As I am sure you have heard, former actress and First Lady Nancy Reagan passed away in her Bel Air home yesterday morning. While I was only a baby in her latter White House days, I feel a sense of dignity knowing I was brought into this world at a time when there was a sense of grace and elegant entertaining in the Nation’s capital. She possessed a charismatic decorum and an Emily Post sense of refinement, which is a rarity in today’s fast-fix, no rules society.

Her favorite color of red was often found in her wardrobe and in the patterns used throughout the privately funded remodeled White House. Mrs. Reagan was not afraid to make a statement, I only wish I had her no fear attitude of the robust color. On the contrary, all of their California homes were relaxed ranches with clean lined furniture. Their early day California home was designed as a G.E. home of the future, an ideal backdrop for a present day Baker furniture ad. All of their homes exude a quiet elegance and an atmosphere of high balls of scotch, deep belly laughter, and the smell of old books. She had impeccable taste, but was incredibly understated in her surroundings.

While she lived a long 94 years on this earth, I am sure she is back to her vibrant self next to Mr. Reagan,  remembering all of the love letters they shared and the everlasting Love they will look forward to up above.

“I said from the very beginning, I don’t want a big house, I don’t want big grounds, I don’t want the trouble with the maintenance and all of that.” – Nancy Reagan

 

Pre-White House California Home

The GE home of the future. All photos here from Carl Anthony 

A very mod courtyard in their California home.

The entry of their home.

A carpeted dining room fitting for the time.

Another view of the Reagan living room.

Comfortable and no frills rooms, full of simple and clean lined furniture.

Mr. Reagan in his study.

Poolside with tufted yellow chaise longues.

Ronald and Nancy by the pool, I think this picture sums up their love for another.

White House Years

“I always liked red. It’s a picker-upper.” – Nancy Reagan

Vibrantly red in a well stated room. She was the epitome of a lady who lunches.

The most talked about china in the cabinet. $200,000 of private money to revamp the White House China

The First Lady and Elizabeth Taylor in the White House.

The President and The First lady enjoying a high style TV dinner (this was either Governor’s mansion or white house). Look at that red and white Chintz and matching curtains. They both pull off that White House red so well.

Rancho del Cielo

The President’s favorite low key escape: his ranch home on an incredible piece of land in Southern California.

Bel Air

A picture taken in their Bel Air home on Mr. Reagan’s 89th birthday. I love the beautiful chinoiserie wallpaper in the background.

Nancy Reagan in her Bel Air home via Vanity Fair.

“You learn something out of everything, and you come to realize more than ever that we’re all here for a certain space of time, and, and then it’s going to be over, and you better make this count.” -Nancy Reagan