Eaton Square

54 eaton square, london, sw1w 9

A HOME IN THE CITY:

The Oliviers moved in to 54 Eaton Square, flat D, in the late 1950s. Eaton Square is located in London's exclusive Belgravia district. The flat was not large, but decorator John Fowler used color to make it appear bigger. The flat was divided in half by a long hallway. On one side was the kitchen, the other side were the bedrooms behind a door covered in a diamond trellis felt. Off the hallway was a pillared alcove which served as the dining room. John painted the pillars burnt-red and hung maroon silk and velvet curtains in the room. Larry's regal taste was evident in his study with its blackberry-purple walls, acid green carpet, and thick champagne-colored curtains. The main room of the flat, the reception room, featured a green and mauve French-looking fireplace and mirrored walls. A Degas painting hung above that fireplace. The flooring consisted of lime-green carpeting and a large area rug. Vivien's bedroom featured red and pink cabbage roses on fabric that hung from the ceiling. The fabric was pulled back by her fireplace to reveal a pink wall and a Venetian mirror. After Vivien's divorce from Larry, Vivien kept this flat as her own. She lived here with her companion Jack Merivale until her death in 1967. After her death, a blue plaque was placed on the building which simply reads: Vivien Leigh 1913-1967 Actress. The flat is now occupied by Actress Luise Rainer.

PHOTOS:

photo credits: Anthony, Jamie, Karl Jordinson, Irene, Turboff and the webmaster's personal collection. And special thanks to Simon!

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