The Sale of the Lloyd Wright Iconic Jester House in Portuguese Bend – The INSIDE Story

By Dana Graham

In my previous article about the sale of the Jester house I went into the process of the sale along with some historical photos of its construction. The interior of the house, which space did not allow me to get into, was an absolute showplace of mid-20th Century Hollywood show business.

Upon entering the front door, you are greeted by a spacious living room that features a panoramic view of Abalone Cove, the ocean, and Catalina Island.

***The view through those windows is stunning***

Presiding over this spectacle was the Grand Dame Lois Jester, who surveyed the scene from a magnificent portrait over the fireplace.

Lois, a one-time model, was the wife of mid-Century Hollywood mover and shaker Ralph Jester, the well-known costume and set designer for Cecil B DeMille and those spectacular “bible movies” of the 1950’s and ‘60’s. The one-level design of the house allowed her to continue to live there until her passing in her 90’s earlier this year.

The entire house is a well-preserved period piece of mid-Century design.

***An efficient vintage mid-century kitchen***

The kitchen was a no-frills, state-of-the-art 1948 functional design, from which one can walk out onto a magnificent deck with an expansive view while maintaining privacy from adjoining properties built since completion of this one.

***This is the charming deck off the kitchen***

***The dining room. Portraits of ancestors back 200 years lined the walls***

The kitchen also includes a pass-thru into a charming family room.

***The family room. Note early 19th century ancestor at right.***

The secluded master suite is just about as charming as they come, also providing the stunning view without sacrificing privacy; in fact, it is situated such that no window coverings are necessary.

***The master bedroom also looks out upon Abalone Cove.***

***The master bedroom looks out on the garden***

Privacy in the master bath is achieved via its being secreted behind the master bedroom wall. Ralph Jester sculpted that bust of Gina Lollobrigida at middle from life.

***The master bath is designed so that the view of the garden is not obstructed by window coverings***

The master bedroom originally had an indoor/outdoor koi pond, which allowed the fish to swim into and out of the house as they wished. If you were a fish, this was pretty snazzy digs.

***The planter along the outside wall of the master bedroom was once the indoor-outdoor Koi pond***

The grounds offered endless possibilities for entertaining with several levels and secluded, sheltered park-like settings for treating Hollywood royalty to a break from the hustle and bustle, or just private family picnics.