A Closer Look: The Homes of Lee Radziwill | Cultured Elegance 

She apparently was hated by The Radziwill family for her spending

Not really honey. It just Chintz fabric and loud papers much of the time. There is a limit.

@@orion8835 Well, sweetie, you don't know what you're talking about.

@@orion8835 Just because you work at Joann's Fabrics doesn't mean you know anything about designer grade textiles.

Seems everyone of all financial levels were wallpaper happy!

That's funny, "Queens of Wall Coverings", covers more materials.

Boli odpoene snobky a mysleli si ze au nadludia Dat im jednu izbu s kupelnou a videli by ste ake by boli krasne.

@@nancyericson4263 Let's understand that Lee Radziwell or Jacqueline Kennedy were never themselves "wall paper" in any room they entered, but as reps of Old Money, were quite accustomed to seeing wall paper in many rooms they entered.

She pared down in Paris as she aged, after that Aristotle mess. Aristocrats often have old, used furniture they keep around. Not the same kind as the old, used stuff I buy. I just don't care for Regency.

As most people do.

The Bouvier sisters were raised in Society. They were raised with class. They were exposed to great taste. They were "in the book." There was no name in America with more socal cachet than That some of you don't like their taste, or understand it, was of little concern to The Beautiful People. Most of you In this room are not responsible for creating a lasting style. Think of the (Grace) Kelly bag or the (Jane) Birken bag. Your like of orange & purple stripes will not be embraced by people with taste. You are not among the crowd who matters, they could care less about you. Pattern on pattern is a very chic choice, likely to be embraced with the Social Circle, and their Decorators, important, big name Decorators. Who aren't cheap to hire. Many refuse possible applicants who just aren't "our kind Darling." You are unlikely to add anything of lustre to their portfolios. You are unlikely to get them noticed by Architectural Digest or The New York Times magazine. Your taste and creativity might be adored by friends and neighbors. Unless you are an extraordinary housewife with impeccable taste in wallpaper and chintz, like Sister Parish, you are not likely to make it to Architectural Digest either. Or Royalty, or First Ladies. This is the way things are. People named Trump or Kardashian are never going to be admired by the cognoscenti. Margaret Russell was the very successful editor of Elle Decor. She was chosen to succeed the legendary Paige Rense who elevated the ordinary Architectural Digest into the Magazine of Record for serious interior decoration and famous clients and Decorators. Quite a promotion for Margaret Russell, who was probably the most qualified person to assume that mantle. Early in her tenure editing AD, Margaret had the. unmitigated gall to put two Kardashian sisters on the cover of Architectural Digest. Margaret Russell was fired

I can,loved!❤

Looks like a thrift shop to me. For me, elegance is simplicity.

I agree

Most of the comments are negative and most likely from people who have a house full of Levitz furniture circa 1998. The Bouvier sisters had absolutely exquisite taste. If you notice, all of the furniture pieces are either classic American or French. Those have never nor will ever go out of style. Some of the fabrics are contemporary for the time, but those are easily swapped. Those NYC apartments are top to bottom stunners in any decade. Lee was featured multiple times in Architectural Digest. The woman had incredible style. Haters are gonna hate.

Wow how amazing! What a great story!⚜️

❤ Amazing

I can't even stand this pronunciation of curt-tins.

LOL. That was "the rich look" 50 years ago. These homes are ALWAYS over done.

@@LannieLord Just show's money can't buy good taste .

@@joanmatchett8100in the 50s this was good taste I can bet in 70 years what you consider “good taste” will be out of date lol

@@joelchesters4184 I like classic clothes and furnishings, but you could be right. Who knows what the future will bring ? .

I can't understand how all of those competing patterns and colours in a room can be considered "good taste". It makes me feel like I've got some work to do just looking at it.

And most of what she wore were contemporary classic which these days still most of the designers revive and revive and revive...It is even very difficult these days to find ladies I mean in 21st century who can CARRY these styles with such ??Couldn't find the word.Basically,we no longer have women who can CARRY a look.Most of the time the dress carries them.Basically,you have it or dont have it.look some styles she wore were quite simple but she had the inner essence.I am not going to go much into their interior design preferwnce.You know they travelled a lot including hotels,cities,seaside,mountains,lakes,skyscrappers,chalets etc...I most of the time fall in love with a detail I see in a different location.So,most probably they were also.They wanted to recreate the ambience they loved very much in their homes and they had money.If you travel a lot,your home & homes become what you appreciated .And they had to stay in very minimalist decorations aswell.And they were not designers themselves but great stylists of their own I assume.So,their homes were a kind of design/styling project for them..

Lee and Jacqueline were not close after their mom ( Janet) passed away! It had something to do with Jacqueline stealing Ari Onassis from her! Jacqueline was ruthless about getting money!

I agree with you Tina Rennett! Welcome to the channel! Thank you for your delightful comment!

I like your reply.

Thank you! I adore the flowers everywhere too! Where have you heard his name pronounced that way? ⚜️❤️

I'd advise her to also consult Google or same for correct pronunciation of moire. We'll overlook vase as it's regional. m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wNd1y5--8FU.html

Dear Gianna, It's always a good day when you learn something new, and thanks to you , this was my lucky day. I never even tried to pronounce that man's name in my mind, so thanks for that tip. I love his style. It's a mix, and I want to believe I understand that mix. The Buatta book rests here next to me; it sits atop an African stool, which makes for a delight-full cigarette "table." I am familiar with his style, kinda Sister Parrish with fresh air and pizzazz. As a youngster. I really liked Asian minimalism, until, one-day, I didn't. Since that time, I never thought much about maximalism, but I feel today that I can't get enough stuff in my rooms. Stuff being relative, I say, bring it on, make my pack-rat heart come alive. Life grows more complex, and so does my floorplan. As to Princess Lee, there is just something so sublime about all those framed-prints sets mounted with precision atop figured walls. That dynamic threatens to blow up at any time, yet, this is where talent becomes evident, the center does hold. Bravo, Modigliani !

@@CulturedElegance Hi, well, I live in Italy & speak Italian, & he is among the most famous & admired designers here. The most beautiful book on his work was already out of print when I discovered him, I managed to find a copy on eBay but guess someone else liked it as well, because my order never arrived! I found another book, but not as complete a history. I should try again but I need to start getting rid of books instead of buying more! That said, the beauty brings such joy!

@@jackmason4029 Jack, you made me laugh, because you described my life to a T. I wish I had that understanding of Renzo Mongiardino you’ve gained. I started with Asian style, because we lived in Japan when I was a child. Then I came to Italy & for a while I was into all things Italian, but slid into the gracefulness of French. Finally said stop you crazy woman, when I inherited a gigantic Venetian style mirror that is more villa than Italian farmhouse style. When I finally retired I discovered my Three Bears house (juuusst right) was too small for all my & inherited collections, so my pack-rat holdings have to rotate. It doesn’t help to have fabulous antique markets close by. I have 6 new pictures to frame, had gallery walls before they were a thing, & even the bookshelves are hung with art, there’s a bit of space left in the stairwell…. And yes, to have those incredible florals as a backdrop would be delicious. I hope you’re able to not just understand but recreate that style! Best of luck!

Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you!😊

@SOPHIA-ZK3TW, THE POOL AREA WAS THE BEST LOOKING OF THE WHOLE PLACE.

Those Sister-Girls knew how to pick Interior Decorators like nobody's business. Lee sewed all her own clothes.

@@JackMason-oq8lf Who told you she did? She was always seen with designer stuff - mostly Armani and Valentino - some gifted, most heavily discounted.

@@MTMF.london Don't they have Irony, capital I, in London? Doesn't England do Sarcasm anymore? Can you see Lee Radziwell in a stupor trying to pump a sewing machine? She'd probably fall over before she put the zipper into the ball gown. The Girls did have crusty old money taste, but they did also have Billy Baldwin and Sister Parish and Bunny Mellon, et al, as kitchen help. Bunny Rabbit designed and planted the Rose Garden. Lee Radziwell in photos always looked better than Nan Kempner or Jackie, twelve times better than Sleezy Guest. Lee's deary diary was Truman, who also enjoyed sewing things while he drank.

@@JackMason-oq8lf Yes, they do darling. But isn't it so utterly boring spouting same old bitchy remarks under the guise of irony? Seems like a lot of little people belittling each other to make themselves feel big - 🤪🤪

So?

Indeed!❤️⚜️ Love that idea!! I’ll put it on the list!

For several years, she worked for Armani and wore the clothes he designed.

As for taste, Lee definitely came out ahead of her more cautious Big Sister. Her homes are distinguished by their beauty. Her choice of interior decorators was top notch. Her lasting "legacy" was her sense of fashion and style. There are dozens upon dozens of Pinterest pins of Lee dressed to the 9s. She quite often looks better than anyone else in the room, including that silly Nan Kempner or that stodgy CZ Guest. It can be noted that Lee was one of Truman Capote's swans. She adored his attentions and confessed much to him. He kept her secrets and did not retaliate against Lee as he did with some other swans, notably Barbara Paley. Lee became an alcoholic, and I would wager that Truman was a leading factor. He was often publically embarrassing when he was drunk. One story had Jackie driving Lee to an AA meeting, and then waiting in the parking lot to see how long Lee stayed at the meeting. Not real classy for either one.

Ha ha…not sure you can describe elegance as understated in some of the choices of decor…so many patterns in one room in many instances.

Thank you!! So glad you liked it! Yes she has a very unique style, and moved a great many times!

Same feelings here too, some rooms were passable but just way too much fabric. Also the fabrics used on such a scale must have cost a fortune. But I can imagine the fun it must have been to move and redecorate on a whim. Wish I could have a bit more means to enrich my life, LoL

its just what the aristocracy likes

@@hazel2546 They all jump around like toads. Middle-class people are so much more grounded. Real-poor people stay put, if at all possible.

I agree with you, too many items, doesn't have much space, might be a cold weather needs to keep warm.

Thank you Rita!! Welcome to the channel!! So glad you enjoyed! Comments like yours make my day!

Actually, Renzo Mongiardino is the real genius behind her best interiors.

True "effortless" elegance. So exquisite. Her classic fashions would look great today too. Thank you for this.

@@buddhahoo1 I wouldn't call it totally effortless; she did have to exert herself reaching for the checkbook.

Her interiors were designed by the great Renzo Mongiardino.

That’s your opinion.

@@Veronica-pv3qh To be able to live the observations of Thorstein Veblen does not imply good taste, often quite the contrary.

@@charlesvanderhoog7056 I’ve never read thorstein verblen actually. And having just looked at his wiki bio, I wouldn’t agree with anything he said either.

@@charlesvanderhoog7056 Cute that today's whizz kids treat old-fashioned good taste as a trend, like "Quiet Luxury." Those Mills & Zooms keep inventing the Wheel. Little do they know. The millinneals killed Culture and Refinement. Exquisite is not part of their agenda. Chic is not valued in their world. Sublime is a waste of time. The Baby Zoomers have even tried to turn their penchant for bad taste into a deliberate style. Good try kids. NOT.

It’s called chinoiserie

@@vanesastucki9665 Love it! Also think Lee was indeed prettier than Jackie, although Jackie has a classic look.

The lady has taste but fixated on flowers and walls covered exhausting colors. It gives me headaches. Big sister's s choices are far more elegant for me.

Lee still alive, was extrav😢agant

​@@camlacasse3760 Yea Lee was priettier

(...when our things own us!! "Guilty!")

Thank you for your lovely comment! Yes, a beautiful home!!⚜️❤️

Individual items and elements of decor are all beautiful, but yes, very busy. And it seemed to me that each apartment was just a variation on the theme of pictures hanging over fabric, and sofas blending right into the wall.

One woman's poison is another's passion.

There are some rooms that are gorgeous but, I agree, the different patterns compete and are jarring.

Lori, so true. My decorating style is "too much is almost enough". My home resembles a cross between a museum and an antique shop packed to the gills. But looking at her patterns upon patterns and color schemes, it almost sent me into an epileptic seizure. Money can't buy taste, and you don't have to be rich to decorate tastefully.

You said it! It’s the stuff of nightmares! I liked the daughter’s yellow and brass bedroom though!

Thank you Caroline!

Thank you Viktoria! ❤️⚜️

You are so correct!

Lee got rich because she married Polish Price Stanisław Albrecht Radziwiłł, no word about it!

@@mariachrzan2976 - Yes, you are very right, regarding that fact. - Although a remarkable lady, she could have never maintained the lifestyle she loved, with any Bouvier money, although the large trust that was arranged, by her Mother, (funded by the generosity of Hugh D. Auchincloss) could have carried her a long way, but ultimately, you are correct, it was Prince Radziwiłł that provided the vast majority! - Thank you so much for your reply and for getting me to thinking again.

Aw thank you!! That means a great deal!⚜️❤️

Great idea!💓💖

Jacqueline had Onassis Money after 1975. She could buy many things and money was no object!

Thank you!

Wow what a story!!! 🤣 thank you for sharing!!⚜️❤️

Clothing just used to last much longer. Strange story as quality of elastic was much superior too!

@@MsMesem Don't forget the repuation of both Jackie and Lee, they loved free stuff and were quite mean with money for certain things. Then again we all have a pair of less than perfect undies that we love and cannot throw away. When I made clothes for people I had a clients whose panties were so full of holes it was silly but she said that she loved them. Go figure.

So she went commando?

Yeah, the rich and the famous always think they should get more things - and for free too. They never feel they have enough - what shameless greed.

Welcome to the channel Stephanie, and oh my! What an excellent story, sad to hear about her character being that way! ⚜️❤️

​@@CulturedElegance Her father in law Joseph Kennedy showered Gloria Swanson with jewellery, furs and clothes. But he charged everything to Gloria Swanson account. Just like Sidney Poitier did the same to Dihann Carroll. I worked in an exclusive store and the rich and famous, are notorious for not paying up. One in particular took three month's to pay, and she's all over the paper's in Society section. You Tube.

@@luciaperdue5687you mean Sidney Poitier. not Belafonte !

@@ernestinehemingway7799 Thank you Ernestine have edited

Kinda kinky asking for something "palatial" to be decorated with a middle-class budget. That sounds like a lot of parachutes. Budget is important in decorating, but creativity or talent or vision of a person is what is needed to really elevate any space. I recall, with utter amusement, a quote from Andre Putnam as she was exiting a tour of some Sand Castle MacMansion in a dessert, new home of some odious person: "So much taste.... all of it bad." I also remember PT Barnum saying: "You can never go broke underestimating the taste of the American public." That's where decorators rush in to fill the vacuum. In a place as amazing as mine, New York City, it is startling to realize what conditions people live with. Money is no object, that's for sure. In this town of extreme wealth, why do so many people live in relative abject poverty? Good Taste is Timeless, and very nearly extinct. As the gay decorator Emory remarks in Boys In the Band, "Oh, Mary. It takes a fairy to make something pretty." And as I remark here on my sofa, "The loving hands at home" school of decorating is not fully accredited. Americans have awful interiors.

@@jackmason4029Parachutes are unbelievably H U G E. Probably one would be enough to supply curtains for a living room.

Thank you so much Pamela!! ❤️⚜️

Thank you!! Indeed!❤️⚜️

I agree!❤️⚜️

Right!!

Thank you Christopher! I definitely will be doing the same!!⚜️❤️ welcome to the channel

I' like the apartments in Paris, the best.

Thank you!

If you tour The Breakers in Newport, home of the Astors, they too did the one pattern decor all through the bedrooms. Doors, walls, bedding, all matched. It looked very stylish in person.

Loved her bedroom.

What does an important Chinese vase mean?

I AM A GERMAN SHEPHERD PERSON, NOT A PUG PERSON.

Thank you, my first thought also! Glad someone else noticed first!

absolutly yes❤

I AGREE!

I’m so glad! Indeed!

Thank you for the lovely comment!⚜️❤️

@@CulturedElegance You are welcome. Continued success.

Welcome to the cultured family!!! YES!! so amazing! thank you

She certainly was! Welcome to the channel!❤️⚜️

Queen who?

You NEVER heard of former American First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis or her sister, Lee?!? Did you grow up under a rock??

@@TeresaLipot Hahaha, no. I know about Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, but I didn't know that she had a sister. 😉 Maybe it's because I 'm from Germany.

@STEPHANIESTANLEY8041, IT WAS GROSS!

Renzo Mongiardino did her interiors.

Yes she had a wonderful eye!❤️⚜️ thank you for watching and for your wonderful comment

She sure did!!❤️⚜️

Mrs Guest did everything for show, including posing at homes she didn't even live in. It was all for Page Six, by which she lived and breathed. The rest of us read Women's Wear.

​@@JackMason-oq8lf who is/was Mrs. GUEST?

I would love to!!! She had some amazing homes! Great idea

@@CulturedElegance you're truly the best!!

What is Zitamers? She probably was sedated or just aloof... she was probably profoundly nekritično and disatisfied?

@GLADYSPEREZ8156, I WAS A HUGE FAN OF JACKIE ONASSIS. WHEN I FIRST SAW VIDEOS OF HER APARTMENT IN NEW YORK, I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED. LIKE LEES, TO CLUTTERED, TOO MANY LOUD COLORS, AND WAY TO MANY PICTURES ON THE WALLS. SO THAT DOES NOT MAKE ME AN ENVIOUS PERSON. I JUST DID NOT LIKE THEIR DECOR.

She walked down aisles and said, "I do."

It is a Le Manach fabric, but it’s individual name I do now know!⚜️❤️ www.pierrefrey.com/en/

@@CulturedElegance I think it is Mikado. However it seems to be discontinued.

Yes you are right! “Le Manach's Mikado: this pattern is loosely based on a fabric design called "The Chinese Acrobats", which was printed at the Senn, Bidermann & Cie factory in Wesserling in 1790.”

@Angelfeather100 Yes indeed, chinz is a beautiful fabric! And we found the designer and name of the fabric Shannon was looking for: "Le Manach's Mikado”

I love that fabric!❤