The home of the designer Elvis Pompilio, "in which it is simply pleasant to live"

Passing the gallery

Transfer: Alexey Dramashko

A photo: Luc Wauman

Materials: - (c) East News/Inside

Magazine: N5 (50) 2001

"In the world there is nothing more beautiful than fairies and brownies," says a man who dresses up his charming and funny hats Brussels, Paris and New York. Country Elvis is like a fairy tale, and his life - is unusual. He contributes millions of colorful hues to his collections, sometimes he admires things that the other in his place would probably not even notice, he learns new things, restores old things, accumulates knowledge and transforms objects inspired by the thousands and millions of things around him. Third floor. The door opens into an unusual room. Two hundred square meters are occupied by the collection of green ceramics of Russian Tsar Alexander, old felt dolls, plastic couples in love (those that usually adorn the tops of wedding cakes). There is also a life-sized effigy of a grizzly bear, brought from Ibiza along with other trophies, whole piles of plush hat-boxes, blanks, materials. After all, all this is a source of inspiration (the shape of the handle of a vase may soon respond in the bends of the felt cap). Fifth floor. Suddenly we get into the hotel room: a giant bed, the same TV and a very cozy dining area. Slightly covered with curtains of simple fabric windows overlook the courtyard. Here there are Scandinavian, French, and Italian furniture of the forties and the late fifties from such well-known manufacturers as Castiglioni, Hansen or Roy`ere. Chesterfield's very comfortable chairs provide a relaxing stay. And then - a completely empty niche. Elvis says: “I have to constantly struggle with an obsessive desire to add some trifle here, for example, a small toy felt skier, a pretty gypsum fisherman, and so far I can do it. After all, I love this big empty niche and the endless peace ". The impressive two-level dressing room is next, because if not everything is beautiful in this world, “there are still so many wonderful pieces of clothing in it!”. In addition, Elvis guessed using some of his own acquisitions on a fashion show and in window dressing. Sixth floor. Here, among the gilding and damask, there are receptions and just small dinners. The premises again saw the light after some redevelopment work, because before that there was only an attic. The vast terrace as if tears off the roof on the south side of the house, letting daylight into the Swedish-style room: light wood floor, fire in the fireplace, cozy coverings. Seventh floor. Enfilade of small rooms, old attic. There is a mezzanine and a terrace facing the bell tower of the town hall, which with the advent of night takes on the shape of the Disneyland tower. This peaceful harbor a la Hemingway. Elvis says: "We had to destroy a lot, much was restored, we doubted, won, lost free space, but in the end we managed to create a house in which it was just a pleasure to live."