The utterly convincing 2002-built Los Angeles-area Spanish Ranch of actor Renée Zellweger, which appeared on the open market earlier this fall with an asking price of $6 million, entranced a buyer in short order. The charming and very private little estate near Topanga State Park closed after less than a month on the market. And it closed quite a bit above ask: $6.4 million.

The property’s 9.6 acres of privacy were likely a deciding factor in the sale; the grounds, landscaped with hardy native flora, occupy a hilltop location with plenty of breathing room. The landscaping also frames the home’s living style very well, establishing an authentic feel that carries through to the home’s interiors, and the stone patio and pool area that overlooks the canyon.

Beamed ceilings, hand-painted and terra-cotta tile floors, honey-toned plank hardwood, wood-framed fold-away doors, arched French doors, floating plank shelves and the odd French casement window are a few of the more rustic design elements at work here. The shared living area — with an openness that is enhanced greatly by the rustic details — is anchored by a stone fireplace.

Standout spaces include the office, which features a floor-to-ceiling bank of built-in shelves and a set of French doors that open onto the outdoor living area, and the kitchen, a single-island layout with a copper vent hood and black-painted cabinetry and butcher block-capped island. Black kitchen cabinetry can be a disaster; in this warm, light-filled space, it works beautifully.

Zellweger’s upcoming television projects include crime drama series The Thing About Pam, with Josh Duhamel and Judy Greer.