tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post2751484523416861311..comments2024-03-28T14:29:32.353-05:00Comments on The Devoted Classicist: Versace's Casa CasuarinaJohn J. Tacketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-71652559895849938432014-10-14T18:38:00.604-05:002014-10-14T18:38:00.604-05:00I was fortunate to be invited to go into this buil...I was fortunate to be invited to go into this building just before Versace bought it. The downstairs courtyard was paved in keystone tile and it was surrounded by statues of the explorers including Columbus. The window sills were beautiful old cobalt tile. The hotel that he tore down had some of the most magnificent Art Deco chrome sconces and chandilers. It broke my heart that they tore it down. So much historical architecture was lost on South Beach in the name of progress. Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06379619934375554234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-47848508343517880392012-08-16T14:21:31.383-05:002012-08-16T14:21:31.383-05:00I agree, Loi. It was a missed opportunity for exc...I agree, Loi. It was a missed opportunity for excellent public relations for the Versace label. I can understand, in this case with so much uncertainty for longtime success for the brand, wanting to 'cash out' however. Thank you for commenting.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-3170835013986422922012-08-16T13:58:43.026-05:002012-08-16T13:58:43.026-05:00If this was in Italy, particularly Milan, probably...If this was in Italy, particularly Milan, probably would be an important house museum as it represents the total Versace experience: from the china to the furniture to the textiles. Woodside Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981644571968878448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-59790504000362188452012-08-15T08:32:40.950-05:002012-08-15T08:32:40.950-05:00Although Versace's death plays a significant p...Although Versace's death plays a significant part in the history of the house, I prefer not to focus on that sad incident and the whole story which we'll probably never know. And of course, tourists had their picture taken on those steps before the murder. But that probably ruled out any consideration of keeping the house as a tribute to Gianni Versace. It worked for Graceland, generating revenue never before even imagined.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-22457616321750125142012-08-15T08:14:58.416-05:002012-08-15T08:14:58.416-05:00D.E.D., you've hit on it exactly! Thankfully,...D.E.D., you've hit on it exactly! Thankfully, Versace resisted covering over the courtyard as was later done at Vizcaya. But clearly the house would have benefited from a big, central, high-ceiling room. And surely both pools at Hearst Castle were an inspiration to the opulent display here. But I really appreciate that Versace had this vision for a oceanfront villa that he thoroughly carried through to achieve.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-78935016565903695842012-08-15T07:50:18.812-05:002012-08-15T07:50:18.812-05:00H.B.D., many people don't realize that the bri...H.B.D., many people don't realize that the bright, white South Florida sunlight washes out color, so the decorative schemes can be more intense. Individuality should be embraced more in interior design, but that wouldn't sell magazines which now seem to be geared more to achievable schemes for do-it-yourselfers. I agree with you; Castaing, Duquette, and Mongiardino are great sources of inspiration. Thanks for commenting.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-80120074209528691302012-08-13T14:22:33.868-05:002012-08-13T14:22:33.868-05:00What an extravagant home! Very Versace! When I s...What an extravagant home! Very Versace! When I see this home, I am always reminded of his tragic death. The house is too opulent for me, but I LOVE the courtyard. Though it is in the Cuban style, it reminds me of a Moroccan riad. So private and beautifully enclosed.<br />Cheers,<br />Loi Woodside Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981644571968878448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-30816620666960864332012-08-13T00:51:17.396-05:002012-08-13T00:51:17.396-05:00It's all rather as if Vizcaya and Hearst castl...It's all rather as if Vizcaya and Hearst castle mated and gave birth to a crack baby, isn't it?<br /><br />I loved it and was speechless when it was first done, and my feelings have not changedThe Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-51941376673204580532012-08-11T21:30:42.944-05:002012-08-11T21:30:42.944-05:00Yes, Julietta, but it would be a good location to ...Yes, Julietta, but it would be a good location to revive the old Southern tradition of receiving visitors "At Home", would it not? Very well; you have convinced me.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-58014659566228117722012-08-11T20:57:25.380-05:002012-08-11T20:57:25.380-05:00I lived in Miami while all this was going on, pre ...I lived in Miami while all this was going on, pre Versace, post Versace etc. Whether you like the house or not, the location, while attractive from afar, is a nightmare. Very small lots, right in the middle of all that riffraff that visits Ocean Drive. No way would I pay $129 million. Forgetting the interior design, the house has marvelous architecture and details but the location...no!<br /><br />As you say, there are better places like the Sunset Islands and Star Island where Al Capone lived.lindaraxahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721286284279902181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-31668238804275868352012-08-10T21:39:34.830-05:002012-08-10T21:39:34.830-05:00I see your point, Thombeau! Thank you for comment...I see your point, Thombeau! Thank you for commenting.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-29215669073875737792012-08-10T20:45:36.527-05:002012-08-10T20:45:36.527-05:00Great post, of a place that has always intrigued m...Great post, of a place that has always intrigued me.<br /><br />Still kinda miss Gianni. Were he still around, perhaps we wouldn't have to see so much of his sister. Or perhaps he would never have let her get that way. I guess we'll never know...Thombeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14610129742797260253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-30311055108293943052012-08-08T10:10:14.089-05:002012-08-08T10:10:14.089-05:00Interesting discussion. Having been bored silly by...Interesting discussion. Having been bored silly by the latest trend of anything as long as it's white or gray, I'm always cheering for the people who choose to live their lives and decorate their homes with passion. Genius is always off-putting to people who need control in their lives. I appreciate their need for calm, order and nothing to over the top. I, however, will always prefer Mongiardino , Duquette or Castaing.<br /><br />p.s. I think kissing a cow is much better than trying to put lipstick on a pig!home before darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272062955786414729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-86987509536689293392012-08-07T23:23:35.424-05:002012-08-07T23:23:35.424-05:00Reggie, I have had a 15 year discussion with an as...Reggie, I have had a 15 year discussion with an associate who contends that Gianni Versace's fabrics are a modern classic, a fresh take on neoclassicism. And he thinks that his use of his own fabric here was a brilliant marketing move and very appropriate for South Beach. Seeing the prices realized for the all-upholstered seating proves a point, I suppose. But I stand by my preference for the Mongiardino types of fabric instead. To each his own. Thank you for commenting.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-25448121029550210112012-08-07T22:45:37.658-05:002012-08-07T22:45:37.658-05:00Although the architecture of the house, along with...Although the architecture of the house, along with the remarkable design of its pool, remind one of Hearst's San Simeon (in a good way), the interiors are, in my view, beyond garish and cartoonish. I went to the preview of the sale of its contents at Sotheby's, and was amazed at how vulgar the upholstered pieces were, in particular. Ah well, there's no explaining taste, as the old lady said when she kissed the cow... One can admire the bravura of it all, but it is difficult to fully appreciate the florrid, over la top realization of it. As my dear sister says, "Hell is having to spend one's life living in the 'Heaven' of one's taste as a five year old," which is what this strikes me as being...Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-91793756393673911322012-08-07T21:56:39.806-05:002012-08-07T21:56:39.806-05:00Thanks, Frances. It is always good to see a consi...Thanks, Frances. It is always good to see a consistent theme carried through a whole house a still have some variation, isn't it?John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-64801093556113129942012-08-07T14:42:52.579-05:002012-08-07T14:42:52.579-05:00What a wonderful post, John, thank you! The sheer...What a wonderful post, John, thank you! The sheer effort and imagination that went into his house - and his collections - are admirable of themselves. Not really my aesthetic, but my applause is just as loud.Frances Schultzhttp://www.francesschultz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-53445157250686097572012-08-07T13:50:24.642-05:002012-08-07T13:50:24.642-05:00Blue, although I personally prefer the Mongiardino...Blue, although I personally prefer the Mongiardino version of this style, I do admire Versace for 'making it his own', and why not? What better way to showcase his own talent?John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-87093907325336038972012-08-07T13:46:11.865-05:002012-08-07T13:46:11.865-05:00Dean, although there are some absolutely wonderful...Dean, although there are some absolutely wonderful houses in Palm Beach, including a few that are indeed covetable, I think I prefer the year-around vitality of Miami Beach. Of course, the old estates on the ocean were replaced by hotels such as the Fontainebleau, but few realize that there are still fabulous (or potentially fabulous again) estates on Pine Tree Drive and the surrounding area, along with the other islands that comprise the city of Miami Beach. Somewhat off the radar of the tabloid media, it is again a playground of the International Jet Set, as evidenced in the listed price of this house.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-80059246948608057092012-08-07T11:39:10.038-05:002012-08-07T11:39:10.038-05:00Great posting John! Imagine inheriting 700 million...Great posting John! Imagine inheriting 700 million! One of my clients in Naples had her daughters wedding at this house. The grand parents lived on Pine Tree Drive. As for me, I do own one Versace silk tie, and bought a pair of his jeans when I was in the Versace boutique in Venice. I would have thought you would "covet" a house on Palm Beach more than this locale! <br />DeanDean Farrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11651467227402717540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4390485471778959088.post-68707153962538151532012-08-07T06:49:49.679-05:002012-08-07T06:49:49.679-05:00Florida Conquistador Style - the perfect name for ...Florida Conquistador Style - the perfect name for much of what one saw in AD over the years. I always liked the Versace style be it clothing or interiors - florid, certainly, and definitely one needed the personality to live up to it, but, most importantly for me, Versace's work had none of that Anglo patrician good taste so prevalent at the time. Latter-Day Roman Empire in all its Italian glory.Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07652670896513329236noreply@blogger.com