The 64 year old, 9 times Grammy awards winner Natalie Cole has recently shared the story of her “dream home” on Thurs. May 28 when speaking to reporter Marc Myers. The dream home that she described was her childhood home. She shared personal details of her experiences living in this extraordinary place.

Cole explained that when her father bought her childhood home in 1948 in the Hancock Park section of LA, they faced many threats as a minority. Nonetheless, Natalie Cole describes this house as being “like a dream” that made her feel “like royalty”. The house was a stunning, English Tudor brick house.

During this time, such a neighborhood was almost entirely wealthy and white, many homeowners in such areas would not sell to minorities. Since she was a child, Cole says that she remained generally unaware of this reality. However, her parents were also famous celebrities, which often prevented her from seeing the extent of racism around her. Her father was Nat King Cole, among the most popular pianists and singers of the country. Meanwhile, her mother, Maria Hawkins Cole sang in Duke Ellington’s band.

Cole states that her father could never have predicted the hostile reaction that her neighbors would have upon their arrival. The neighbors responded to their presence with bribes, threats, a lawsuit, and racist signs on their lawns. Cole’s family managed to remain unaffected and gradually the neighborhood came to peace with living amongst them. This was aided by her father’s increasing fame during the 50s and her mother’s keen eye for decorating which made her house a, “symbol of elegance and beauty”.

Yet, it would still be a struggle for the family as they would occasionally face racist actions. Cole describes how one evening in the 1950s people put firecrackers in their rose bushes. Another time, people put a burning cross on their larn. Cole describes, “I was flabbergasted. Someone even poisoned our dog, a boxer. My dad was devastated, but we stayed put.”

The house had a pool along with a smaller house which they called the “Playhouse”. In the Playhouse they entertained guests, allowing Cole to meet celebrities such as Peggy Lee, Danny Thomas, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and others during her parents parties.

Cole described the wonders of her house and childhood. Her favorite room she claimed was the library which is where her dad kept all of his music, piano, and jukebox full of records. “The house gave me great comfort and made me feel safe,” Cole stated, “I think the way I take care of my home today comes from my mom.”

Natalie Cole’s father died in 1965. Subsequently, her mother moved back east in the 70s. Although she had already moved out of the home to attend college, she still felt crushed about selling the house. She revealed, “It was all we had left of our childhood and our dad.”

Cole ended her account by discussing how she will still drive past the house sometimes. It evokes very bittersweet emotions for her. Cole is glad to see that it has remained a beautiful home and even speculated about purchasing it one day.

The two CD set, “The Extraordinary Nat King Cole”, a previously unreleased duet with her father and sister in 1954, will be released on Jun. 3.

Natalie Cole grew up in an elegant home in Los Angeles, where her parents threw celebrity-studded parties.
Photo: King Cole Partner

Cover Photo: Jack Guy