In the midst of the forests of Normandy, France, Lillian Williams and her husband Ted found the chateau de Morsan. The chateau was built ca.1765 as a summerhouse, and at one point, it served as a hunting lodge. The exterior facade of the house reflected a French Rococo architectural style.
Lillian and Ted loved the grand house, bought it, and started the restoration process, simultaneously trying to preserve the architectural integrity of the era. As for the interiors, the owners of the chateau were inspired by the novel Dangerous Liaisons, implementing the classic style of the period.
Some of the furnishings, textiles, and colors at the chateau were of the Rococo period, but most were in the Neoclassical style that was popular under the reign of Louis XVI.
French blues and greens in the entrance hall, notice the curved Rococo doors 
Neoclassical furniture with the simpler lines, and the fluted legs. The color yellow was popular during that period
A chaise lounge against the pale and delicate color schemes
The soft colors in Lillian's bedroom with mostly eighteen-century Swedish Gustavian furniture
Another exquisite bedroom
Chateau de Morsan was considered a wonderful presentation of the best of eighteenth-century French style.
Photos 1, 4, 5,7 courtesy of Victoria Feb 1995, photography Toshi Otsuki
Photo 2, 3,6 Classic Style, photography Tim Clinch
8 comments:
What a beautiful house - love the curve and depth of the windows. Interesting to see how they handled the curtain in the yellow room - they have it at the very edge, inside the moulding. I suppose this is so the fabric doesn't impede with the lovely artistry of the window.
I agree, and it was also the new direction of simplifying window treatments.I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
Lillian Williams had a store in San Francisco in the late 70s early 80s. I was only 13 at the time but would visit her French wonderland of furniture, linens, ceramics. Pine tables were set with live doves in cages and stuffed farm animals with human bodies dressed in period costumes sat at the tables. I've never been more influence in my life. I wish more people were familiar with this womans passion, amazing.
P.S...The store was called "La Ville du Soleil" and was located on Post St.
Does anyone know if Lillian and her husband still own the Chateau de Morsan? I'm a graduate student of European history and trying to find information on their home. Any suggestions? I've scoured the internet but can't find any contact information for them.
Oh my gosh - I was just researching La Ville du Soliel and am so happy to see others remember this amazing store. I was also very influenced by LIllian's style.
Just found this when searching for La Ville du Soleil. I was young but still managed to purchase a few things fondly remembering a baby gift for a cousin who was having my namesake. Definitely influenced my style. Hope to get to France soon!
I was too! My engagement ring and some of my trousseau are from La Ville du Soleil and last night I dreamed I was there again — a very lovely dream!!
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