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In a recent story about Gloria Guinness the indubitable Toby Worthington- commenter to this blog -practically since its inception- and still-and for that I extend heartfelt thanks- said:"Gloria Guinness may have been a minimalist in terms of her fashion choices,but when it came to doing up her Paris residence in the 1950s it would seem that minimalism was the furthest thing from her mind. The
interiors by Georges Geoffrey were richly detailed, at least that is the impression gained by photographs shown in the 1960 publication,Les Réussites de la Décoration Francaise 1950-6."
IN RESIDENCE
Gloria Guinness
my reply:
"You may be right-I am taking a bit of license to make the point about this particular design idea. And I guess another thought might be-when In Paris do as the Parisians do. How I, and my readers surely, would love for you to share her interiors by Georges Geoffrey.If you have it, please scan some images for us. Again-as many- many a time I have asked, write a guest post for Little Augury and share your ideas,with all your brimming bookshelves of information you can be my resident scholar! As always I am glad you are reading and something here has peaked your interest, glad to know I am still one of your favorites."
& he was.
& he did!
lucky for all!
THE SALON
The decorator of the Guinness apartments was Georges Geoffrey. Friend Hubert Givenchy remembers him: "Geoffrey was an 18th century gentleman, a figure from another era, one of a breed of decorators that is extinct today." (from the AD January 2000 issue) Givenchy was an ardent admirer of the designer's work- like himself- Geoffrey was a purist. The opulence of the Guinness rooms never gives way to cliche & like the Guinness stripe- it is classic, timeless, chic.
detail of the Salon
(from AD January 2000)
Givenchy said "Georges's great quality was his inventiveness." Easily seen-this inventiveness- from the detail above of the Salon's bookcase and mantle walls where Geoffrey cleverly uses swathes of fabric and trim to mark the soaring height of the room and soften it simultaneously. His use of fabric and mirror in the halls (see below) is another example of his trademark use of trompe l'oeil and sense of theatre.
IN RESIDENCE
In the photograph below, Gloria Guinness and her daughter Dolores are wearing Balenciaga, photographed by Henry Clarke for French Vogue in 1957. Delores- born Dolores Maria Agatha Wilhelmine Luise, Freiin von Fürstenberg-Hedringen- to Gloria by a previous marriage- married her step father's son Patrick Guinness at the age of 19. Patrick was killed ten years later, 1965, in auto crash. The couple had three children. Delores Guinness never remarried.
a page from Les Réussites de la Décoration Francaise 1950-6
THE DINING ROOM
Geoffroy selected an 18thc neoclassical paper depicting Greco-Roman statuary
(image from Architectural Digest 2000)
THE BED CHAMBER
An 18th century wallpaper transforms the bed chamber into a Chinese garden, while along side a pair of Hepplewhite chairs stands a gilded table displaying malachite objects.
THE HALL: SMOKE & MIRRORS
For all its grandeur the Geoffrey's rooms created for the Guinnesses never abandon Gloria's adherence to the classic- or the chic-and in this case-the best.
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The bureau plat, the chinese export roosters, the tang horse--nothing left to chance and absolutely gorgeous. Thanks immensely for this post. Mary
ReplyDeleteVery chic, indeed.
ReplyDelete__ The Devoted Classicist
http://tdclassicist.blogspot.com
Gaye, it isn't obvious in my scanned image, but in the dining room
ReplyDeletein the Paris apartment, Georges Geoffrey took the pin striped wallpaper
and covered the coved cornice so that it, in a sense, extends the wall
surface vertically. It's a small touch that reinforces the architectural quality
of the wallpaper. In fact the room is a splendid synthesis of neoclassicism,
(walls) baroque exuberance (chair covering) and asian influence (carpet).
Geoffrey certainly knew his stuff.
Can I say that MINIMALISM CHIC, not only refers to Modernism - it really means a home, a room, or series of rooms that have been scaled in proportion PLUS filled with Beautiful furnishings of QUALITY and NOT quantity.
ReplyDeleteThis was told to me by the Master Photographer of Modern Architecture, Julius Shulman when he came to photograph our little Pavilion San Rafael...which by the way, La Guinness seemed to be living in as well but instead of being set in a garden, She was perched in the most Bijoux of Rooms floating above Paris.
Again, Gaye...a song well sung!
John, Yes! to say the least. pgt
ReplyDeleteToby Worthington-Yes, I see and he did know his stuff-You're not so bad yourself Sir!
The Swan. You may and it is well said. The run on quantity is rampant- so much so that no one would want to actually live there. Proportion is the thing-remembering it, honoring it-whether the grand or the small is key to doing the thing well. pgt
Mr. Worthington, Dear Toby at last!
ReplyDeleteVery Parisian indeed and very, very chic. Love the dining room. Didn't know the story about her daughter. Very elegant, almost like her mother.
Let us hear from you more often. Perhaps a blog? another guest post? anything! Thanks Gaye for making him come out!
I must ask a favor. Please repost a large more focused picture of the white on white room.... it's truly divine! Thank you for showing this extraordinary house, every room is a delight, we are lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteJulieta, You said it. Mr. Worthington amongst our ranks would be perfect-I am lucky to have his patronage. I have asked-and he has an Open invitation.
ReplyDeleteTopsy- Not sure which photo you refer to. I am glad you enjoyed the story. pgt
P.Gaye- The hall with white pattern textured walls and ceiling, plus a small round window. It's so very interesting, Im dying to see it more closely.
ReplyDeleteTopsy. I am sorry to say that is the largest image I have. pgt
ReplyDelete