The House of Leleu: Classic French Style for a Modern World, 1920-1973 [Hardcover]

Francoise Sirex (Author), Eric A. Bye (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2008

—The definitive work on this French decorating house that played a key role in the history of twentieth-century interior design. —The firm's reach extended from the '50s style of Cap d'Antibes, to the grand salons of the League of Nations in Geneva, to New York, where Leleu had a shop on East 57th Street for many years. —The house was also a major creative force behind many of the great French ocean liners that served as floating monuments to French art, taste and savoir vivre, including the legendary Normandie in the '30s. The house of Leleu, and the family behind it, came to prominence as key protagonists of the Art Deco style in 1920s Paris, as contemporaries and competitors of Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann. Uniquely among the masters of that era, it continued as a creative and productive force for 50 years. The Leleu style, synonymous with refinement, luxury and quality, was expressed in a range that included furniture, textiles, carpets and wallpaper, and in commissions for the decoration of exquisite private homes, embassies, institutions and offices around the world. This comprehensive work covering an icon of the decorative arts was organized by Francoise Siriex, a decorator at Leleu from 1950 until its closing in 1973 and also the house's archivist. Rounding out the volume are a wealth of never-before-published period photographs, original drawings, and maquettes that detail the evolution and key elements of the Leleu style.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Francoise Siriex was a decorator at the House of Leleu from 1950 to 1973 and remains the firm's archivist to date.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Hudson Hills Press (June 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555952860
• ISBN-13: 978-1555952860
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #900,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profusely enhanced with both black & white as well as color illustrations, July 12, 2008

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House of Leleu: Classic French Style for a Modern World, 1920-1973 (Hardcover)

Just as there are specific interior designers who have achieved international acclaim for their work, so there are interior decorating firms that have achieved world wide reputations for the enduring quality of their accomplishments. Such a company was the family firm of Leleu who first came to prominence for their Art Deco style in Paris, France during the 1920s and maintained a world-wide reputation second to none until they finally closed their doors in 1973. In the 1950s they were acclaimed for the luxury and refinement of the Villa Medy Roc in Cap d'Antibes, the grand salons of the Geneva, Switzerland based League of Nations, to their many projects throughout New York City. Of special note was their work with interior design of the elegant French passenger ships of the 1920s and 1930s such as the 'Ile-de'France' and the 'Normandie', and in 1962, the 'France' -- last of the great French ships. Now a compendium of the best of their work with respect to decorating private homes, embassies, offices, public institutions, furniture, textiles, carpets, wall paper and more are showcased in "The House Of Leleu: Classic French Style for A Modern World 1920-1973". Profusely enhanced with both black & white as well as color illustrations, " The House Of Leleu" was prepared under the direction of Francoise Siriex and ably translated into English by Eric A. Bye. This 480-page compendium is informed and informative, a veritable showcase of more than fifty years of Leleu's distinctive interior designs, and a critically important addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library 20th Century Interior Design reference collections and supplemental reading lists.