Sunday, December 25, 2011

On Christmas Day


MR. GILBERT MARK COHEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY

As we're off to Villa Orlando for a traditional Christmas lunch with our dear friends the Marchesa Luisella and Marchese Ludovico Orlando Gavotti ...

The Villa Orlando, just one of dozens of such houses here in the hills of Lucca, was originally built in 1700 by the Orsucci family. Having been enlarged in the mid to late eighteenth century, it took its present shape in 1781. The villa remained the property of the Orsuccis until 1836, when it was bought by Carolina Murat Bonaparte, the Queen of Naples. In 1840 the house passed to Baron Costantino Tossizza, then later to Pietro Zanardi. In 1899 it passed to the Orlando family, who own the villa today. History is everywhere here, and the interior is a splendid example of a glory long forgotten now lovingly preserved.

8 comments:

Laguna Beach Fogey said...

Merry Christmas!

I like your chum's style. What sort of shoes are those...? V nice.

Paul Gervais de Bédée said...

Laguna, Many thanks for the Christmas wishes and all mine to you. The shoes are bespoke by George Cleverley of London—the only stitching is behind the heal and at the laces!

Laguna Beach Fogey said...

Ah, I thought I recognised the wanton curve of the chiseled toe...! Gorgeous house, but all I can do is remark on those shoes. Typical. ;-)

Sharon Lovejoy said...

I so enjoyed reading your wonderful book about your garden in one of my favorite places on earth, beautiful Lucca.

More in the works??

Joys to you and yours,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

ArchitectDesign™ said...

It sounds splendid, as is your suit. You'll have to fill us in on all of the details (and hopefully some photographs of the house!).

Paul Gervais de Bédée said...

Sharon, I'm so happy to have your comment, and yes, there's something in the works, I'll keep you posted! Architect, That's Gil's suit, by the way, and I'll do what I can in the spring for a post on the villa. Oh, and thank you Laguna for your compliment about the house, but you're right, the shoes!

Anonymous said...

Never mind the shoes and the house, what about the tucker, what did they give you to eat?

Best

Herts man

An Aesthete's Lament said...

It sounds like a marvelously beautiful house and a lovely place to spend any time at all!