Cher certainly doesn't do anything in half measures. The singer, actress, and all-round entertainer knows how to make a lasting impression (as evidenced by her 60-year stong career), so it's only right that her home possesses a curb appeal that's just as impactful.
One peek at Cher's former Malibu mansion and it's clear that the sweeping front drive matches her legendary energy. The path leading up to the Italian Renaissance-style estate is lined with palms and sandstone tiles, while a star-shaped Moroccan-inspired fountain takes center stage in front of arched doorways that offer unbridled views of the Pacific.
Ideated by legendary designer Marytn Lawrence Bullard, the dramatic setup hints at what's to come beyond the ornate façade. It's a curb appeal idea fit for celebrity status like Cher's, but it sets a precedent for us all to learn from.
You don't need to be an A-lister with a sprawling estate and a generous driveway design to ensure your property has appeal from the sidewalk. Some thoughtful landscaping ideas, like intentional planting or decor ideas like water features, can imbue an outdoor space with charm and intrigue.
You needn't match Cher's level of drama to achieve allure either, but it pays to go bold with your front yard landscaping, especially when you make a point of matching the style inside your home, too. That's exactly what Cher's drive masters so well.
'You can see that Cher’s Malibu home is a theatrical abode, but there was a taste to it – a nuance of elegance that sets it apart from the more ostentatious marks that the stars tend to leave,' says Elliott Caldwell, Digital Marketing Manager at Home Team Luxury Rentals. 'Everything from the over-the-top exterior to the eye-catching star-shaped water feature of this hideaway tells a narrative that balances an eye for glamor while simultaneously encouraging its visitors to let their guard down.'
Details like the use of symmetry and the zesty green shade that outlines the water feature (echoing that of the plants that border the property) give Cher's space a certain je ne sais quoi reserved for luxury homes. 'Not only does this design decision distill the star's penchant for dramatic presentation, it serves as a curated environment that artfully bridges art and architecture, inviting guests to wonder at the sight from the initial gaze,' says Elliott.
The estate wouldn't score so highly on a curb appeal scale if it wasn't for the water fountain. These kinds of features can be controversial garden landscaping ideas. They make an impactful statement in your garden when styled properly in the right setting, but choose the wrong one or fail to maintain it, and you can easily date your home or make your space look unkept.
One place they always succeed in making an impression, however, is in a generous driveway, and Cher's Malibu mansion masters the look perfectly. The use of aquatic plants adds a naturalness to Cher's water feature idea, while the ornate star shape really adds to the sense of grandeur. 'The top of the star is even pointing you to the entrance and inviting you to look through to the ocean,' explains Jeff Lichtenstein CEO & Broker at Echo Fine Properties.
This is the best of the basic solar water fountains - a simple solar panel that floats just under the water and cycles the water in your water feature, be it a pond or a bird bath.
For a water feature that's more sleek and contemporary compared to Cher's, try this spherical fountain. The elegant silhouette and slate gray color suits modern landscape designs, especially when styled next to some structural plants.
If, like Cher, you partial to ornate and decorative design, this ceramic fountain comes with a leaf pattern and two little bird statues nestled within the water. It's the perfect finishing touch to a driveway island.
You don't need Cher's level of fame (or pockets full of cash) to pull off a similar look in your own front yard, either. Whether you have a sweeping driveway or a tiny garden path, there are so many ways to add similar allure to your space, be it a small pond or a solar-powered fountain by your front door. Simply spruce up your landscaping ideas for celebrity-inspired curb appeal that promises to turn heads.
