La Pausa, the idyllic Mediterranean villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, was a haven for artistic giants and intellectuals from the 1920s to the 1950s. This is where Salvador Dalí painted his haunting landscape "The Enigma of Hitler", Winston Churchill penned parts of his multi-volume history, and Colette, Stravinsky, and Jean Cocteau indulged in lavish lunches that lasted all day and night.
Conceived by Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson in the 1920s, La Pausa was purchased by French fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in the late 1920s. She rebuilt the villa from scratch, transforming it into a sanctuary for artistic minds. After selling it to an American publishing couple, Emery and Wendy Reves, La Pausa changed hands again when luxury fashion brand Chanel bought it back in 2015.
Restoration expert Peter Marino meticulously revived the villa's original specification, including its iconic blue shutters, black crittall windows, and white-walled interior. Bookshelves now form the library's beating heart, holding a curated selection of books cherished by Coco herself, as well as works by her esteemed friends and acquaintances.
The library is not just a repository of knowledge but a testament to La Pausa's enduring legacy. It offers a glimpse into the lives of artistic luminaries who converged at this Mediterranean haven, sharing ideas and stories that continue to captivate us today. Coco Chanel herself saw books as a source of refuge and inspiration, using them to escape her humble beginnings and build an empire from scratch.
As we explore La Pausa's library, we are invited to reflect on our own bookshelves and the memories they hold. Like Neel's and Carrington's, these shelves reveal our inner worlds, curiosities, secrets, and desires. They serve as intimate portraits of who we are, reflecting our interests, values, and experiences. La Pausa's library is a poignant reminder that books have the power to transport us, connect us, and transcend time, offering a glimpse into the boundless imagination and creativity that defines human culture.
Conceived by Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson in the 1920s, La Pausa was purchased by French fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in the late 1920s. She rebuilt the villa from scratch, transforming it into a sanctuary for artistic minds. After selling it to an American publishing couple, Emery and Wendy Reves, La Pausa changed hands again when luxury fashion brand Chanel bought it back in 2015.
Restoration expert Peter Marino meticulously revived the villa's original specification, including its iconic blue shutters, black crittall windows, and white-walled interior. Bookshelves now form the library's beating heart, holding a curated selection of books cherished by Coco herself, as well as works by her esteemed friends and acquaintances.
The library is not just a repository of knowledge but a testament to La Pausa's enduring legacy. It offers a glimpse into the lives of artistic luminaries who converged at this Mediterranean haven, sharing ideas and stories that continue to captivate us today. Coco Chanel herself saw books as a source of refuge and inspiration, using them to escape her humble beginnings and build an empire from scratch.
As we explore La Pausa's library, we are invited to reflect on our own bookshelves and the memories they hold. Like Neel's and Carrington's, these shelves reveal our inner worlds, curiosities, secrets, and desires. They serve as intimate portraits of who we are, reflecting our interests, values, and experiences. La Pausa's library is a poignant reminder that books have the power to transport us, connect us, and transcend time, offering a glimpse into the boundless imagination and creativity that defines human culture.
la pausa sounds like the ultimate hangout for artists & intellectuals back in the day... i mean who wouldn't want to be sippin' coffee with stravinsky and colette all day? 
coco chanel's got some serious style cred, rebuildin' that villa from scratch was a total game-changer. and now it's like steppin' into a time capsule with all those famous folks' books on the shelves... book lovers unite! 
So I was reading about this crazy old villa in France called La Pausa, and it's like, totally famous for being where all these super cool artists and writers used to hang out back in the 1920s-50s. I mean, you've got Salvador Dalí painting, Winston Churchill writing history books, and Colette having lunch with Stravinsky... that's some wild crew!
. Can you imagine being part of that artistic community in the 1920s-50s? The idea of Coco Chanel using her love for books as a refuge is so inspiring 
. It's amazing how La Pausa's library has been preserved to showcase not just the owners' taste, but also their stories and connections 
. For me, it's like getting lost in my own bookshelves and remembering all the moments that made me who I am today 
. The villa's history is a reminder that our personal interests and passions have the power to shape us into unique individuals 
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I'm obsessed with how La Pausa's library is like a treasure trove of the 20s-50s art scene 
I've been reading a lot about the history of fashion and art, and La Pausa's library is like a window into that world 
. It makes me wonder what other secrets these shelves hold... are there any hidden gems or rare books in there waiting to be discovered? 
. Coco Chanel's taste is still iconic, but you can't help feeling a little jealous that she got to create her own sanctuary.