Realestock Blog

There have been some surprises and some direct shoe-ins in the nominations for the 2010 Academy Awards. From Best Director to Best Picture, all eyes are seemingly on the battle between the artistic geniuses of former spouses James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow, respectively, while the surprise nominations of Carey Mulligan for An Education and Gabourey Sidibe for Precious have garnered their own group of loyal followers.

With all the hype of the nominations and debates over possible winners, what would it be like to take a look into their lives, catch a glimpse inside their homes and find out exactly how the stars live?

Here’s a glimpse into the houses and homes of some of the 2010 Oscar Nominees

George Clooney

Best Actor in a Leading Role nominee and Sexiest Man Alive, George Clooney is well known to have a home in Italy. Called the Villa Oleandra and situated in Northern Italy, near Lake Como; George refers to the property as his favorite of all the homes in his possession. With a gorgeous pool, rustic Italian kitchen, exquisite master bedroom and historical Italian architecture overlooking the lake, George has the vacation spot millions of people dream of.With his own dock leading into the lake, George can relax in a boat, anytime he wants. Sounds like the ideal vacation home to me.

Sandra Bullock

Best Actress in a Leading Role nominee Sandra Bullock purchased her home on quintessential Tybee Island in Georgia in 2001; shortly after filming Forces of Nature. The home, located on the north end of the island faces the Savannah River inlet, east of Savannah; where portions of the movie was filmed. She and husband Jesse James also purchased a $2.25 million dollar home in New Orleans in June 2009 with 6,615 square feet, 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.The property contains a pool, ornately carved marble mantles on all the fireplaces, 14’foot ceilings in the ballroom and dining room and 16’ x 12’ kitchen with crystal chandeliers. That’s what I call living it up in the Big Easy.

Helen Mirren

Fellow Best Actress in a Leading Role nominee Helen Mirren has a home fit for a Queen, literally. Having won a series of awards playing Queen Elizabeth, Dame Helen purchased a 500-year old castle in 2007, in Puglia after two house-hunting trips in southern Italy. According to reports, Dame Helen spent somewhere in the neighborhood of £680,000 to buy the castle and the grounds three years ago, but there hasn’t been any news on how much she spent to refurbish and renovate the estate to make it inhabitable. Her Italian abode does have high fortified walls and a mature vineyard on the grounds. The Mediterranean can be seen half a mile away. Fit for a Queen, indeed.

Matt Damon

Supporting Actor nominee Matt Damon’s waterfront home in Miami looks more like a villa than a house. With the pool in the middle of the courtyard surrounded with palm trees, two guest houses, multiple balconies and his own private dock for boats and skidoos, it’s little wonder why he’d ever want to be anywhere else.The property is 9,500 square feet with 9 bedrooms on just over an acre of land. That’s perfect for when Matt’s buddies George and Brad want to stop over for a visit.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Supporting Actress nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal and her husband actor Peter Sarsgaard moved into a vintage 3,600 square foot Brooklyn brownstone in the north Park Slope neighborhood; after tiring of busy Manhattan. The four-storey brownstone still has its original doors and moldings with a restored façade and a parlor with floor-to-ceiling windows. There are also 7 fireplaces with marble mantles and restored pine floors. Sounds quaint and cozy to me.

James Cameron

Canuck Hollywood heavyweight and Best Director nominee James Cameron lives in pretty luxurious comfort, according to more than one source. His 8,272 square foot “cottage” comes complete with 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, pool, tennis court and inner courtyard fit for Hollywood royalty. Perfect for brainstorming the next follow-up to Avatar.