a warm, rustic atmosphere. A modest bed with neutral-toned bedding and a mix of earthy green and brown pillows adds softness. The walls are painted a clean off-white, contrasting gently with the wooden ceiling and window frame. A large window lets in ample natural light while being framed by simple beige curtains. A small, round bedside table sits next to the bed, supporting a modern lamp with a textured shade and a small greenery arrangement for a touch of nature. The room is compact and uncluttered, offering a serene and inviting ambiance.
Rustic Bathroom Details
Wood-paneled walls and exposed ceiling beams create a warm, rustic atmosphere in this bathroom. A vintage pedestal sink with a modern rectangular basin sits atop a carved wooden vanity with intricate geometric details. Above the sink, a wooden-framed mirror reflects shelves filled with toiletries. An antique brass pendant light hangs overhead to illuminate the space. A large, clawfoot bathtub with dark exterior finish rests on a tiled floor, complemented by a small wooden stool beside it, adding to the old-world charm. The space balances historic craftsmanship with contemporary elements in a cozy, inviting way.
Listing Agent: Cassie Levine of Compass via Zillow