CHANEL's PARIS apartment was one of those places I found to be the Most beautiful places I never saw- (a topic discussed at West Week) I do know tours can be arranged-So- there is still time! There are many beautiful photographs of the apartment- friend Ivan Tereschenko photographed the rooms - I wrote about his portfolio "INTERIEURS COUTURE" here & have one of his iconic Chanel images.
When Carol Bouquet was the face of CHANEL, she was photographed in the apartments. These images combine Chanel couture with interior design-Irresistible!
I mentioned to Philip Bewley of Therien and Company, and friend to this blog, my love for the apartment. Chanel's passions are imbued in the space- She collected Crosses-from her childhood days living in a convent, Lions-her sun sign, Corn-which she considered her lucky charm - and Madame had a passion for Deer. Philp tells me the bronze deer are Japanese, and like many such objects as you know, without attribution...however, they do have a fascinating provenance...they had belonged to the extraordinary Luisa Casati- she was painted by Boldini, Augustus John, Van Dongen and photographed by Leon Baskst, Man Ray and Cecil Beaton and on and on...in 1932 her extravagant lifestyle led to hugh debts, and Casati's possessions auctioned off in Paris, including the Japanese bronze deer. Chanel was the successful bidder.
I
have studied these rooms for years- from some of the first days of thinking
about how my own personal space would look.
I
Took the RICHNESS of CHANEL’S Camel and Blacks and ITS Largesse and used them
in a Sitting Room OF My OWN-
I copied her bookcases in a Den. I procured a pretty good bronze Buddha-now gone by way of auction.
I‘ve long loved Chanel's No Nonsense Fashion Aesthetic -ALONG with her great penchant for piling on the Jewelry
I‘ve long loved Chanel's No Nonsense Fashion Aesthetic -ALONG with her great penchant for piling on the Jewelry
It
is THE GREAT-
THE GRAND-
The
DICOTOMY with Chanel—that’s so Inspirational-
We
see it in HER ROOMS---with CHANEL, the Inspiration doesn’t STOP at the Walls.
This too is one of my most Sacred Interiors wrought by GENIUS...the legacy of Gilt Baroque Chinoiserie, the Mystical Crystal Crosses and that MAGICAL Chandelier!
ReplyDeleteMy wish would be the Dali - a single Wheat Sheaf...small, lifelike and evocative of her talisman beloved...and now you've given me hope for a tour which I never knew was possible...unless one was a writer or major client in house.
I knew it had to be-& the appropriate style as you put it Gilt Baroque Chinoiserie is exactly right. thank you for adding that to the conversation. I think If either of US gets an opportunity We should Invite the Other. I will be there. Gaye
DeleteI find this appartment fascinating as an example of twentieth-century chinoiserie/japonisme, with its use of Coromandel lacquer, Japanese deer sculptures and other East Asian objects. Of course the use of lacquer as panelling has precedents in the baroque period, so here you have a kind of baroque-deco-chinoiserie, a wonderfully rich mixutre as you say. You mention that Chanel purchased the deer in 1932, but I wonder whether it has been documented exactly when the appartment was originally put together?
ReplyDeleteThese objects you site are what really turn this Place ON. The deer sculpture especially. I should connect you with Philip who is associated with the glorious Therien & Co.(http://therien.com/th_site/about.php) He will know that & I recently retrieved the magazine that had a wonderful article about the apartment- House & Garden,Jan 1986. That follows her moves from place to place-date this "the three rooms she lived in from 1954 until her death were a magic grotto..."
Deletepgt
A feast for the eyes. Thank you for the wonderful post Patricia. I hadn't seen these images before. Shiree'
ReplyDeleteglad you liked this story Shiree. thank you for reading along, Gaye
DeleteLovely post...it is such a grand space!
ReplyDeleteYes! and thank You. pgt
DeleteHi! I have been traveling, and I finally had a chance to sit down and catch up on the last posts I missed here at Little Augury ( sitting down and opening up your blog is always a delicious pleasure, like that first cup of coffee in the morning, or darjeeling tea with milk and sugar, which is what I had while staying with a dear friend recently) -and I was startled and tickled no end to see my name here in this post! What a treat! Loved your post, the photos, and NT Treasure Hunt's comments. Yes! That lure of the exotic, like a Baroque closet or cabinet filled with imported treasures, and yes, a largesse, good word that, to describe such East meets West luxury in coromandel lacquer, bronze, scintillating rock crystal, the wheat sheafs of Demeter, and deep modern upholstery -colors like after dinner drinks, like brandy and cognac- and like Chanel's designs, often copied but never completely reproduced like the original.
ReplyDeleteThank you, PGT
Never Never reproduced well-Isn't it marvelous,I referred to it at this panel discussion-all the images I have seen of it as a nicotine induced haze, which You Know it was!
Deletethank you Philip for all your contributions here. Gaye
Marvelous post. I loved Carol Bouquet as the face of Chanel. Just isn't the same now... N.G.
ReplyDeleteThe House & Garden article I refer to in the comments is by Edmonde Charles Roux with photographs by Francois Halard.
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