Breaking: Oprah’s Home Makeover Takes Her From Stone to Oak
In this month’s issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, which is all about Oprah, Oprah writes about Oprah’s latest challenge: Oprah’s home makeover. Though she concedes her Georgian mansion in Santa Barbara is “impressive,” “stately,” “spiritual,” “the promised land” and “everything a girl from Kosciusko, Mississippi could dream of,” it’s also uncomfortable and sterile—a place for people to approve of, but not a place for a person with four dogs to live in.
The home, Oprah explains, doesn’t represent the real Oprah, the Oprah who likes to put her feet up and read a good book without worrying about damaging her throw pillows. So she’s revamping the manse (with help) and making some key changes to what she calls “my own private Tara.” (Oprah is a Gone With the Wind fan. There are many reasons that is strange.) One of the most important things Oprah is doing to make the house more homey is ditch the cold stone floors for oak—”floors that feel warm beneath your feet and bring peace and joy with every step forward you take.” That’s a lot of pressure on those floors. Is she talking radiant heat? Are there Christmas carols piped in?
Anyway. Here are three homes in Philadelphia that also have oak floors and are in Oprah’s price range (if a little below). Lovely properties, all.
1. 1932 Panama Street, Center City Philadelphia
The living room of 1932 Panama Street
1932 Panama Street has a modern facade and a sleek, white kitchen by Joanne Hudson (no Sharpies allowed). Despite a high price point (though not for Oprah) of $2.3 million, it’s a steal, really, because it’s right in Center City near Rittenhouse and comes fully furnished—and nicely, at that. There’s also a roofdeck, a patio, a gym and a garage. Mmm. Parking. You can almost taste it. And, for your warmth/peace/joy pleasure, “Ebony Stained Rift Cut Oak wood floors.” Click on images below for more photos of the house.
2. 23 S. 23rd Street, Center City Philadelphia
The living room of 23 S. 23rd Street, unit 4L
23 South 23rd Street’s unit 4L is for those who prefer condo living. The custom-designed 2-bedroom will set you back almost $800,000, but according to the listing, the parking—which is included with a full-price/acceptable offer—would otherwise cost $40,000 a year. Forty-thousand dollars. Is it worth so much, Philadelphians, to have a car? What about a bike? Even assuming a loss of three bikes per year due to theft, it’s still more cost-effective. At any rate, the point is, this place also has oak floors. Go to the listing to see more photos.
3. 1831 Spruce Street, Center City Philadelphia
Facade of 1831 Spruce
This gorgeous building has two bi-level units, each with its own outdoor space. It’s the first unit that has the oak flooring—as well as a library, fireplace and wet bar. The second unit has bamboo flooring, but don’t feel sorry for it: Like the first unit, it has New Zealand wool carpeting, which—if you have to have carpeting at all—sounds like the way to go. Now where is that $1.5 million you had lying around? Click below for more photos.
