Gossip Friday: Our Home is Our Own

From July 1939:

There is something of a race on among some hundred or so journalists and magazine writers to get a description of the Clark Gable-Carole Lombard estate. There seems to be a distinct catch in it, or the newlyweds absolutely refuse to have their place photographed in detail.

“It isn’t that we want to be mean,” explains Carole, “but we like to feel that our home is our own, and anyway it isn’t finished yet. Possibly it never will be finished. That’s why it keeps us interested.”

Gable admits he has always wanted to farm. It has been a suppressed desire for years and now that he has 14 acres, he feels he has a start, especially with four horses in his stable.

In case you are interested, I can tell you something about the estate in words, if not in pictures. Here are two people who could have practically any sort of place they want. I am happy to say they have the good sense to keep well within bounds. It is a beautiful home, but not ostentatious; it is neither a palace, a castle nor a chateau, but a good early American farm house of seven rooms, which may be easily cared for by one or two persons. They have no desire for a large staff of servants and so far they have done most of the work themselves.

Back in the Valley, about a mile off Ventura Blvd, a winding drive leads up to the house, the gardens of which are surrounded by a split-rail, whitewashed fence.

It is set in the midst of a forest, for Clark has about 900 trees of various kinds, more than 100 of them citrus, planted on the rounds. He takes great pride in the fact that his farm supplies the family table with fresh fruits in season, avocados and all the vegetables. There are 1,000 chickens, a mule, four dogs, a milch cow, the four horses, innumerable cats. There is a pine tack room off the modern, up-to-the-minute stables. In this are the saddles, bridles and farm equipment.

Each stall is provided with a feed bucket which swings automatically into the stall–the same system used at racetracks for the blooded stock. There are long chicken coops, dog kennels, a milk house; there are several acres of pasture land, a terraced grape vineyard, fig trees, flower gardens, lawns and shrubbery. a garage for four cars houses two coupes and a station wagon. Both Clark and Carole drive their own cars; they have no chauffeur. A complete irrigation system is being installed.

Inside the house, one receives an immediate impression of great comfort and serenity. There is light everywhere, with no heavy drapes to keep it out.

A huge living room extends right across the front of the house. This is furnished in quiet taste, with a special white davenport upholstered in plain, creamish-white whipcord material, several chairs in creams and rust color, tables, divans, carpets, drapes and woodwork carrying forward the light and airy effect, with just enough color to lend contrast. It is the sort of room one would rather sit in and talk, or smoke or read than to write about: it has charm, it is livable and peaceful with a great fireplace, brass andirons and copper kettles.

Off this is the dining room, which is done in knotty pine, with early American dining room furniture of pine. The buffet and set of shelves display Carole’s collection of silver, china and pewter.

To the right of the living room is Gable’s gun room, with one of the finest collections of modern and ancient weapons, from old flintrocks to the newest inventions in pistols and rifles. His most treasured brace of flintrock guns are crossed over the fireplace in the living room. Off the gun room is a specially built ice-box room for “hanging” his game after a hunting trip.

With the well equipped office and kitchen, this comprises the downstairs living quarters.

Upstairs the master bedroom is done in leather with a deep tan predominating. A huge dressing room, with plenty of cupboard and closet space, easy chairs, comfortable reading stands, proper lighting and a generally masculine effect makes an excellent loafing place.

Mrs. Gable’s boudoir is in pastel shades, with a sort of pink-orchid color scheme in upholstery and rugs. Here there is a great deal of white in the pointe d’espirit curtains, walls and furniture. She has a dressing rom with revolving mirrors on the dressing table and with mirrors as wall panels. Her closets are also very large, with built-in shelves for hats, shoes, bags, etc. Although her room is delicate and lovely, it is by no means fluffy or hard to live in. Its furnishings have character and are designed for comfort as well as beauty.

So far, they have a man and his wife as caretakers. A bungalow is being built for them on the estate. Later they will have a housekeeper, cook and possibly a butler.

It would seem that Carole Lombard and Clark Gable have everything. It is just a little touching to hear them wistfully plead for privacy.

They laugh all the time, these two, and never seem to tire of ribbing each other. Carole has not lost her whimsical attitude toward life and certainly if Gable isn’t as happy as any man can hope to be, he is doing a fine job of pretending.