I'm certain that many of you are familiar with the late Susan Mary Alsop. A descendant of John Jay, Susan Mary led a most interesting life. During her marriage to her first husband, Bill Patten, Susan Mary lived in Paris, where her husband's position at the American Embassy introduced her to an array of diplomats, artists, and sundry sophisticates. It was also during her time in Paris that she had an affair with Duff Cooper, who fathered Susan Mary's son. This fact was not revealed until the child was well into adulthood.
The Pattens eventually returned to the States, settling in Washington, D.C. After Patten's death in 1960, Susan Mary married prominent journalist, Joseph Alsop, a former college roommate of Patten. Susan Mary and Joseph were among the leading lights of Washington society, known for their inveterate entertaining and their friendship with the John F. Kennedys. In reality, Joseph Alsop was homosexual, and the marriage eventually ended in divorce. But still Susan Mary carried on, eventually writing a number of books, including a compilation of letters between Susan Mary and her great friend, Marietta Tree, as well as a biography of Lady Sackville.
The photos you see here show Susan Mary and her Georgetown townhouse in 1980. Taken by Horst, the photos capture a home that is the essence of WASPy city living. Family portraits and antiques communicated Susan Mary's illustrious family history, while traditional fine fabrics, such as Brunschwig's La Portugaise, added a layer of well-mannered comfort. Decorated by the talented society decorator, Mrs. John Pierrepont, the townhouse is just as I pictured Susan Mary Alsop's home to be.
If you're interested in learning more about the life of Susan Mary Alsop, I highly recommend you read American Lady: The Life of Susan Mary Alsop. It's fascinating and would make for a great beach book.
All photos from House & Garden, November 1980
Love her home and it still looks pretty good to me. I was kind of shocked by her biography but fascinated. Marietta Tree is also fascinating along with their mutual friend Evangeline Bruce. They don't make them like that anymore. The real "Old Guard".
ReplyDeleteBased on what I read in her biography, I would say that she led a far-from-mundane life.
DeleteI find it admirable that both Alsop and Bruce wrote historical biographies, which I understand are well-written.
Such an interesting life, and reflected in her surroundings. Love the décor. I'm so pleased that the pendulum is finally swinging back to colour and traditional furnishings again. It has charm and character, and is much more cozy than minimalism and the vast greigeness that has dominated interiors in recent years.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, It is nice to see the return of coziness, charm, and character. It's about time!
DeleteIndeed! Things collected over a lifetime and across generations......all this Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware furniture will not be passed down with history and memories! These rooms resonate with meaning and history...and warmth. Thank you!!!
DeleteMoss green walls in the drawing room with a chintz which includes purple flowers might not be everyone's cup of tea but that room has always appealed to me! Years ago I was acquainted with a representative from B & Fils who never ceased to sing the praises of Mrs John Pierrepont II (or was it III?). Mrs P was one of those low profile designers who possessed a kind of quiet authority as I understood it then, so it was a treat to see these images decades later.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Pierrepont was quoted in an article years ago saying that she always had an apple-green room in her homes, typically the library. The accompanying photo showed those walls in a room filled with the boldest form of B & Fils' enormous Napoleon III chintz - mind-blowing
DeleteI believe that I have admired pretty much every Pierrepont-decorated room that I have seen. However, I don't think that I have seen a photo of the apple-green library with the Napoleon III chintz. Sounds divine.
DeleteMy entire cup of tea......leave me with that image.....happily!!! So divine!!!
DeleteGreat classic interiors, quite timeless, and they still look wonderful. I like mixing contemporary artwork with antiques to give a very traditional room a "fresh" face. Thank you for posting these Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteAnon- So glad that you enjoyed the post!
DeleteAlways admired her house which I pass every few days. All of these rooms are located on the back of the house -always wondered about the front that you see from the street!
ReplyDeleteStefan, Next time I am in D.C., you must take me by the house. I'd love to see it. :)
DeleteBruce's only book, on Josephine and Napoleon, is very well researched and written. Alsop's books - well, I've never been able to read more than a couple pages. Not good.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. I'll start with Bruce's book and will tackle Alsop's books down the road.
DeleteEvangeline's book is a "page turner" haven't seen Mrs. Alsop's......what a star Mrs Bruce was! I have every picture ever published (I think) of her rooms....in London, in Washington!.....those curtains.....I would hang them in a second even if they were in tatters!!! Acid green silk taffeta with the trim cut with pinking shears!! The room done by John Fowler.... and then moved to Washington!! .Oh! I have a photograph (several) in my memory of that room in both houses.....the rug....the furniture, paintings....oh could I just develop!!!??
DeleteBEautiful and wonderful post; I forgot to say!
DeleteWonderful interiors. Both beautiful and comfortable. This is a great post.
ReplyDeletePamela, Happy to hear that you enjoyed it! Thanks as always for commenting.
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