Love Orlova: How the Queen of the Soviet Screen Turned Her Home into Perfect Decorations

Even while taking out the trash, she powdered her face in front of the mirror. Even when alone with herself, she kept her back straight and spoke in a firm voice. Love Orlova perceived life as an endless spectacle, where intermission is not allowed. Her Moscow apartment resembled a scene from a Hollywood movie: perfect, glowing, where every detail worked to create the image of an impeccable star.

Main points from the article:

• Orlova turned her home into decorations for an ideal life;
• She couldn't stand it when things were moved without her knowledge;
• She cooked herself, but set the table like for honored guests;
• Her main fear was losing control over her surrounding space;
• Even her home robe was always ironed and matched the color.

Apartment as a filming location

The apartment on Mosfilmovskaya Street, according to the memories of those who knew her, could have served as a backdrop for any of her films: white walls, gleaming parquet, crystal chandelier, furniture without a single scratch. It was said that every item knew its place and didn't dare leave it.

According to accounts from contemporaries, the curtains were ironed to perfection, flowers were chosen to match the interior, books stood in order of height and spine color. Orlova didn't just maintain cleanliness — she created decorations for her own life. Even the phone cord was neatly folded.

Photo from: pinterest.com

Morning rituals of a star

Contemporaries recall that the day began early and according to a strictly set script. A light breakfast of fruits was served on the finest porcelain. Mandatory gymnastics was a ritual for maintaining form — even when her roles became rare.

According to rumors, the choice of clothing was a separate spectacle. The home robe was chosen by color and ironed no worse than a concert dress. The principle of 'that's good enough' was unacceptable even at home.

Kitchen under full control

Orlova cooked for herself, preferring simple food — porridges, soups, fish. But she served everything with restaurant sophistication: tea in fine china cups, gleaming cutlery, napkins folded into perfect triangles.

When guests came, every detail of the table setting was planned in advance. A regular family dinner turned into a small spectacle with proper lighting and atmosphere.

Life by script

Those who knew her recall that Orlova couldn't relax even at home. Her posture, speech, gestures — everything was constantly controlled. According to accounts from close friends, she couldn't stand it when someone moved things around the house. Each item had its designated place, and even minor changes disrupted the balance.

It was said she could get up in the middle of the night to adjust a misaligned blanket. Even before stepping onto the balcony, she would check her appearance in the mirror — the star's image was her constant role.

Fear of losing perfection

Behind the external perfection lay a fear of losing control. In a world where everything changed too fast, her home was an island of stability with its own rules.

Disorder was seen as a personal threat. Unmade beds, unwashed dishes, dust on shelves — all could spoil her mood for the whole day. She made plans even for domestic chores: when to change bedding, water flowers, ventilate rooms.

Photo from: novochag.ru

Solitude in decorations

The paradox of Orlova: by creating a perfect world, she often felt alone in it. Maintaining the image required enormous energy expenditure. Her home was both fortress and prison, where she was both director and the only actress.

Memoirists note that in rare moments of fatigue, she could say: 'How I wish I could just lie down and not think about how I look.' But these moments of weakness passed quickly, and the mask of perfection returned to its place.

Lovе Orlova turned her life into a work of art, but paid for it with the chance to be simply human. Her home was not a place of rest, but a stage for the play 'Ideal Life.' Although audiences were rare, the main actress never allowed herself to perform poorly.

Cover photo from: zvencity.ru