Day 202 - Room from the Hotel de Crillon



January 3, 2020

Gallery 546 is a small period room, perhaps 14 feet long and 12 feet wide, from the Hotel de Crillon, which was built on the Place de la Concorde between 1755 and 1775. (Actually, I suspect the walls and panels come from the Hotel de Crillon; I'm not sure about the furniture and can't find a placard describing its provenance.)

I haven't much liked most of the 18th century period rooms I've seen, but I find this one really charming, for many reasons. First, the five gold-framed  mirrors - one situated in each corner and one above a settee that faces a window- make the room feel light and airy. Second, the walls, paneling, curtains, and carpet are brought together by a harmonious, soothing palette of light blue, cream, and gold; most of the upholstery is also white and gold, with a pair of salmon-colored side chairs providing accents. Third, the furnishings are relatively small in scale and Neoclassical in design, with clean, restrained lines. Even the urn-shaped chandelier is relatively unfussy.  Finally, the room is uncluttered, with just enough furniture but not too much.  It all works together; no single feature screams out for special attention.

It all feels vey feminine- and indeed, the top of the writing desk (or is it a dressing table?) has a fold-up mirror. I am not sure the room invites reflection (there are no books!), but it certainly invites repose.

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