A Polish palace in Ealing!

Let's see what this Saturday will bring! So far, it's been sunny and the coffee was enjoyable! No way I'll reveal my secret plans!;-)
...
Now I can, they did materialise! I had a pleasure to meet the man London (especially the Polish part) is talking about at his very nest: The White House in Ealing. Many texts can be found on Prince Jan Żyliński, born in London of Polish parents and probably as many on his unusual residence. Well, this humble blog mentions it once or twice... Anyway, today I had a pleasure to meet the man and we had a long and fruitful conversation.

This is the view that opened to me once I got through the gate:

It is amazing to find a building like this just a short walk from my dwelling, in a typical, residential  area of Ealing Broadway, perfectly tucked away among mainly red-brick detached houses.
What a great inspiration it is to meet someone who made his wish come true! He is convinced to have found his true self which enabled him to connect with the outside world. The search took him a while and I do feel privileged to have heard so much about his life experiences. He mentioned the name of a famous spiritual teacher and healer: Waleria Sikorzyna and told me about his encounter with Buddhism and with The Spiritualist Church.

The object that immediately caught my eye in the Ballroom was a model of The Golden Lancer depicting his father and inspired by the famous equestrian portrait of Napoleon:

Prince Zylinski poses in front of his portrait. I couldn't believe that he is the man I went past a number of times in the Haven Green area by Ealing Broadway Station so near to my home!

You can see the spacious and modern kitchen behind the portrait and half of the dining room below:

My host told me about his plan to make the place available for visitors. Eventually, he wants it to become a museum and a cultural centre for the Polish people in Ealing, which to him is the heart of Poland on the British soil.

 'Forest bathroom' is remembered for Britney Springs who once recorded a clip here:

Muses painted by a Polish artist decorate the doors in the green library:

 The whole house and its interior were designed by the prince himself. Only Polish people have been working for him on the project. Yes, have been, as there are still things to be done. He is planning to demolish the remaining storage buildings by the entrance gate and replace them with the one matching the style of his residence. Then, there will be another arched gate, a copy of the existing one. The existing wall will be pulled down so as not to obstruct the view. Can you imagine that?

 Napoleon and Jozef Pilsudski are the favourite historical figures of The White House owner. Mr Żylinski is a keen admirer of the French art of the classical period. It is the source of his inspiration for the house design.

This ceiling is still white, but when the artist is back, she will paint Apollo and the remaining muses around him.

We couldn't go onto the terrace as the key had been misplaced. Never mind, I took this picture through the window to show you the distant London skyline withe The Shard sticking out its long headless neck.;-)

 Back downstairs I was invited to join my host for a glass of wine. Then we could talk more, talk and talk.. Yes. The Prince talks, but he also listens. He told me about his plan to turn this unique Polish dwelling into a Polish museum and cultural centre in the future. He wants it to become a place that would remind his compatriots about our roots and that would show that Poland is not only the country of builders, cleaners and waiting staff.

From him I learnt about another distinguished Polish man who lives in Ealing. Zbigniew Makowiecki is 96 and still full of energy. He was a lancer, fought in the battles during the first month of the Second World War. Captured by the Germans, spent the whole war as a POW (Prisoner of War). He settled in England in 1947 as there was no place for the Poles like him in the post-war Poland...

Mr Żyliński's current project is The Golden Lancer. It is a monument to his father and to all the Polish lancers who fought to protect their country. If you want to learn about Lieutenant Andrzej Żyliński, please click on this link and go to pages 16 -19.

One of the first things I read about The White House in Ealing was the story behind it. As a young child, Jan (or maybe Janek) promised his grandmother to rebuilt her splendid 19th century residence on the British soil. She lost it, when it was taken over by the Soviet influenced Poland after WW II ended. It completely burnt down. The Ealing edifice is not a replica of the family residence. It reflects the taste of its owner.

Jadwiga, Prince Żyliński's Grandmother is looking at as from this picture:

Right behind her is the father, Lieutenant Andrzej Żyliński, in his uniform:

They are both looking from the old photographs at their descendant, an extraordinary man who has proven that it is possible to make your dreams come true. However, first you need to discover your true self. Only then can you successfully connect with the outer world!

On leaving the residence I saw yet another patriotic feature:

These reminders of the old times are soon to be replaced by a building corresponding to the style of The White House:

I am truly glad to have met my eminent neighbour and to have visited his astonishing house. If you want to look at the proper pictures and read about the house and how you can get there, go to The White House website.

Seen off to the gate by my host, I emerged into the street lined with old and new read brick dwellings.

Here you can see a modern red brick house a few metres down the road from The White House:

On a clear blue sky day, far away behind the blossoming tree you may be able to see Central London. Prince Żyliński enjoys a good view from his terrace!

And here is still more red brick as seen through my kitchen window before the sun went down:

Good night!