Tea at Trianon: A House in Barcelona

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

A House in Barcelona

From Architectural Digest:

Over the years, the interiors of this 1915 abode—located in the heart of Barcelona—have continued to shift, thanks in large part to different generations of the same family who have continuously inhabited the space. The current inhabitant, who lived in the enchanting estate as a child, returned to the house after his wedding to begin a new chapter of his life. To help revamp and revitalize the grand residence, he turned to designer David Lawrence and architect Carlos Garciavelez of Carlos David.
“The original design was like a lightened version, it was very traditional,” Lawrence. “There was a lot of color and rugs and darker pieces of furniture. As the owners have evolved, they’ve wanted their home to be a little bit more clean.” Or, “lighter and airer,” as Garciavelez puts it.
The current inhabitants happen to be two avid art collectors whose thoughtful collection highlights Spanish and Catalan artists. The colorful works that the couple owns helped inform the direction of Lawrence and Garciavelez’s vision.
“Our intention was to create serene and neutral spaces that provide layers of comfort while not distracting from the art—or the intricate stone and lacquer detailing of the interior architecture,” Lawrence says. “We strove to achieve this by using silk and cashmere fabrics, mixed with antiques spanning from the 18th century through the mid-20th century.” Ultimately, these elements are, the designer notes, “peacefully ensconced among prominent works by Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, Josep Guinovart, and Xavier Valls.”
But as much as the story of this home is one of art and decor, it’s also a tale that hinges on impressive architecture. On the grounds of the estate, a glass pavilion addition can’t help but stand out.
“This addition was designed to provide a sanctuary away from the daily humdrum of the main house,” Lawrence explains. “[It’s] a peaceful place where our client can spend time in the company of his books and nature.” The pavilion was a real passion project for the owner and for Garciavelez, who took much inspiration from the Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich. (Read more.)