Pavilions and beyond

A shout-out to masterful Los Angeles interior designer Timothy Corrigan, who in an interview in the October issue of California Homes had some book recommendations—all of which I purchased immediately.

The first to arrive was Les Pavillons: French Pavilions of the Eighteenth Century, by English man of letters Cyril Connolly and photographer Jerome Zerbe (Macmillan, 1962). Long out of print, it's still available on the used book market.
Les Pavillons transports one back not only to 18th century France, but also to an era when books smelled of rich oil-based ink, coarse buckram binding, and hide glue.

Inside, its treasures are even richer.

Elevation, section, and plan of the Hôtel de Jarnac, Paris (1784-1787).

Since I am in the midst of designing a pavilion house of my own, this book was a wonderful bit of serendipity.

Le Pavillon de la Lanterne by Le Vau, in Versailles.

For those who may be unaware, Timothy Corrigan is a former Satchi and Satchi advertising executive turned designer who owns the former Chandler mansion in Hancock Park. He also recently purchased and restored the Château du Grand-Lucé—something more than a pavilion—in the Loire Valley.

Château du Grand Lucé.