David Niven's house at Cap Ferrat isn't easy to photograph. It nearly always in shade - and therefore doubtless cool in summer. Taking photos with the sun behind the house doesn't help. Anyway - here it is and you can see how idyllic it is.Thanks to CityOutMonaco and editor, Alex Went for this information:
'Originally called Lo Scoglietto (Little Rock) with its private harbour, this beautiful pink Italianate villa was built in 1880 by Alfred Bounin, the son of an arms supplier to the Sardinian army, himself an olive oil trader from Nice.
In 1920, the villa was rented by Duchess of Marlborough, Mme Balsan, originally Consuelo Vanderbilt. It was extended in the 1950s and rented by Leopold III, King of the Belgians, one year before his abdication.
Later Lo Scoglietto was bought by the great Charlie Chaplin, and in 1960 he in turn sold it to the film actor David Niven, who was very much part of Princess Grace's social scene. Known for his gentlemanly appearance and clipped English accent, Niven had already enjoyed an immensely successful career starring, for example, in the Powell and Pressburger film A Matter of Life and Death (1946) and winning an Oscar for his performance in Separate Tables (1958).'
More tomorrow:
Looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteSplendide.
ReplyDeleteCette villa a un petit air de macaron Ladurée, mais sans ostentation ni préciosité. J'adore ;-)
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ReplyDeleteHi Jilly. Sorry - there's a factual error in my piece quoted above. The king of Belgium who amassed that great personal fortune through his misguided ventures in the Congo was Leopold II, the grandfather of the Leopold who stayed in the villa. Great photos, by the way :)
ReplyDeleteI figured David Niven would know a stylish way to live. Interesting information on the history of the villa.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I've removed the relevant sentence. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLovely house, Jilly. I remember reading David Niven's autobiography years ago. The man had natural elegance, sharp wits and a scathing sense of humor. Great shot! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Nice piece of history, beautiful villa!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting and just really lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a teenager, I had a mad crush on David Niven even though he was old enough to be my father. I've been a sucker for a proper English accent and a suave manner ever since.
ReplyDeleteHaving passed by that villa many times, I have to say, you have done a great job of photographing it!
ReplyDeleteI am certainly not a photographer but have given it a try with this villa and the pictures always come out too dark. You have done another splendid job! You bring back all the wonderful feelings of being there and I think that's what counts with pictures as well.
Thank you!
Wow! This is such a splendid post! Brilliant post.
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