The home – which is currently the most expensive listing in the Bay Area – belonged to actress and model Sharon Stone and her then-husband, journalist Phil Bronstein until 2005, when they sold the property for $13 million. With its European-inspired architectural assets and view of the Golden Gate Bridge, this property is one of the most exciting listings in California – and one of the world’s best homes.  Golden Globe-winner Sharon Stone is best known for her breakthrough performance in Paul Verhoeven’s Basic Instinct. She is also recognized for her role in Martin Scorcese’s Casino and Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead. She purchased the 8,500-square-foot home at the peak of her fame in 1998 for $6 million. Here, we take a tour. The home combines modern decorating ideas (primarily through its striking color palette and lighting fixtures) with Old World charm that celebrates its Italianate-Victorian aesthetic.  The elegant living room ideas epitomize this blend of classic and contemporary through its tall ceilings and beautifully maintained dark wood parquet flooring. The open-plan level also exhibits wide towering doors and custom-built fireplaces that further emphasize the mansion’s grandeur. This space leads to more intimate spaces, including a secret den with another fireplace and a reading room.  The home is a maze of paint ideas that bring the property up to the modern-day – primarily the creamy walls that contrast with dark wood doors and accents. Meanwhile, the master bedroom showcases a cobalt blue that continues to set trends this year. If you’re looking for garden ideas from this stunning property, then you may be inspired by its north-facing terrace and deck that looks out on the Pacific Ocean. While your home may not come with a perfectly framed view of the Golden Gate Bridge, you can still follow its lead and create an outdoor space that is great for entertaining on a summer evening.   Other notable features include the outdoor living room with space to dine and the tropical trees that fill containers in the garden.   The listing is held by Neal Ward of Neal Ward Properties, San Francisco, CA. Photos courtesy of TopTenRealEstates.com (opens in new tab).