Mr. M and I have talked extensively about taking a trip to Buenos Aires. While there, I'm requiring that we take a side trip to Los Alamos, an estancia located at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Have you heard of it?
In 1926, artist Susana Bombal began working on rebuilding Los Alamos, a home she inherited from her grandfather. He had resided there with his sons after the Mendoza earthquake claimed the lives of his wife and daughters. It also became a haven for European immigrants, who were being attacked by Native Indians, upset their land was being encroached upon.
In the same spirit, Los Alamos became an artists and writers retreat because of Susana. Going through the guests books, you will see the likes of Picasso, Gandi, Charlie Chaplin and Jorge Luis Borges. The estate is still owned by members of the family, and thankfully they have opened it up to the public.
It is now a boutique hotel with seven bedrooms, surrounded by gardens and a pool. The rooms all still bear Susana's touches, including pieces she collected. It is akin to a museum, with original manuscripts, journals and art work from that time period on display.
The room above is my girlhood dream of a bedroom come to life. The mural was done by Hector Basaldua, and Susana acquired it from Harrods in Buenos Aires. She found the art nouveau iron beds at a Paris flea market.
I'm dying over the studded, destroyed leather chairs. Dying. I would also love the original wall hanging of an angel by Norah Borges.
More print, more textiles and gorgeous bed frames. The art hanging above the beds is by Eduardo Hoffman.
Photo of Susana on her wedding day, so beautiful. She also kept guests books, which showcase drawings and letters from artists that dropped in.
How amazing is the mirrored wardrobe in Susana's bedroom? It came from Paris, and there are framed pictures of fashion plates from 1861.
1940's wall mural by Raul Saldi.
Susana's study on the left, which as a floor made from Peach wood circles. The bronze portrait of Susana was done by Coco Quiroga. Images of Susana and writer Borges are in the image on the left. They had a 40-year friendship that was said to be only platonic.
Scanned by Moodboard from Australia Vogue living Magazine October/November 2002.
Photography Henry Bourne, Writer Harriet Anstruther(she can be reached at anstruther@me.com)
