This Family Home Is for All Seasons
Christmas Past has come to life every year for decades in this Beverly Hills home, owned by the same family since it was built in 1951.
Lorraine Brodek grew up in the house, and she and her husband, Tom, moved in with their two young daughters during the ‘70s after buying the property from her mother’s estate.
Since then, Lorraine and Tom have lived among her vast collection of holiday decorations from other eras and countries--many from Europe, where his career took them in the ‘60s. (He is a producer with such credits as “Stephen King’s Rose Red,” a six-hour miniseries to air on ABC in January.)
The Brodeks also have collections of china, mason jars and vintage clocks, but they have so many handcrafted Santas that Lorraine gave up putting them out once a year and started leaving them out all year round.
About this house: With Lorraine’s love for Christmas, the Brodeks’ home shines most brightly in December, but the Country English-style house also has features, such as the garden, that stand out in other seasons. Lorraine is a retired landscape designer. Her mother was a passionate gardener.
Asking price: $6.95 million
Size: Five bedrooms and 5.5 baths in 5,417 square feet on just under an acre
Features: The yard is an English garden with meandering pathways to waterfalls, a koi pond, rose-covered arbors and a large, grassy lawn. Lorraine’s mother installed the pond and waterfall.
There is also a shed or greenhouse, built by Tom, and a playhouse with a white picket fence and roses that help to create a miniature English-garden effect.
The main house has a master suite with a sitting room, stone fireplace and balcony. The Brodeks have done some updating while keeping to the original plan. Lorraine’s late father built the house.
Where: Beverly Hills, north of Sunset Boulevard
Contact: Sally Forster Jones, Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills, (310) 281-3999.
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To be considered as a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior photos (copies only, please; we cannot return the pictures) and a brief description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; or to home oftheweek@latimes.com.
