Ray Romano gives a tour of his La Quinta, California home.Photo:Architectural Digest/ YouTube
Architectural Digest/ YouTube
Ray Romano’s desert home is a sight to behold.
The actor-comedian and his wife of 36 years,Anna Romano, recently put down roots in La Quinta, California, their longtime vacation spot, and gaveArchitectural Digesta web-exclusive peek into their desert oasis.
When Ray, 65, and Anna, 60, first decided to build their permanent escape from the Los Angeles hustle and bustle, the couple reached out to interior designerNate Berkusfor help — or, more accurately, their daughter did.
Anna, a fan of Berkus’ work, consulted with daughter Ally, 33, about hiring him, and she shot the initial email that served as the springboard for their relationship.
“Over the years, following him and seeing stuff he’s done, he just seemed like an easy person to work with,” Anna toldAD.
In theirADhome tour, Romano joked, “My wife knew who he was, and kind of had a crush on him,” to which Anna quipped back, “Still do.”
For Berkus, 52, the proposal was a bit of a shock.
“I was like, ‘Is this real?’” he told the outlet. “‘Is thisEverybody Loves Raymondand his wife, or is this a guy named Ray Romano who’s building a home in the desert?’”
After discovering that it was, in fact, the real Ray, Berkus got to work on the home, which had to be large enough forthe whole Romano family— Ray, Anna and their kids Ally, Joseph, 25, and 30-year-old twins Gregory and Matthew — but not “extravagant,” per Anna.
And Romano had a single request or, as he phrased it, “one word input” — a “cozy” vibe, which shines through in the vacation spot’s ample natural light, warm wood accents and comfy, functional furniture.
Ray and Anna Romano in their La Quinta, California home.Jenna Peffley/ AD
Jenna Peffley/ AD
Anna admitted that she was initially hesitant about the art-deco garden gates Berkus installed to separate their kitchen from the dining area, but trusted the designer’s “vibe.”
Now, they are “one of my favorite pieces in this whole house,” she said.
According to Ray, the statement piece was “not cheap either, Nate. Not cheap at all.”
“Thank you very much, but now I’ve got to doIce Age 6,” theEverybody Loves Raymondstar joked.
The actor and avid golfer toldADthat he loves the whole house, but his “two favorite parts” are his personal putting green and the bunk bed room.
Intended for their sons to sleep in when they visit, the room was his only other request for Berkus — and he loves it so much he even bunks there when visiting La Quinta without Anna.
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When they visit as a couple, however, they stay in the primary bedroom, which features a pop-up television, stunning patio and an abstract art piece Ray said he thinks of as “a smile.”
The only other bedroom belongs to Ally — or “Queen Alexandra,” as Ray called her — who also has her own bathroom.
“She requested a place away from the smelly boys, I believe is how she put it,” Ray joked.
Like the rest of the vacation home, Ally’s quarters feature a lot of vintage pieces, including a Swedish lantern lamp and refurbished chairs from the 1800s.
Ray Romano’s La Quinta, California home.Jenna Peffley/ AD
Another highlight of the Romanos’ La Quinta digs is their home theater, which is outfitted with funky light fixtures, a comfy couch and a row of velvet recliners.
“We’re a big movie family,” Ray said of the room. “But we’re also the family that comes in and says, ‘Okay, what do we watch?’ And 40 minutes later, we’re like, ‘Alright, I’ve got to go to bed.’”
The interior also features a lounge perfect for relaxing and playing video games, complete with snack drawers and a shuffleboard table, as well as a living room connected to the kitchen, where Ray said he watches football with his sons.
Also helping the house live up to its oasis title are its outdoor amenities, which include a pool, hot tub, grill and fire pit, as well as cozy dining and seating areas.
“And she says, ‘Okay.' And that’s it,” he joked.
source: people.com
