Inspiring Rooms: Sir John Richardson

In today's T Magazine, there is an article with photographs by Francois Halard of the art historian and Picasso biographer Sir John Richardson's estate in Connecticut.  It is a whimsical, grand, beautiful and eclectic place.  There are two homes, the "library" which is where Richardson lives and the guest house which was modeled on an 18th century folly on the grounds of Syon house in London.  The "library" is a large single room house filled with photographs of Picasso, Piranesi prints, Warhol polaroids, a bed from Versailles, a bust of Caligula... It is a house of stories and how I would love to spend a day or two there just listening to Richardson...

"It's important to have a few really hideous things otherwise it looks like too much ghastly good taste."
Sir John Richardson

Sir John Richardson's Connecticut home from T Magazine.  Photographs by Francois Halard.

love and kisses, Juliana

Mary de Rothschild. Part Two. Henri Samuel

"Where clothes are concerned, the only person I trust is Balenciaga.  The same goes for Henri Samuel for decoration."

Mary de Rothschild

I could not find any photos of the interior Henri Samuel did for the Baroness Alain de Rothschild (Mary de Rothschild) - but truthfully I did not look too hard after I found the images of Henri Samuel's own apartment on the rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

His home was, as Carlyne Serf de Dudzeele, would say in her Marlboro lights, enthusiastic voice, a salade.  A mix of styles.  A mix of periods.  A bit like Carlyne Serf de Dudzeele's first cover of Vogue under the editorship of Anna Wintour: a grand Christian Lacroix haute couture embellished jacket paired with jeans.  Well, jeans might be going too far for Mr. Samuel, or perhaps not, but his apartment was wonderfully relaxed not trop, trop like the rooms he did for another Rothschild, Marie-Helene, which although stunning, I would feel the need to come out for air.  

There was an airiness in Mr. Samuel's own home.  There was space, there was light, there was translucence in Guy de Rougement's cloud table, there was the smooth sensuousness of bronze pieces by Philippe Hiquily, a darkened bronze table by Diego Giacometti, African pieces...  it is perfect and timeless...

see for yourself.  

Inspiring rooms: Henri Samuel on the rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré...

The ground floor of a hotel particulier opens to a large garden.  

On the far wall a bronze console by Cesar under a painting by Balthus.  There are brass and lucite chairs by Philippe Hiquily created for Henri Samuel, a Diego Giacometti table sits by the window covered in books and magazines, a trio of brass and fossilized wood tables also by Hiquily sit by the very comfy looking double sofa.  The de Rougement cloud table in bronze and a claret colored plexiglass, objets, a small bar by the window...

It is remarkable how well the 1970s pieces go with boiserie and gilt furniture...

love and kisses, Juliana