Filed under: Famous Homes, Celebrity Homes
The 18-year-old star recently bought a new house for her and her family. But is the new Sherman Oaks house an improvement from her last home in Toluca Lake? Take a look at the photos and tell us what you think!Disney darling Demi Lovato has had a rough time lately. Not only did she endure a very public break up with squeaky-clean Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, but the teenage actor and singer recently and surprisingly checked into rehab.
Early reports revealed that her stint in rehab has to do with longstanding emotional and physical issues that include self-mutilation and an eating disorder. More recent reports allege that fresh-faced Lovato may also have some troubles -- or at least familiarity -- with alcohol and cocaine.
The good news for Lovato is that she's a very successful and professionally in-demand young woman with the enviable financial power to buy her family a multi-million dollar compound in the suburban Los Angeles community of Sherman Oaks. Hopefully the new house (shown above), purchased by the 18-year-old for the very grown up sum of $2,250,000, will provide some much needed peace, quiet and privacy from her currently topsy-turvy life.
For the last few years the Lovato clan has been shacked up in a six bedroom Mediterranean-style mini mansion (shown above) in Toluca Lake, an upscale Los Angeles enclave where a disproportionate number of tweenage Disney stars live or have lived including Hilary Duff, Zac Efron and Miley Cyrus. Property records indicate the boxy and formal residence stood at over 5,000 square feet on a tight lot with not much in the way of a backyard. It was leased, rather than owned, by Lovato and her parents, and it's currently on the market with an asking price of $1,799,000.
Property records show that Lovato's new crib, a Spanish-style compound from 1928 with a tussled, lived-in look and thick, lush and somewhat wild landscaping, occupies a private hillside lot. The back of the property tumbles down the hillside with numerous terraces, a heated swimming pool and spa, sport court and a couple patches of grass. A detached guesthouse that sits atop a three-car garage works perfectly as Miss Lovato's private quarters.
Now, not every 18-year-old has the buying power to move their family from one house to the next, so we had to have some fun with this one. Use the slider tool to compare the rooms in Lovato's old home to the new one -- the photos you see below are from her old home, but as you pull the blue slider to the right, you'll see her new digs!
While the old living room lacked in charm, it made up for it with gracious proportions, pristine hardwood floors and a warm fireplace. The new living room has a Spanish authenticity with worn hardwood floors, a fireplace with antique tile surround and hearth, an arched window with city lights view and a vaulted ceiling with exposed trusses. Who wins here, old or new? It's a toss up.
The new dining room has heavy rustic beams that run across the high ceiling and a scenic view of a brightly tiled fountain in the slim courtyard in front of the house. The old dining room was a much more old-fashioned affair with low ceilings and a traditional crystal chandelier. We definitely prefer the new dining room!
Even though the kitchen at Lovato's new house is significantly smaller, both are equipped with loads of cabinets and professional-grade stainless steel appliances. But the winner is the new home, thanks to the clean look of the white tile.
The family room at Lovato's old house has a fireplace, hardwood floors, double-height ceilings and sliding glass doors that open into the petite backyard. The new family room is a more cozy affair with a corner fireplace and Saltillo tile floors. And just out of the photo: a very 1970s-style sunken wet bar, even though Lovato is not old enough to drink liquor legally. We prefer the old family room here -- sorry, Lovato! It could just be the décor choices, which she'll surely overhaul soon enough.
Which home would you prefer? Tell us what you think in the comments!
Take a tour of more celebrity homes:
- Julia Roberts Buys Second NYC Apartment
- How We'd Redecorate Val Kilmer's Ranch
- Kelly Wearstler Puts Her House on the Market