Comments on the style saloniste: Great French Architecture, Breath-Taking Location

Hoping it isn't too late to thank you for the ...

2009-12-10T07:50:21.060-08:00

Hoping it isn't too late to thank you for the wonderful essay on
Villa Kerylos. Only last week I was discussing it with a visiting friend from the south of France, who'd attended at gathering at Keylos with a bunch of academics who took a jaundiced view of the place, much to the bemusement of my stylish friend. One of them turned to her and
whispered sharply: "You do know, my dear, that it is all FAKE."
In other words, he missed the point of this brilliant synthesis of modern and antique~completely!!!

Wonderful and informative post, as usual...how can...

2009-12-08T18:39:57.358-08:00

Wonderful and informative post, as usual...how can one go wrong with monkeys on the roof?!

Hello Diane, looking at the photos and reading you...

2009-12-07T09:03:25.043-08:00

Hello Diane, looking at the photos and reading your description about Villa Kerylos, I felt like I just went to a trip up in Heaven.

Good Morning from San Francisco--Shannon and Pam-...

2009-12-06T12:14:06.247-08:00

Good Morning from San Francisco--Shannon and Pam-

Loved hearing from you.
I've been surprised that so many design-obsessed readers and other bloggers have not yet visited the Villa Kerylos, especially as many have been to Provence and other parts of the south of France.
The villa is worth a trip.
It's so beautiful and so dramatic there.
One summer when I was there, fires were blazing in the hills above the villa and great plumes of threatening smoke formed a backdrop to the scene. As I walked out onto the villa terrace, big old army planes were swooping down to the bay nearby and with giant metal scoops were grabbing up seawater to take up into the hills to douse the flames. It was noisy--the buzzing planes and slosh of water, but heroic and dramatic...and soon the smoke and flames died down. The villa have been witness to much drama.
all very best for the holidays, whereever you are! DIANE

diane this looks heavenly... i will hope to visit ...

2009-12-06T09:45:09.829-08:00

diane
this looks heavenly... i will hope to visit someday very soon. have a lovely holiday.... x pam

A lovely and stylish piece of history. Thanks for ...

2009-12-06T04:23:21.958-08:00

A lovely and stylish piece of history. Thanks for sharing. :-)

Shannon

It is always fascinating to see an absolute passio...

2009-12-05T21:14:38.645-08:00

It is always fascinating to see an absolute passion for any period or style played out to its most complete-doing so makes it truly timeless. I can imagine the stillness that surrounds a place like this. Tragic family losses but what a living testament to beauty for those who continue to seek it amidst an unkind world. beautifully written and shared. la

HI SALLY- I'm so pleased you're discoveri...

2009-12-04T19:48:45.384-08:00

HI SALLY-

I'm so pleased you're discovering it for the first time--as you and SA have seen every great house in Europe and America.
The villa stands on one of the most beautiful locations in the world, and you are minutes from Nice and Cannes and Monaco.
Best of all--it is usually deserted and 'security' is very subtle-to-invisible. Nearby is the Villa Ephrussi, very Beaux-Arts and over-the-top, and many people are lured by its garden and the grandeur, leaving the Villa Kerylos quiet and peaceful, so that a serious visitor can peruse every detail in peace and contentment. Note that the furniture was made by Saridis--and many pieces are still made today.
cheers, DIANE

How can I have missed going to this Fab Villa? Tha...

2009-12-04T15:59:28.135-08:00

How can I have missed going to this Fab Villa?
Thanks so much for the introduction!

Good afternoon, Dear Friends- Thank you so much fo...

2009-12-03T16:15:13.136-08:00

Good afternoon, Dear Friends-
Thank you so much for your ebullient comments.
Villa Kerylos is on the list of 'top architecture' of many architects and designers.
It is full of inspiration--and in retrospect it feels so modern and contemporary (esp for a house that is almost 100 years old).
It's important to note that I had to search and research for the tragic family story. Perhaps it is not surprising that in the official notes I did not see any mention that Reinach family members were deported and killed. It is such a beautiful property--and for me this utterly sad history makes it seem even more poignant.
Reinach was a man of great optimism and love of the arts and love of beauty. Certainly his heirs keep a very low profile.
The house is superbly maintained. Unlike many former private residences now in the hands of the state of an organization, Villa Kerylos feels alive and well...and not at all institutional. I hope you all visit soon. You will be so inspired.
Important to note: whenever I have visited over the years, there have never been more than a handful of design and architecture fans wandering about, and you hardly feel their presence. I am captivated by the place--and feel alone there, in my reverie.
cheers and happy days, DIANE

This Post really rubs salt into my wounds! To vis...

2009-12-03T12:50:21.850-08:00

This Post really rubs salt into my wounds!
To visit Kerylos has been at the top of my "to do" list several times, but it keeps being over looked. It is now back at the top! Thank you for the reminder.
I visit the Musee Comondo every time I am in Paris, but have never picked up on the name Reinach, and the connection. I also give you Many Thanks for this sad bit of information.

Diane, just simply beautiful and made more wonderf...

2009-12-03T12:20:44.395-08:00

Diane, just simply beautiful and made more wonderful by your commentary. I love the South of France and have vacationed in a lovely home in Juan les Pins many times...so reading this was especially poignant to me as my darling husband can no longer travel and we had so much fun during our times there.

The people who say you write too much (absolutely hilarious comment) must know WAAAY more than you. The rest of us love you!!!

It must be like a visit to Eden. Lovely.

2009-12-03T09:20:09.198-08:00

It must be like a visit to Eden.
Lovely.

Just gorgeous. I recently borrowed a book about th...

2009-12-03T08:30:51.645-08:00

Just gorgeous. I recently borrowed a book about this villa and have been secretly plotting a trip there. I had not heard what happened to the Reinach family, only that they donated the house as a museum. Thanks for sharing this.

Ooh and ah. The south of France is one vacation on...

2009-12-03T08:09:19.702-08:00

Ooh and ah. The south of France is one vacation on my list of places to go! Beautiful images!

Welcome back Diane! Incredible story, even with th...

2009-12-03T08:06:50.491-08:00

Welcome back Diane! Incredible story, even with the tragedy. It's amazing that there are some who are so compelled to search for beauty, who live to preserve the best efforts and art of mankind. Grateful that it's preserved as an historical monument, and that your melodious writing brings it into our homes. Thank you, Trish

what a glorious place (with a sad history unforuna...

2009-12-03T06:42:15.596-08:00

what a glorious place (with a sad history unforunately). I am adding this to my list of vacation 'musts'!

Amazingly beautiful - thanks for the tour.

2009-12-03T06:21:13.769-08:00

Amazingly beautiful - thanks for the tour.

oh what a fabulous gem and an exemplary source of ...

2009-12-03T06:19:40.697-08:00

oh what a fabulous gem and an exemplary source of inspiration !
am so eager to see your pics of Indian splendor!
:-)