These celebrities exemplify how minimal Hollywood stars can go from Mayim Bialik’s rustic Los Angeles home to Matthew McConaughey’s luxury R.V. However, minimal doesn’t mean shabby or cheap.
Most people expect Hollywood celebrities to have big mansions with swimming pools and cinemas like those seen on “MTV Cribs,” but that is not always the case. The truth is that while they might have more money than most, some celebrities prefer living ordinary lives, and their homes reflect that.
Mayim Bialik’s Studio City Home of Nearly Ten Years
Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, actress Mayim Bialik’s home is a stunning testament to rustic elegance and thoughtful renovation. The $2.3 million retreat with four bedrooms in Studio City has been her sanctuary for almost a decade. Over the years, the 2,483-square-foot property has undergone numerous renovations, each adding a unique touch to its charm.
In 2020, Bialik shared her excitement about the transformation of her kitchen. The kitchen renovations were a labor of love, featuring a tin ceiling and wood cabinets handcrafted by a former partner. Bialik also shared that a man she dated for a long time was a carpenter who helped with designing the home, with her stating:
“He did this entire kitchen by himself, inside and out.”
These elements were not new additions but repurposed materials from an upstairs bedroom, reflecting Bialik’s commitment to sustainability. The kitchen is also adorned with marble countertops and a copper farmhouse sink, adding a touch of modern luxury to the rustic aesthetic.
The space is a delightful blend of the old and the new. It’s a space that embraces the charm of vintage elements, such as light fixtures crafted from repurposed chicken feeders. The kitchen also houses a collection of antique cooking tools, each with a story.
Among these is a functional nut meat chopper and a cherished serving platter from Poland, a memento from her grandmother. Regarding culinary preferences, Bialik’s fridge is always stocked with fresh produce.
Inside the fridge are berries, farmer’s produce, and raw cashews – an essential ingredient for her homemade vegan ricotta – are staples. Sweets are a rare sight in her kitchen, except for the annual indulgence in vegan Thin Mints. Despite its beauty and functionality, the actress admits that a little more space would be welcome.
It can get crowded with two boys and three cats sharing the space. However, she wouldn’t trade her kitchen for anything else. It’s not just a place for cooking; it’s a space filled with memories, stories, and a testament to her sustainable lifestyle.
Stepping outside, the property reveals a massive backyard with a private saltwater pool and spa. The brick walkway that winds around the pool area is bordered by lush flower and herb gardens, creating a serene outdoor space. The outdoor patio also includes a shower, and the spa features a beautiful blend of pebble, glass, and stone tiling.
In an engaging episode of “The Three Questions with Andy Richter,” Bialik shared some intriguing insights into her personal life. She revealed that she doesn’t employ a house cleaner, viewing it as an unnecessary luxury. Bialik’s parents instilled in her the value of cleanliness, and she has carried this lesson into her adult life, preferring to handle household chores herself.
She admitted, “I really would rather spend the money on other things.” Despite her best efforts, she humorously confesses that her cleaning skills might not always be up to par. This revelation adds a relatable and down-to-earth dimension to her public persona. Now let’s have a look at another actress’ humble home.
Inside Jamie Lee Curtis’ Almost 100 Years-Old House
On December 2023, Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, Christopher Guest, celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary, and for most of their married life, they’ve lived in the same place. Their children, Annie and Ruby, grew up in the same lovely home.
In 1992, Curtis walked into the 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival home, which would become her first house. The actress admitted that she believed she could make her own, adding:
“There’s not one piece that I didn’t go out and buy or that I can’t tell you a story about.”
For Guest, it was different. Curtis shared that while house hunting, he often radiated disapproval with his facial expressions. For this particular house, however, he was different. Guest started to look at the house’s terra-cotta roof tiles and eucalyptus trees around it before deciding that they should purchase it.
He would later reveal that he was impressed by the home’s park-like setting. When they moved into the house, the previous owners had not updated it despite it being built in 1929. Consequently, the actress and her husband had the help of Jan McFarland Cox to revive the home, and now, it is airy and light.
There are remnants of Curtis’s two children everywhere in the home. She blended elements of an old traditional Mediterranean house with a more contemporary zen aesthetic. The home reflects Curtis and Guest greatly, as they believe the blend between old and new is a part of who they are.
For the children’s book author, the house is also a source of inspiration to create something beautiful. While the couple refurbished the house before moving in, they collaborated with architect Michael B. Lehrer and his wife Mia on renovations and landscape design.
They first worked on adding bedrooms for their children before renovating the master bedroom and bath. Lehrer then renovated the lower floor, opening the kitchen into a space that has a family area, a place that Curtis calls “the emotional center of the house.”
She got Cox to create interiors that emphasized the house’s Mediterranean origins. Curtis and Guest are certain they’ve made the house a happy home. Guest once said: “I think it’s like anything: it’s a work in progress. This house is going to keep living.”
True enough, the actress hangs positive messages through kitchen towels, hanging cloth dividers, and wall art to keep the house lively. Their home’s light and airy feel is accented with timeless wooden pieces that keep the Mediterranean aesthetic.
The house is nearly 100 years old, and over the years she and her family have accumulated many books and photographs. “It is filled with books and art and photographs and memories and scuff marks and height markings on the wall, covered by a piece of plexiglass, reminding me of my children’s growth and mine,” she wrote.
In a past interview, Curtis revealed that she had a drawer in her house with things she didn’t have time to put away. While the star and Guest built a loving residence, the couple has expressed that they learned the true meaning of “home” from each other. The actress once wrote her husband a song, saying: “I feel safe when I drive up and see that you are home.”
Matthew McConaughey’s Once Humble Home
One reflection of this man’s humbleness is that although Matthew McConaughey grew up in money, he once chose to live in a trailer. Speaking about that time, he said:
“I’ve always loved drivin’. Drivin’ is number one, where I get some time with myself. Number two, it’s the main place I catch up on music. And number three, it’s the best way to see the country. [sic]”
Of course, we could play devil’s advocate and recognize that this trailer, which is true McConaughey fashion is named “The Canoe,” is slightly more luxurious than your average R.V. — complete with a personalized satellite dish and a streamlined kitchen.
Above all definitions of fatherhood, philanthropist, and actor — far away from all the noise of societal issues and politics — the core of McConaughey remains a man who wants to travel on the open road. Although he has settled down with his wife, both choosing to live in a house, they sometimes spend the weekends taking their luxury airstream trailer out on the road.
Matthew McConaughey has personalized the R.V. to a larger extent, including a cozy bedroom with a picture window so one can see whatever view is available. It also has a shower and toilet with a barbeque attached at the back end of the trailer itself.
Camila Alves and her husband sometimes drive to unknown adventures, while at other times, the duo stays closer to home at the Malibu Trailer Park, located right on the shoreline. Before he moved into a permanent home and while he was still traveling, the actor expressed:
“When you wake up in the morning, you’re looking right at the ocean or wherever your backyard is that day.”
These words capture the essence of McConaughey — grounded yet free-spirited. Although conscious and actively working to improve what many see as a dark world, he still believes everything is inherently good. Part of his outlook might be based on his religious belief – Christianity.
“I’m a believer. I believe in God,” he once affirmed. Although the producer has established his faith, he has yet to figure out his purpose in life, with him stating, “God’s laying out the highways, but we each have our hand on the wheel.”
When McConaughey looked at the Earth he saw how little we are on the planet. He believed the world was turning adding, “And we’re that little individual on the planet. That smallness can make you go, ‘Oh my gosh. I’m nothing. None of what I do matters.” Someone else who lives a simple life is comedian Roseanne Barr.
Roseanne Barr’s Hawaiian Farm
After moving to her Macadamia nut farm in Hawaii, Roseanne Barr chose a healthier lifestyle by incorporating a more plant-based diet. To top it off, the actress revealed that she was a farmer and found the experience enjoyable.
The comedian purchased her Hawaiian home in 2007 for $1,78 million. The house is 2,212 square feet and sits on 46 acres of land. Barr has been living her low-key life there with her long-time partner, Johnny Argen.
Their home has three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms with 360 views of the greenery surrounding their property. As Barr enjoys the older stages of her life, she also loves bringing her granddaughters to her farm.
The actress once shared a picture of her and her grandchildren strolling through a large grass field. Fans commented on how cute the girls were but pointed out that her granddaughters probably only saw her as their grandmother when many fans know her as an iconic comedian.
Others simplify related to the unique feeling of being a grandmother. Barr also opened up about her role as a grandparent. She said her grandkids had been the most significant change in her life. What she loves the most about having grandchildren is being the stern parent who tells her children to be good parents to her grandkids.
At one point, the actress shared a picture of herself sleeping in her bed filled with clothes, boxes, and a laptop. “Shop till you drop,” she captioned the photo by comparing it to the kind of fatigue that follows after having cooked and cleaned up a kitchen.
Instagram users were quick to share their opinions with one person writing:
“Fire your housekeeper!!!!” Someone else replied to the previous comment saying:
“No she don’t need to fire her house keeper (sic). It’s her who is making all the mess!! How sad to see her this way!! Very very sad!! Nobody is perfect, I know!! But nobody would like to see her this way she’s a big star! Yea you have a right to have bad days we all have them but seriously to show it like this….noooo way!! You are way better than that!!”
A third person thought:
“Love Roseanne but I thought you was (sic) looking at a homeless camp [illegal substance] addict who passed out.”
Brad Paisley’s Cozy Log House
Brad Paisley always wanted a home in Williamson County, Tennessee, and best believe he got it. After moving to Nashville and starting a family, the “Whiskey Lullaby” singer found a suitable log-cabin-style abode to call home.
The music star’s home is situated just outside Nashville, with a guest house converted into a home studio. The refurbishment includes up-to-date music instruments and sound mixers in contrast to the cozy outlook of the interior.
Paisley gave fans a glimpse of his studio amid the COVID-19 pandemic when he recorded from home and took live requests. The expanse of land and grassy plains stretch far from the red-painted log cabin home.
Inside, Paisley and Kimberly Williams’ living room bears wooden upholstery with fine-tuned and glossy surfaces. It is safe to say that the couple opted for a homely setting with large windows and blue pastel-colored couches.
The kitchen setup included dark blue floor-to-ceiling cabinets on one path, which contrasts with the white cabinets on the other end. The other areas in the kitchen are covered in brown wood. Williams gets to make her daily veggie tonic in there while giving fans a view.
The kitchen gives way to the breakfast area in Paisley’s home, which is a slight extension of the kitchen. This is the part of the kitchen with white upholstery and high chairs. Outside, the front porch serves as a relaxation area, complete with lounge chairs and wooden floors.
Williams once shared a selfie with her dad, showing off their porch time. The couple also has a home bar reminiscent of a beer saloon. What these five celebrities prove is that it’s possible to live simple lives despite having lots of money and that you can make the most of what you have.
