Lagerfeld's Previously Occupied Residence Available for Purchase After a Single Night of Inhabitation
Villa Louveciennes, the private retreat of the late German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, has recently been sold for approximately 4.7 million euros. Located in Louveciennes, France, this villa was a sanctuary for Lagerfeld, reflecting his love for design and personal style.
History and Estate
Villa Louveciennes was a private retreat for Karl Lagerfeld, a manor of cool elegance that served as a backdrop for his creative endeavors. The villa, situated 20 kilometers west of Paris, spans around 600 square meters and includes a grand entrance, elegant salons, a study, several bedrooms, four bathrooms, and an elevator.
Design and Architecture
The villa is a testament to Lagerfeld's design sensibilities, featuring a blend of modern and traditional elements. It incorporates various design icons and personal items that tell the story of his life and career. The interior design, while not extensively documented, is a total work of art, perfected down to the chrome fire extinguisher, composed like a collection.
One of the most notable features of the villa is the kitchen, which boasts five sinks. Another interesting detail is a painting in a room that ignited Lagerfeld's lifelong fascination with the Age of Enlightenment and the Baroque: Frederick the Great receiving Voltaire in Sanssouci.
Personal Touches
Like Lagerfeld's other properties, Villa Louveciennes likely featured an extensive collection of art, photos, and other design elements that reflected his interests and tastes. Lagerfeld was known for combining vintage and modern elements in his designs, creating a unique and visually stimulating environment.
In every room of the house, something of Lagerfeld's sternness, silence, and style remains. Inside the house, symmetry and refined simplicity dominate the atmosphere, reflecting Lagerfeld's preference for minimalism and lack of trust for the superfluous.
Interestingly, Lagerfeld kept his feelings, relationships, and past at arm's length, stating "Private is only my bedroom." His library contained between 250,000 and 300,000 books, and over 20,000 of them were counted in one of the annexes of his estate.
Lagerfeld's Personal Life at the Villa
The pool house is adjacent to a quiet, fenced-off piece of lawn, once the play area of Choupette, Lagerfeld's little Birman cat. Karl Lagerfeld is said to have spent only one night in the main building and instead slept in the glass pool house, an elegant cube with an integrated kitchen, bedroom, and sauna.
A room in the estate replicates the one from Lagerfeld's childhood on the family estate in Bissenmoor, Hamburg, with leopard wallpaper and an original Louis-XVI bed. Lagerfeld, known for reading ten books at a time, simultaneously in three languages: English, French, German, could recall philosophers, poets, historians as easily as others do phone numbers.
In conclusion, Villa Louveciennes served as a private sanctuary for Karl Lagerfeld, showcasing his eclectic style and design sensibilities. While specific architectural details are not extensively documented, the villa remains a testament to Lagerfeld's enduring legacy in fashion and design.
- The sale of Villa Louveciennes, a historic residence that once belonged to the late German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, has opened up opportunities for investors interested in the real-estate market and lifestyle of luxury homes.
- As a financial investment, buying Villa Louveciennes might offer a unique return based on its association with Lagerfeld's design industry success and the villa's rich interior decor that mirrors his personal style and taste.
- For individuals passionate about home-and-garden design and history, Villa Louveciennes provides an opportunity to own a piece of art with a fascinating past, steeped in the influences of the Age of Enlightenment, Baroque, and Lagerfeld’s eclectic design aesthetic.