Since the announcement that Bunny Mellon’s former house in NYC has gone on the market for $49 million, with some of its original interiors intact, it’s been whizzing around the internet, and is also in the most recent issue of World of Interiors.
I remembered that Vanity Fair had published a number of pictures of her garden rooms in her Virginia house, so I scared them up for you to oooh and aaah over. I know I am reveling in their perfection.
The greenhouse in the garden of Bunny Mellon’s Oak Spring estate, in Upperville, Virginia, which features trompe l’oeil murals by Fernand Renard.
More detail
An arbor of pleached Mary Potter crab-apple trees leads to the garden entrance.
The arbor as seen from the greenhouse. Notice more trompe 'l’oeil painting on either side of the doors.
Mellon’s vegetable garden.
A teahouse with reflecting pool.
Mellon’s basket house (!), with a painting by Georges Braque.
Rachel (Bunny) Lambert Mellon, photographed by Henri Cartier-Bresson in her Oak Spring garden, 1962.
The accompanying article is really worth reading, as she had just turned 100 and was involved in a rather large scandal. Here’s the full article.
Wearing Balenciaga while pruning...with what appears to be the same shears as In the trompe l'oeil! Just to sit under her magnificent Rothko in her Library while perusing a 17thC tome on the medicinal aspects of Cornflowers, Dianthus and Pansies...ohhh, a Dream!
ReplyDeletePretty amazing, isn't it.
DeletePlease tell me that you’re going to keep this up! It’s so good and so important. I can’t wait to read more from you. I just feel like you know so much and know how to make people listen to what you have to say. This blog is just too cool to be missed. Great stuff, really. Please, PLEASE keep it up!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be a Mellon
ReplyDeleteI don't think we'll see this level of living again.
ReplyDeleteOr at least not publicly.
DeleteI so agree, it is good to be a Mellon. Great post. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteThanks, as always, Peggy!
DeleteSuch sophistication, class, taste and breeding. The ultimate chic!! I have admired her style, painted floors, and topiary collection for so long! Some of my friends and clients have personally toured her estate in Upperville. One of them said Mrs. Mellon had her butler bring down lunch with wine in a vintage French wicker basket for the researchers in the garden library. Thanks for sharing the photos of her former NYC apartment. Hadn't seen those before. Divine!!
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%
DeleteI love the trompe l'oeils.
ReplyDeletethey are pretty amazing!
DeleteNow I see the similarities of Martha Stewart and Mrs. Mellon. Both own several estates, garden , entertain lavishly, own a basket house and others I dare not mention....
ReplyDeleteI think that the differences between the two are greater than the similarities.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this. Your blog has always been enjoyable but it seems to be getting even better - great substance. We should know and appreciate the things that Mrs. Mellon and her family have done, most of which they chose to keep "behind the scenes." What I wouldn't do to see the library in Upperville! For now I think I will settle for just digging in the dirt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patty!
DeleteThere is a wonderfully comprehensive posting on the Mellon/White house by the Devoted Classicist
ReplyDeletewhich puts things into sharp perspective:
http://www.tdclassicist.blogspot.com/2013/10/mellon-white-townhouse-another.html
thanks, Toby! huge fan of TDC. He's a great guy!
DeleteFab post and wonderful article - thanks for posting the link! I haven't even painted the door to my attic (it was replaced six years ago) and this woman had sun-dappled shadows painted on her floors.... 8-)
ReplyDelete