Bob Mackie, who recently passed away at the age of 87, was one of the most celebrated names in entertainment fashion. The legendary designer won both Tony Awards and Emmy Awards during his illustrious career and became particularly well known for his work with stars including Carol Burnett, Cher and Diana Ross.While Mackie spent decades creating some of the most memorable looks in entertainment, he also placed considerable importance on his personal life and the spaces where he could escape the demands of his career. Among them was his Beverly Hills home, which he bought in the 1980s and regarded as a peaceful retreat from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Bob Mackie bought his Beverly Hills home in the 1980s
According to Architectural Digest, Mackie’s Beverly Hills home was one of his favourite places, and he invested considerably in making the property his own. Although the house offered glimpses of his artistic sensibilities, it was primarily designed as a haven away from the demands of his professional life.The house had originally been built by an architect who had lived there himself, and it featured plenty of windows and spaces designed to allow natural light to flow through the interiors. For Mackie, however, the home was never meant to resemble the elaborate clothes he designed for his clients and celebrity collaborators.Explaining what attracted him to the property, Mackie said, “But when they walk in, they say, ‘Oh.’ I’ve never liked a lifestyle that reflects the clothes I design—it doesn’t appeal to me. I bought the house for the light and the privacy.”
More about Bob Mackie’s home decor
Mackie also avoided filling his home with extensive memorabilia. Apart from a few posters and photographs, along with a ceramic shoe gifted to him by Cher, he largely preferred to keep the interiors clean and uncluttered.“I literally bought no furniture when I moved in. I reupholstered the sofa in the library, and that was it. The house wasn’t aggressively ‘decorated,’” he said.The home was later decorated by Mackie’s close friend Robert Kelly, who was running his own boutique store at the time. The interiors featured rustic, dark-toned furniture, with wood playing a prominent role. Large cabinets occupied the living room, while a central table sat on an elaborate carpet.Mackie also incorporated objects from different cultures into the home. The interiors featured Oaxacan “fantasy animals” as well as masks from Balinese, Mexican and African cultures, giving the property an eclectic and distinctly personal character.Despite his association with extravagance and theatrical fashion, Mackie’s approach to his home was ultimately centred on comfort and simplicity. He described the property as a place where he could unwind and enjoy ordinary routines away from his hectic professional life.
A look into Bob Mackie’s Beverly Hills home. (Instagram)
“I cook and spend time in the kitchen; I sit and read the paper on Sunday morning. I love spending a weekend there—it’s restful and easy, just a nice place to be,” Mackie said.Mackie eventually sold his Beverly Hills mansion in 1993 for USD 850,000. The home, however, remained a reflection of the designer’s preference for privacy, natural light and a relaxed personal space rather than an extension of the glamorous world he helped shape through his legendary career.