Down and Out at Villa Kerylos

Photo by John Puckett

Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a Greek-style home built in the early 1900s by French archaeologist Theodore Reinach, and his wife Fanny Kann, a daughter of Maximilien Kann and Betty Ephrussi, of the Ephrussi family. 

 It is at the top of my list of sites of our area. 

The dueling cameras made off with so many images of the house that I will need to post in a few slices. 

  But photos don't tell the whole story.

  For the full effect,  one should choose a sunny day to visit and although a ticket can be had together with the Villa Ephrussi, I feel that you need to see them on different days to really digest what is there.  

A bit of background on the construction is in order here:    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Kerylos.

  The short story can be found with wikipedia but the Kerylos house also has an official site:http://www.villa-kerylos.com/en  which also has some excellent information and photos. 

Photo by Mary Payne

 With so many details of excellence in taste and craftsmanship one would think that the Villa Kerylos  would be "de trop", but I don''t think it is "over the top".  The designers and architect were careful to stay in earth tones of similar values with both the decor and the furniture, only splashing out judiciously with a deep, rich red.  

Still this house is so formal, I can not imagine living in it full time.     But as a second home, I would bring some comfy cushions, duvets,  and mattresses and I could move right in. 

Our first album of this site I am calling "down and out" because it centers on compositions of the flooring (down) and the outdoor architectural elements of the Villa (out).  

Photo by JPuckett

Now how about some cushions or furs for these lounges.  We need something to prop us up so we don't choke to death.  Yes, that is a dining table.

Photo MPayne

 How beautiful can a drain be? 

Photo by JPuckett

Photo MPayne

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by MPayne

Photo by MPayne

 The mosaic flooring really intrigues me.  

PHoto by MPayne

PHoto by MPayne

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by MPayne

 And Imagine having lunch on this terrace.

PHoto by MPayne

Photo by JPuckett

Photo by MPayne

Photo by JPuckett

Photo by JPuckett

Photo by John Puckett

Photo by JPuckett

Photo by JPuckett

Well , if you had this property, you couldn't possibly be "down and out " could you?  Even a visit makes you feel privileged.