When Yves Saint Laurent Couture House co-founder Pierre Bergé and his late partner—fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, himself—first purchased the 19th-century, neo-Gothic Château Gabriel some 25 years ago, they decided to tuck a small, Russian-style cabin deep into the 120-acre Normandy property. Called La Datcha, the secret log house was built by their fashion mogul-coveted designer friend Jacques Grange, who says in the March issue of Architectural Digest that he aspired to create a "pure fantasy" look based on the frilly wood country cottages of the 19th century. Now, after the death the Yves Saint Laurent and the subsequent sale of the main Château, Bergé once again reached out to his old friend to turn the place into not just a salon, but a fully-equipped country home.
Because the place previously had no sleeping space, Grange designed a one-story log outbuilding connected to La Datcha via covered walkway, which makes room for guest quarters and a petite master bedroom. The original structure is now used as a combination living room, dining area, and kitchen—all lined in antique Moroccan-style stained-glass doors and pine panelling, with a red-tinted beamed ceiling. The eclectic "Ballets Russes"-inspired decor comes from literally all over the world, and includes such finds as a 19th-century "Orientalist mantel," an intricately carved Russian dining room set from 1900, and antique french tiling in the kitchen. Outside, landscape architect Madison Cox dotted the two and half acre property in lush hydrangea gardens. Arch Digest has a few more ridiculously lovely shots, this way.
· Pierre Bergé calls on Jacques Grange to Decorate his Russian-Style Dacha [Architectural Digest]
· All Pierre Bergé coverage [Curbed National]
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