10 most stunning celebrity homes of the year

In keeping with the year-end tradition of retrospectives, Realtor.com looked back and highlighted 10 of the most stunning celebrity homes that were on the market this year. The ways in which these mansions and penthouses hit you may vary from the obscenely expensive to the ostentatious to the luxurious and even to the odd classy abode. At any rate, they are here for us, the noncelebrated public, to admire, to judge, and perhaps to reflect at how much better we would be at choosing and decorating our palaces if we were celebrities. Click ahead to see 10 opulent homes of entertainers from music, television and film.

—By Colleen Kane, special to CNBC.com
Posted 31 Dec. 2014

Location: Miami
Price: $10.9 million
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 7
Square Footage: 9,080

Like Pharrell, the singer's tri-level South Beach penthouse has had a big couple of years. First listed in 2012 for $16.8 million, it later dropped to $13.9 million and in 2014, $10.9 million. The property was delisted in early October and is now reported to be sold, but the price is not available. This 40th-floor spread is all windows, making it an "interesting fishbowl", as Pharrell described it to W magazine—but the new buyer needn't worry about peeping toms, since its former owner pointed out, "since no one can see up here, it's like a fishbowl with a limo tint." The article also refers to the pad's bold contemporary art, which includes jumbo illustrations of characters from "Family Guy" and "The Smurfs." Outdoor space includes a pool terrace with a vine-covered arbor and incredible ocean views, an outdoor kitchen patio and a rooftop terrace.

Location: Hidden Hills, California
Price: $19.75 million
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 8 full, 2 half
Square Footage: 15,667

In August, the gossip column double-whammy power couple purchased a sprawling French chateau-styled stone mansion on 3 acres that doesn't do anything halfway. Among the features the hip-hop mogul, his socialite wife and their toddler North have at their disposal are three marble-topped kitchen islands, two pools, two barbecue centers, two vineyards, and a five-car garage. Also, the game room has suede walls.

Location: Los Angeles
Price: $35 million
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 9
Square Footage: 9,696

In May, Apple acquired Dr. Dre's Beats Electronics line for $3 billion. The next month,the hip-hop artist and producer laid down $40 million for the former home of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen in Brentwood, then listed his updated midcentury modern estate in the Hollywood hills for $35 million. It's unclear why this one fell out of favor: It has marble flooring, a guest house, a five-car garage, a wine cellar and four fireplaces. Gazing across the infinity pool from the covered porch or the open patio, the occupant would preside over panoramic views of downtown LA and the Pacific Ocean. This house is now off the market without having sold.

Location: Pomfret, Connecticut
Price: $1.35 million
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2 full, 5 half
Square Footage: 3,463

Not so long ago, Renee Zellweger appeared regularly in romantic comedies. This charming 1770s clapboard farmhouse located about one hour from Boston could be a home that one of her film heroines lived in, despite that character having an occupation that does not lend itself to affording $1.6 million homes. Well—$1.6 million was the asking price when it was listed in July—in December the price took a chop. The former Cotton Tavern sits on a 30-acre riverside property with a guest cottage and recreation barn. It has the expected exposed beams and fireplaces, plus nonpastoral modern amenities like a Sub Zero refrigerator and a helipad.

Location: Los Angeles
Price: $2,178,500
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5
Square Footage: 3,605

When this 1947 Hollywood Knolls home was listed in August for $2.3 million, it came equipped with Jimmy's personal work-from-home special feature: a soundproofed recording studio for conducting interviews to use on his late-night show. The home is subdued in decor and style but packed with special features: an indoor-outdoor bar, a spa-like subway-tiled master bath with soaking tub and walk-in shower, an electronic adjustable-height dining table, an outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, smoker and kegerator. Sound good? Apparently it did to the buyers, as the house sold in October after less than two months on the market.

Location: Montville Township, New Jersey
Price: $3,499,000
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 5 full, 1 half
Square Footage: 10,044

In 2014, the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star was sentenced to 15 months in prison, which will likely lack the ostentation of this curlicue-packed French chateau style mansion. It hit the market for $4 million in September and the price dropped by half a million in November. From the marble grand foyer with double staircases, to the two-story balconied formal great room with fireplace, this home does not lack in drama, much like its owner's reality series. The master bedroom has three custom walk-in closets, a gas fireplace and an onyx-tiled master bath with steam shower and soaking tub.

Location: Armonk, New York
Price: Not available
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 5 full, 4 half
Square Footage: 17,200

All class, this guy. Director Ron Howard's gorgeous lakeside compound in the Conyers Farm area bordering Armonk has been the family's home for two decades, but they put it on the market in 2014. We'll let Ron take it from here in his statement: "We moved 3,000 miles away from the hub of Los Angeles to raise our family here. Whether we're watching films in our theater, walking the trails throughout our property, stargazing in our observatory, or just relaxing with friends and loved ones by the lake, Cheryl and I feel we've accomplished the goals we set when we began work on this place." The property also boasts a yoga studio, an indoor saltwater pool and a sports barn with tennis court and half a basketball court. It was listed for $27.5 million, and is now reported to be sold, but the price is not available.

Location: Los Angeles
Price: $10,600,000
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 11
Square Footage: 11,400

The Colombian-born star of "Modern Family" purchased this Beverly Hills villa earlier this year, after previously living in a three-bedroom Century City condo. This home was built in 2006 incorporating some Argentinian materials and artisan-crafted touches and includes a wine cellar and a gym with sauna. The gated compound also includes two maids' quarters and a laundry facility.

Location: Los Angeles
Price: $1,995,000
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2 full, 1 half
Square Footage:

This fall, the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend and his lady love Chrissy Teigen, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, listed their peaceful Asian-inspired midcentury modern retreat in the Hollywood Hills for $1.995 million. The house was outfitted as a modern sanctuary: textured stone and baked oak floors were employed for sound absorption, and the well-designed landscape of bamboo and other greenery and flowers are welcomed into the indoors with many glass walls and large windows. The kitchen has teak cabinets, and the gutters were internalized so those dwelling inside could enjoy the sound of raindrops rather than gushing water in a spout.

Location: Los Angeles
Price: $16.5 million
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 11
Square Footage: 10,379

The icon of action-adventure films sold his Beverly Hills home in August to Restoration Hardware CEO and Lucky Jeans bigwig David DeMattei. Originally listed at $22 million, Willis bought the hacienda in 2009 for $9 million. The house has a central courtyard, vaulted ceilings and exposed beams galore, and the kitchen features an enormous double fridge plus a wine fridge.