Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

While on a run...


I know I've been negligent with Sybaritic, but I thought I would show everyone one of my favorite places to visit while on my evening runs, Elsie de Wolfe's Irving Place home. I just assumed this building had been demolished, but when I rounded the corner and saw the distinctive Victorian awning and balcony on the front of the home, I recognized it immediately. The image above shows the house circa 1900.


Her home, circa 1905. Note the demolition of the townhouses to the left of her home and the removal of the decorative balustrade on top of the cornice. 


The interior following de Wolfe's redecoration removing much of the original Victorian decoration.


The house today...




Tragically the basement of the house is home to a Japanese restaurant and the rest of the building has been divided into apartments. I'm not sure I'd like to live in this area, but it would be amazing to be able to live in a space that was once home to one of the 20th century's most influential interior decorators.