Nearly six decades after her passing at the age of 81 from complications following a heart attack, Elizabeth Arden’s former South Carolina retreat is now available for purchase, complete with the iconic red front doors that evoke the timeless allure of her famed cosmetics empire and signature salons.
The pool area.
Nestled in the historic town of Summerville, just 25 miles from Charleston, this Victorian-style residence was home to the legendary beauty mogul from 1938 to 1954. The property is now listed for just under $3.3 million, with Taylor Charpia of Taylor Charpia Real Estate handling the sale. Originally built in the early 1800s for Charleston attorney Samuel Lord, this distinguished home is described in marketing materials as a “rare fusion of pedigree, history, and elegance.” Over the years, it has also been occupied by New York stockbroker Ogden Phipps and his wife, socialite Lillian Bostwick Phipps, whose daughter was the renowned fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer. The house was last sold in 2022 for nearly $1.9 million to Ron and Allison Wehtje, who undertook an extensive renovation in collaboration with interior designer and TV personality Gray Benko.
The landscaped grounds.
Secluded behind an ornate wrought-iron gate and surrounded by lush, meticulously landscaped grounds spanning over an acre, the property includes the main house and three charming guest cottages, currently serving as short-term rentals. Together, the estate offers a total of nine bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, and 8,400 square feet of living space. Additional structures include a pool house and a detached garage. The primary residence, boasting nearly 6,400 square feet of living space across three levels, is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with original heart pine floors, soaring 12-foot ceilings, intricately hand-carved moldings, an elevator, and six fireplaces. Highlights include a grand foyer and hallway adorned in luxurious wallpaper, flowing into dual parlors painted in a playful bubblegum pink, and a formal dining room that accommodates up to 14 guests. The home also features a bookshelf-lined study, a designated bar room, and a spacious sunroom with brick accents. The gourmet kitchen, fitted with a high-end Viking range, is complemented by a cozy breakfast nook.
A pair of posh parlors each have their own fireplace.
One of two fireside parlors.
Outdoors, the estate is a sanctuary of natural beauty, with towering live oak trees, formal gardens, and a life-size chessboard, along with a hidden swing. The freeform pool, nestled beside the pool house, invites relaxation, while the pool house itself offers two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen, opening onto a covered entertaining patio with a fire pit for intimate gatherings.
The foyer leads into an entrance hallway displaying a traditional staircase and a delicate chandelier.
The study.
The formal dining room.
The kitchen has a workstation and a breakfast nook.
A guest bedroom.
The front doors open into a foyer.
An adjacent pool house comes with a kitchen.