IT IS WELL KNOWN that I have a thing for toile, especially toile on toile–the walls, drapery, chairs, everything. And so of course I fell in love with Imogen Taylor’s wonderful home in a French medieval village. After an illustrious 50-year career at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, Taylor, at 76, found her new home in Semur-en-Auxois, a village in Burgundy on the banks of the Armançon river. Furnished with furniture from her London flat that she sold, and with the help of local architect Guy Cabaut, who brought in stonemasons and joiners, Taylor created the most charming and chic home imaginable. Our favourites are the chintz crown canopy bedroom and the blue toile de Jouy bedroom that overlooks the garden, and of course (that sitting room, which she calls the salon) that started it all …
via House & Garden
“When I walked into the sitting room, I said “Yes, I think I’ll have it”. My friend replied, “Don’t be silly, you haven’t seen it yet.” But it was exactly the sort of place and the sort of room that I had in mind: high ceiling, beams, a stone floor and a big open fireplace – very French. Never mind about the rest of it.’” ―Imogen Taylor, House & Garden
