Kismet

The facade of the residence, the pool area, the gardens, and director George Cukor.
In the drawing room, Chinese Chippendale giltwood pier mirrors hang above Regency chinoiserie lacquer commodes.


Now back down to business. As I was flipping through the vintage Architectural Digests (the HG's have been scoured and set aside) by the light of my kitchen window (our power was out, horrible ice storm) I ran across this little jewel.



If you were here on Monday, you might recall that the house that is currently the home of Lynn von Kersting once belonged to the legendary Hollywood director George Cukor.



Copper cornice and fireplace, parquet floor.


It did occur to me that a house of such notoriety had likely been photographed during Cukor's era as well. It seemed a shame that I wouldn't have the chance to see it.



This image is very dark, even in the original. Venetian blackamoors in each corner. I adore the red chairs, which appear to be leather.


Then, in the warm light of the east window, I paused, coffee cup half-way to my lips. (Thank goodness for the French press.)



Entrance hall. Pair of Louis XVI bronze sconces and a suite of antique carved and silvered wood grotto furniture from Wales.

Architectural Digest, in January of 1978, "visited" George Cukor.


Yes, the bronze head of Tallulah Bankhead is quite a conversation starter, but, oh, those chairs.

The house was originally decorated by William Haines. Cukor said, "Mr. Haines may have asked me some questions, and I might have asked him some questions. But he did the house. That's not to take away from my personal taste and knowledge. The house suites me perfectly, and I know that I belong here. That's his skill and talent."

In the library. I thought this lamp might be friends with Courtney's.


And Cukor waxes poetic on his home. He had a passion for it and his friends who settled there from time to time. In an age of Hollywood frenimies, this was a man who maintained friendships, many friendships, for a life time.


A photo gallery of friends lines a hallway.

I've said before that some houses have soul. This is clearly one of them.

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