Douglas Friedman/Architectural Digest
Telling a designer to "go for it" is the mark of a brave property owner — so it comes as no surprise to hear that's exactly what RuPaul said to Martyn Lawrence Bullard after he agreed to transform the star's Beverly Hills mansion.
The world's most famous drag queen and his husband Georges LeBar have been friends with the interior designer for nearly 30 years.
RuPaul told design magazine Architectural Digest that they'd "always loved Martyn's aesthetic, so we trusted him. I said, 'Go for it. I can go as far as your imagination will take us.'"
Bullard embraced the challenge, transforming the tired 1980s property into "the house of Ru, a mansion of style," he told the publication.
"It's the ultimate runway for the supermodel of the world. I could not imagine a more appropriate place for the universe's drag mother to hold court," he said.
Bullard joined forces with architect Christopher Hatch McLean to give the property a full makeover, adding numerous "neoclassical details."
Douglas Friedman/Architectural Digest
The centrepiece of the residence is without doubt the stunning ballroom, which features an array of disco balls hanging from the ceiling, and dozens of black-and-white portraits of divas on the walls.
Legendary photographer Harry Langdon's 1975 portrait of Diana Ross takes pride of place above the fireplace.
Touches of orange — RuPaul's favorite color — can be found throughout the house, including in the kitchen, breakfast room, and main bedroom. It features two huge dressing rooms, with one devoted to drag.
The performer told Architectural Digest that the home is "meant to be whimsical and fun. None of it is to be taken too seriously — except for love and kindness."
See more images in the June issue of Architectural Digest, or click here.
