Five interior tips to steal from Bette Davis's oceanfront home in California

Bette Davis may be considered Hollywood elite, but it is her Laguna Beach home that sits at the top of the interior design industry. 

The exquisite French Normandy estate currently on the market for almost $20 million is a chic marble-kissed maze of nautical furnishings and unexpected contemporary trends. The home decor is curated to reflect the arty but wholly sophisticated aura of its elegant neighborhood, and we're taking notes on every square inch of this historic estate.  

1. Use your color scheme to create a flow between indoor and outdoor living 

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

The only thing better than a house by the ocean is a house by the ocean that pays homage to its location through its color scheme. This is precisely the case with Bette Davis's home, which uses a cream and blue palette – most notably throughout its living and bedroom spaces. 

Here, the plush cream soft-furnishings sit alongside an ingenious injection of navy blue accessories that emphasize the aesthetic aquatic backdrop.  

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

See: Master Bedroom Ideas: 31 stunning bedroom schemes

Meanwhile, the subtle paintings and turquoise art pieces continue to highlight the seamless flow between the home's interior and exterior spaces, thus bringing the ocean into the house. 

2. Experiment with colored sanitary ware 

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

Yes, even Bette Davis's quintessential kingdom has fallen for the biggest bathroom trend of the modern-day. While this colored sanitary ware craze is not for the faint-hearted, Bette's home reinforces that even the most elegant of spaces can play with color, and that's all the reassurance we need. However, if you need more convincing, follow the advice of the Head of Design at the London-based luxury bathroom company, West One Bathrooms, Louise Ashdown.  

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

'Colored ceramics are making a comeback. Think peach, red-tinted pinks, and warm greens when it comes to statement basins. And don't be shy of going for an all-over, total-look effect- shower trays that can seamlessly match floor tiles and even glossy black pans for the ever-popular black tap bathrooms,' Louise declares. 

3. When in doubt, style symmetrically  

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

The refined aesthetic of symmetrical interiors is unrivaled, and when we see Bette Davis's home, we can see why. Follow this example and showcase the chic rule of symmetry by mirroring your chairs, plants, and soft furnishings to instantly elevate your home – then relax because this rule is never going out of style. 

4. Indulge in the unwavering power of gray 

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

You've heard of French Gray, but what about Laguna Beach Gray? It appears another tip is never going out of the style, as gray enjoys another summer at the pinnacle of the interior design world. 

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

See: See Gorgeous Grey Living Room Ideas

Despite its central nautical theme, Bette's home flirts with this ever-popular hue to create a therapeutic and painfully stylish haven fit for a modern home.

5. Create a statement with a dark brown monochromic palette

(Image credit: Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

While the home's rich brown tones pay homage to the classical coastal decor, it also stands as a bold monochromatic contrast against the luminous white features. This contrast is epitomized by the property's statement staircase that allows this timeless scheme to flow throughout every floor of the home. 

It's the classic look we would only expect from a royal Hollywood palace, and we're rushing to bring this into our homes once we finish binge-watching Bette Davis movie, naturally. 

However, if you don’t only want to mirror the home, but own the home, the property is currently listed with John Cain of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty for $19,995,000. This includes the beautiful main house and a guest house with a quaint Lookout Room and Juliet balcony that looks onto Laguna Beach below.