Fame and Fortune at The Greystone Mansion

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I've always wanted to visit The Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. Yesterday, I finally had the chance to go with my parents. My main reason for wanting to see the grounds was that it was used as Chilton on "Gilmore girls." I knew nothing about the family that lived there or what it was all about, I just wanted to see for myself. 


After hearing more about the establishment, it apparently belonged to the Doheny family. Those familiar with LA have probably been down Doheny Street a time or two. They were an oil tycoon family and very rich. The house is extremely elaborate with 31 rooms and stops along the self-guided tour, including alcoves, dining rooms, bedrooms, a library, theater and even a bowling alley. It was built in 1928. 



According to their website: 

Founded in 2001 and comprised solely of volunteers, the Friends of Greystone is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise funds to restore, preserve and protect Doheny Greystone Estate, owned by the City of Beverly Hills and considered to be among California’s most luxurious residences south of Hearst Castle.  Included in our goals is to provide educational programs to students, residents of Beverly Hills, and the general public.  All funds raised go exclusively to the benefit of Doheny Greystone Estate.

While most mansions and castles can appear a bit creepy or dark, this one seemed lively and inviting inside. There are so many gorgeous windows with a perfect view of Los Angeles, from just about any and every angle of the house. These people really lived like Gatsby with their lavish lifestyles and parties. What that must've been like, I wondered to myself, as we wandered through the hallways, bedrooms, and outdoor gardens. What would it be like to wake up to see downtown Los Angeles or see Santa Monica in the distance on a clear day? I just can't imagine.

 





 






In the room, which once was the library, there were tables set up with gifts and trinkets, including MGM movie inspired jewelry, which I was all about. I almost bought a pair of earrings inspired by Legally Blonde, but went with some simple hearts instead. They're very sparkly and I love them. I wore them today, in fact.

Everything was so intricate and detailed and had me in awe of the architecture.

I fell in love with the idea of the old Hollywood glamour and lifestyle all over again. Days like yesterday remind me of why everyone comes to Los Angeles. Why so many people fall in love with the City of Angels on a daily basis. And now, I'm researching the Doheny family, because their story has it all: fame, fortune, murder and more.

If you want to find out more about the Doheny family and the mansion, here are a couple articles I've found interesting:
  1. http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/social-history/2007/mystery-of-the-greystone-mansion-murders 
  2. https://la.curbed.com/2015/12/8/9894146/greystone-mansion-beverly-hills-interior





 

I daydreamed out the windows as we made our way down Melrose and other famous streets:
 
Everyone comes to LA to be somebody. To matter. To be a star. To find fame and fortune. To make a difference. But, more often than not, it's smoke and mirrors. It's photoshopped billboards. Painted on smiles. Fake happiness. I've always been drawn to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. I'm fascinated by celebrities, because I wonder what motivates them. What is it actually that gets them out of bed  in the morning? Is it a dream they're truly chasing or is it what they think they'll achieve when they're at the top?  Maybe we'll never know or maybe we'll find out on their E! True Hollywood Story. We root for stars to make it. We love believing that maybe they'll be the one to handle the success better than the sad tale that happened to the last. But, really, when it comes down to it, I don't think we were made for fame and glory. We pretend and make wishes on stars hoping for that big crowning moment, knowing it may never come, or hoping that it will have a happier ending. Or maybe we know that there's more to this life than just the temporary high or 15 minutes of fame. 



After the tour, we went to The Grove for a late lunch at Maggiano's. We were very hungry by the time our food came, which is great, because the portions are huge. Our waiter, Nate, was also very entertaining; making jokes, telling stories and even telling us all about the various jobs he's had over the years. Super nice guy and made our dining experience more enjoyable.

Once we finished eating, I wanted to check out the Jurassic World props in the center of the shopping center. I missed Chris Pratt by ONE WEEK there. UGH. Lame!

We also stopped at Barnes and Noble for a bit. Theirs always has the best finds. Plus, it has three levels! I came out of the store with two books about inventing a creative life and living the life you've always imagined. I figure summer is a good time to experiment with things like that and to continue down the path of self-discovery.




We walked around a little longer, but there wasn't much else to see. It was getting later and we wanted to beat some of the traffic. The sun was setting and had a beautiful glow all around, as we made our way into downtown LA.

Tuesday night, the Jurassic World premiere will be taking place at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. So, I wanted to scope out the area. I don't get into downtown LA very often, but there are so many things to do - museums, Grand Central Market and so many other historic landmarks and skyscrapers. Simply stunning!



We got on the road, then made a quick stop at Walmart for a break. Believe it or not, I actually walked away with some clothes and a few other goodies. Also an iced coffee from McDonald's, because I needed a pick-me-up. We got home later in the evening, but still had time to unwind from the long day before starting the week.

It was a busy week, but filled with so many memories and special moments.

Now to see what this week holds :)

That's all for now,
Shelby







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