Chinese wallpaper at the Baths at Badenburg, Nymphenburg Park.

Whilst on his travels my Australian penpal stopped at Nymphenburg where the park is full of fascinating follies. Built in 1722 by Joseph Effner the Baths (or sauana) was the focal point of the park.

I love that the building is set in a lawn of daisies. I hate the American preference for pristine green lawns; give me wildflowers!

 The main room right when you enter is the banqueting hall.

The ceiling frescoes were badly damaged by the bombing of Nymphenburg during WWII but have been recently restored.

 I love these mirrored niches mirroring the transoms over the french doors. Both transoms and niches hold a collection of busts.

 The baths are shockingly opulent. The balcony above was for people to observe those in the pool below.

The most amazing part of this pavilion though are the original but recently restored hand-painted Chinese wallpaper in the 4 rooms of the "Elector's apartment".

 This room featured beautiful pink tea-stained and emerald green birds and flowers.

Another room features a more scenic Chinese wallpaper.

 The details are fascinating.

 The colors also are amazingly vivid.

 The houses in this wallpaper are the main attraction.

The park is full of beautiful follies and looks like a great place to spend a day.  Thanks to my penpal for sharing his travels with us all!

Sanssouci details

While summertime 'downtime' (obviously) continues on this blog I thought I'd share some images my Australian penpal was nice enough to share with me of Sanssouci.

 I've blogged about the rococo palace in the past (here and here) and it never gets old.

 While this style may not interest you the attention to detail cannot fail to impress.

 This collection of porcelain on gilded brackets above reminded me of Howard Slatkin's NYC apartment.

 Notice the very successful jib door (closed) to the left of the chairs in the guest room above.

The chairs have a very modern looking ikat type fabric. Many of the fabrics and wallpapers were recently replaced by a company in Lyon.

 I especially love the blue version. Notice the matching curtains.

 Here you see the same fabric in green to match a green guestroom.

 The marquetry work in this small cabinet is amazing. These side chairs sport a more expected silk damask.

My favorite room at Sanssoci, as I've said in previous posts, is surely the Voltaire guest room which he inhabited for a time.

 The polychromed boiserie are so fun and cheerful.

 Birds and fruits sit next to monkeys and parrots - could it be more whimsical?

 Notice the very modern looking grotto-esque icicles at the top of the mirror.

 The parrots almost look entirely free standing on their brackets.

 The wallpapers are also a riot of pattern and color.

Notice the intriguing electrical switch below which blends right into the paper. Of course in the 18th century they wouldn't have had any switches so it's nice to hide them.

 Again with the modern fabrics, doesn't this fabric below remind you of something from the 1950s?

I hope you enjoy these delicious detail shots of Sanssoci Palace!