Monday 8 December 2008

Un rêve d'or

I'm loving this spread in the latest Architectural Digest (French edition). A stunning collection of objet d'or by some of the greatest contemporary designers of our day, I wouldn't mind getting any of these from Santa this year!

The even more stunnng backdrop is the Hôtel Arturo Lopez, just outside of Paris. Built in 1903 by Italian architect Paul Rodocanachi (a frequent collaborator of Jean-Michel Frank), the Hôtel was bought by the wealthy Chilean Arturo Lopez in 1930. Every room has a different theme including a miniature copy of the hall of mirrors from Versailles, and a room entirely covered with shells. At the moment, from what I can make out, this incredible home (which was purchased by the local municipality in 1971) is now being used as a museum. I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I did!


This is probably my favorite pic...how stunning is that marble! The bronze table is by Meret Oppenheim, and the two gold spheres - one resin, the other gold leaf - are by Pierre Giraudon.


The light fixture on the left is by Hubert Le Gall, and the bookshelf on the right is by Vicenzo de Cotiis.

In front of a Herve van der Straeton mirror is a chair by Philippe Hiquilly, on top of which sits a rock table prototype by Arik Levy.

Above a plexiglas and polished pink mirror table by Guy de Rougement is a mirror by Hubert Le Gall.

A small box by Elizabeth Garouste sits atop a piece by Herve van der Straeton.

From Architectural Digest (France) No. 80, December 2008 - January 2009. All photos by Philippe Garcia.

7 comments:

cotedetexas said...

beautiful - the photography! My favorite image is the first one. Just beautiful for a Monday morning.

vicki archer said...

Truly stunning images, what incredible objects. xv

- Susan - said...

so funny, I just spent time on ebay to finally sell our object d'or with a heavy heart. Maybe I should stop the auction...

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Fyi ... Rodocanachi was actually of Greek origin, though French born ... very grand family, shipping and trading empire, still sort of prominent in Paris circles ... he also was Arturo Lopez Wilshaw's much-older lover and eventually left Lopez (who married his cousin Patricia Lopez Huici in the meantime) that fabulous house he designed in Neuilly ... which is now a museum ... Oh, and Lopez Wilshaw's last lover was Baron Alexis de Rédé ... see http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/list/im/107im.php

Suzy said...

Aesthete, I stand corrected -thank you. You have such an amazing wealth of knowledge, I think I'd better consult you on all of my posts from now on!

Paul Pincus said...

the le gall light fixture is stunning. i'm loving the bookshelf by de cotiis! i'm off to google his work : ) my best friend tobias has an arik levy rock table! i'm so jealous. it's gorgeous!

ps it's nice to know another william stout fan! my favourite book store! i also love argosy and dashwood.

Suzy said...

De Cottis does some great designs for Ceccotti (http://www.ceccotticollezioni.it/) as well as Progetto Domestico (http://www.progettodomestico.com/) - happy hunting!

Oh, and cheers back - do those other bookstores sell online and ship o/s? I'll have to check them out...