Remember the Varykino palace from Dr. Zhivago? Yuri and Lara flee to this country estate in the midst of the Russian Revolution only to find its contents chillingly preserved in ice. One of the most hauntingly beautiful film sets, the 'ice palace' represents both a place where time stands still and the fossilized remains of an outmoded way of life.
No where is the intersection of cultures and traditions more varied than in the former Soviet Union. With influences from Scandinavia, Western Europe, and Central Asia, Russian style practically defines eclecticism. This selection of Russian-inspired decor shows how the right mix of traditional elements can create a bohemian rhapsody worthy of any modern manor.
Image: Ken Danvers, still photographer for David Lean's Dr. Zhivago










Comments (7)
Aaah -- I love all of this!
Excellent mention of Dr. Zhivago! its very much a landscape and interior design movie! I have been meaning to find a very cold blustering day to watch that film again, maybe before spring or it will have to be next year!
Cheers!
Dr. Zhivago was on TCM yesterday, uncut! Sigh, I just LOVE that movie. And the scene, mentioned above, is one of my favorites!! I bow to its set designer Dario Simoni.
does anyone remember a scene from this movie where he's sitting in this great chair with a scalloped back? I don't know how to describe it, but I so wish I could find anything like it!
I could never figure out how they managed to get only part of the house snow free.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HcZvO9mp3Io/S28o3tkGiLI/AAAAAAAAA4g/xcpY9N6o5J4/s1600-h/image-for-Phil2.jpg
from a blog documenting this architectural installation in detroit - there was another one out there on a much larger scale (some abandoned public building) that was incredibly impressive.
Thanks, christinetan! That's amazing!!