Thursday
Jun302011
a royal estate
06.30.2011 
I’m infatuated by the Parisian home of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Situated in the Bois de Boulogne (a park in the 16th arrondissement of Paris), the Windsor Villa was quite remarkable. The couple was said to have moved into the estate after Maison Jansen, the famous Paris-based design firm, redecorated the home under the supervision of the Duchess. I was thrilled when I found photos from a 1939 profile in Life Magazine! My only complaint is that I could not find an image of the legendary pipe organ in their entryway. Wallis thought it an eyesore, so she had a library painted over it in trompe-l'œil. How brilliant was she?
Reader Comments (10)
Such a gorgeous home, she was brilliant!
I just discovered your blog last night and am in awe of it! Your content is so rich, varied, and beautiful! I had to give myslf a time limit just know when looking through your archives because otherwise I'd be glued to my computer all day... looking forward to reading more and adding you to my regular reading list!! All the best, Alice
What a wonderfull house !
Do you know if it still exists ?
So Line
http://tutuetbarbeapapa.blogspot.com/
Didn't you jst love the class from days done by! And yes! She was brilliant!!
Have a PRETTY day!
Kristin
So beautiful! I love the exterior, it is simply stunning :)
Kristy
www.idesignlove.com
Hi - just a historical note for context with regards to Wallis Simpson being 'brilliant' and 'lovely' - she was a Nazi sympathiser, evidence of this was made public in 1996 (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/britains-wouldbe-nazi-queen-1312830.html), although it had long been suspected. I'm sure you didn't intend it but it's probably not a good idea to glorify or romanticise wealthy Nazis.
oh my goodness! this is simply fantastic. I would adore to see these photos in color- the home looks absolutely amazing!
that is quite brilliant! i'd love to see a photo of that as well. i'll have to look for some color photos. i'm curious to see all the patterns together.
They don't make classic designs like this anymore.
the black & white photos of the windsor residence from life magazine are not of the villa windsor at bois de boulogne ... they show , rather , a previous residence at boulevard suchet