By: Mady Dahlstrom, Porch.com Content Editor
A grand entrance into a kitchen full of “stainless steel” appliances, rooms filled with hot pink walls, a divine canopy bed perfect for sleepovers, and the ultimate closet to get ready in, Barbie’s Dreamhouse is equal parts fabulous and sophisticated. Making every little girl’s dream come true, Barbie’s plastic home has been brought to life thanks to celebrity home designer and flipper, Nicole Sassaman.
Like many girls growing up, Ms. Sassaman looked to Barbie for friendship, inspiration, and learning. Combining her appreciation for Barbie and her passion for design, Ms. Sassaman took on the task of making her dreams a reality, when she decided to purchase a Los Angeles penthouse apartment from Barbie herself.
Barbara Segal, the real-life name for the world’s most famous doll, inherited the luxury condo from her parents Ruth and Elliot Handler, the founders of the toy manufacturer
Ms. Sassaman takes pride in her tribute to Barbie and the story that she believes needs to be retold, but she couldn’t have done it without her crew members who never say no. “People get afraid to do things, but it’s really not that hard,” says Ms. Sassaman, “my crew never says no when I ask for help.” This effortless work ethic drives her creativity and craftsmanship, allowing her to design stunning and unpredictable interiors. In the design of the “Barbie Penthouse”, Ms. Sassaman’s unique details are not accidental. “Each room has something unexpected,” says Ms. Sassaman.
Beginning in the kitchen, the Barbie Penthouse is comprised of fanciful, dreamlike design features. A jewelry box for wine, the three-sided wine cellar is made of solid glass, presenting a crystal clear case. The custom kitchen floors are made of French white oak with a deep wire brushing finish. Pendants that look like twinkling sea urchins light up the niches between open cabinets that have a mirrored backsplash for a subtle reflection of downtown. Mohair pillows, suede wallpaper soft to the touch, and an EcoSmart fireplace surrounded by a polished stone that lights up, fill the living room with a sleek, serene setting. The master bathroom introduces imaginative design by incorporating a hidden aspect into the space. A wall that appears to be shelves opens up as a door for an exit or extra storage, contributing to Ms. Sassaman’s mantra that, “every wall is a door to endless possibilities.” Her timeless style and dedication to collecting pieces of décor from her travels that hold value and meaning, open the door to her breathtaking home design.
A sculpture made from carved tree root in Bali sits on top of a Pottery Barn chest, proving that modern can be mixed with antiquity. A Holly Hunt table in the entryway sits beside a vintage Barbie mannequin, and a $58,000 custom La Cornue stove is the center of the kitchen. Each piece plays an important part in the production of the “Barbie Penthouse”. Although the Barbie factor may not be as prominent with pink walls and an elevator down the middle like the plastic toy playhouse, this condo still brings Barbie to life as the place for entertaining. A “Barbie Photo Booth” that makes guests look like a Barbie doll at the click of a button and a life-size Barbie that Ms. Sassaman dresses up in a Santa hat or a hot pink shimmery outfit are only a couple of the Barbie accents scattered about the condo.
With a career in renovating and reselling homes for a profit, Ms. Sassaman has bought and sold over 100 properties starting at the age of 26. By turning this hot piece of property into the “Barbie Penthouse”, Ms. Sassaman gets to live in the dream house that so many have only ever played pretend in.
