Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
To brighten up your kitchen, why not opt for this line of accessories with a satin finish and floral patterns, signed Brabantia ? From bread-bins with sliding lids (38 €) to the one with a round window (10.50 €), quality at modest prices. On sell in Aix-en-Provence : Botanic, Zac La Pioline (04 42 52 52 52). In Montpellier : Poivre et Sel, 29 rue Saint-Guilhem (04 67 60 69 71). In Perpignan : Geneviève Lethu, 5 place de la Catalogne (04 68 50 17 24). www.brabantia.com
Laurent Petry, founder of Sud Concept, is very clear about the direction taken by this company : “To meet changing requirements in the building trade while addressing environmental challenges raised by our clients, we offer the Bionergies label and thus select natural materials giving higher performance in every aspect of construction”. This high-end, eco-conscious company can thus look forward to good times ahead ! By way of example, Sud Concept makes maximum use of natural daylight, LED energy, the ISOTEX building technique (no harmful substances or emissions, optimal thermal insulation), geothermal heating and super-insulating joinery. In the Var and Alpes-Maritimes, the company will carry out a customized survey for your project, deal with plans, calculations, engineering, site follow-up, interior and exterior layout, while providing its experience, expertise and attentiveness to your wishes. laurentpetry@sudconcept.fr (06 79 65 76 21).
After demonstrating his talent in Alexander McQueen boutiques, English architect William Russell turned his attention to the cradle of COS, alias “Collection Of Style”, a vanguard version of H&M. He has come up with decor recalling the spirit of Scandinavia with pale wood chairs and shades of grey and white. COS, 27 rue Davso, Marseille (04 91 99 63 10).
A real ode to femininity, the Montblanc collection entitled “La Dame Blanche” has been enriched by two very distinctive new rings in white gold set with diamonds (4,950 €). Superb pieces of jewelry which certainly cannot fail to appeal to women of discerning taste. 7 rue Jacques-Cœur, Montpellier (04 67 66 62 73) and 20 rue Paradis, Marseille (04 91 59 91 59). www.montblanc.fr
At the Métropole, a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”, excellence is mandatory : decor signed Jacques Garcia, the cuisine of Joël Robuchon, unparalleled service, a glamorous approach to high hotelry, and an Espa, designed as a shrine to purification. In soothing silence, the therapists deploy the finest of ancestral traditions to create a fantastic tailor-made trip. Individualized diagnosis, the luxury of spaciousness, dermato-esthetic products and massages that are real cures : rituals combining modern techniques, luxury and sophistication. In parallel to the inauguration of Yoshi, a Japanese restaurant now flaunting a star, a relaxing and revitalizing signature treatment has been created : Yoshi Ki. Four successive phases in a perfectly controlled ceremonial : from the washing of the feet to 20 minutes of Nirvana-like reflexology targeting your energy points, the seconds fly by at the speed of light ! You hardly have the time to enjoy your peeling with essential oils followed by invigorating acupressure, when 90 minutes of bliss have come to an end... 4 avenue Madone, Monaco (00 377 93 15 13 70, www.metropole.com and www.lhw.com).
This is the tale of a man who sees life through green-tinted glasses… Patrick Blanc, an exceptionally gifted landscape-gardener, travels the globe to cover frontages, walls, decks and many other things with lush vegetation. His approach has impressed leading architects who now call on his services. After sublime achievements in London, Sydney, Toulouse, Paris and Aix-en-Provence, it is highly likely that you will soon be admiring his creations in your part of the world. Discover his website : www.murvegetalpatrickblanc.com
A pioneer in the new generation of joinery solutions, Klozip, the specialist for window systems, offers an attractive alternative to the traditional sliding window in aluminum. Treat yourself to a cocoon on your balcony, turn your winter garden into a terrace (or vice versa), stay protected in inclement weather or bask in the sun… The choice is yours ! 14 av Jean-Médecin, Nice (06 12 71 10 68).
After Cannes, Mandelieu, Nice and Sophia Antipolis, Fitlane has opened its doors at Cannes-la-Bocca, on the strength of the concept that has assured its success : 76 group classes (per week) adapted to suit all levels. The club also offers last-generation machines for slimming and toning muscles, under the vigilant eye of qualified coaches. The Fitlane card gives access to all five clubs and proposes a wide choice of formulas. 04 93 17 58 73 and on www.fitlane.com
They need neither water nor sun or earth, and are 100 % natural. Stabilized plants are the perfect solution for all those wanting to bring nature indoors where conditions are not really favourable. The secret ? These plants live ten years thanks to a stabilizing treatment (glucose water). A new trend in floral design developed in France by Naturalys and proposed by Anne-Lise Kapfer in the guise of trees, vegetalized walls and striking compositions. 10 rue Alberti, Nice (04 89 00 92 75).
Marmorini Design has launched a new sales outlet in Cagnes-sur-Mer. Since its foundation in 1920, the Nice-based company first ennobled the world of stone, then developed its activities by merging with Scaramozzino tiles to create Marmorini Design, a unique entity that has become a benchmark for for tiling, stone, mosaics and bathroom equipment, among both private and professional clients. The company proposes 15,000 references including trendy prestige brands for indoor improvements and outdoor settings, as well as a contemporary “Bath & Spa†line. “In Cagnes-sur-Mer, we wanted to make our products in stock available while offering the best value for money from Italian and Spanish manufacturers," says Céline Valentini, the third generation to head Marmorini Design. A world of deco design to discover in a showroom of 280 m2, with a consulting team ready to assist for all your projects. 14 avenue de Cannes (04 93 20 74 04).
For the past eight years, Elen Boutang has been scouring the land for off-beat light fixtures with a touch of fantasy, to be customized or renewed depending on her inspiration. “Hydra†is one of her latest models, a ceiling light with a cascade of Perspex filaments. Creations bearing the label “Les Fourmis Bleues†always show concern for the environment and sustainable development, whether in the form of recycled materials such as textiles or paper, or the use of LED. And all the models are handmade. www.fourmisbleues.fr.
L’Oréal’s “Rose à Lèvres Universel†is unlike any other. Translucent, thanks to a blend of two gelling agents, it has a light, tasty texture, rather like candies. But most importantly, it gives your lips a unique colour which varies depending on their degree of humidity. A rose which belongs to you alone, with a natural, glossy finish, and packaging that makes it particularly elegant. www.loreal-paris.fr
You’ve always dreamed of having a billiard table in your home, but couldn’t do without a lounge ! The “Fusion†table has just solved the problem. In the blink of an eye, this dining-room table of admirable design turns into a top-quality table for parlour games or billiards with all the accessories. Launched by Aramith and distributed by BFA Concept, an original and innovative idea with hand-crafted finishes which reinvents leisure time with family and friends. Three models are available with twelve colours for the baize : one model in wood with five finishes ; a steel model with lacquered aluminum or stainless steel, and a “Gold†version (decorated with gold leaf). BFA Concept (0 825 000 533 et www.bfa-concept.com).
High sophistication for the Hammam Zeïn Oriental, a new address dedicated to body care. In this former warehouse on the port, you follow a maze of vaulted corridors in exposed stone, leading on both sides to hammans, relaxation lounges and massage booths. The decor is 100 % Moroccan, from mosaics to wall-sconces and chandeliers in hammered steel, paintings, daybeds, tables and heavy drapes. All basking in the wafting scents of incense and eucalyptus… 16 quai de Rive-Neuve, Marseille (04 91 59 11 11).
Before a shampoo, before or after a blow-dry, but also used on an everyday basis, the new “Elixir Ulti-me†from Kérastase will soon become an absolute must among your hair-care products. Beautiful locks now seem like child's play ! With four legendary oils, corn seed, pracaxi, argan and camellia, it nourishes, repairs, softens and adds shine to even the dullest and most damaged hair. A simple touch and the magic begins to work ! www.kerastase.fr
Not content with benefitting from sound experience (20 years already…) and an excellent reputation on the far side of the Atlantic, Richard Baker Furniture has finally set foot on the French market. As its name suggests, the firm designs furniture, but not only that. As well as superb walk-in closets, wardrobes, cupboards and tables made by its team of craftsmen, it offers customized fixtures and fittings, extraordinary stage-sets, beautiful and highly practical kitchens... From design to manufacturing and installation, Richard Baker Furniture handles everything from A to Z, and to perfection. Attentive to your preferences in terms of materials, colours and design, it respects both needs and budget. Though it’s always ready to contribute its own personal touch by adding a touch of fantasy to creations such as the “Bubble Wardrobe†or “Lollipop Cupboardâ€. Laurent Drouin : laurent @richardbakerfurniture.co.uk (06 07 46 37 36).
You didn’t think you had necessary requirements to have a pool built in your garden ? Thanks to the innovative, patented concept proposed by Dujardin Piscines, you can now review your project and carry it out in record time ! Because of this manufacturer’s original assembly and fixation system, many constraints actually disappear. Made from galvanized steel panels coated with ecological paint called DJ Plast, your pool will take the shape and size of your dreams ! www.dujardin-piscines.com
At the Hi Hotel, master sushi-maker Kazuomi Ota is something of a poet, respected for his sobriety and Zen attitude. Lunchtime formulas feature essentials in Japanese gastronomy : Miso soup, sushi, Teriyaki chicken. The evening menu is more sophisticated : Soba with breast of duck, green tea ice-cream… 3 avenue des Fleurs, Nice (04 97 07 26 26).
Bold and realistic, “Atelier R Pure” focuses on the structural identity of products with a passion for applied arts as its credo. From spirits (Nicolas Feuillatte, Veuve Clicquot...) to perfumes (Diptych, Dior, Stella McCartney) and design, R Pure dabbles in everything with rare talent. Objects thus take on a completely different dimension. Shown here, a concept for an ergonomic chair in velvet called “Double Jeu”, totally in tune with the times, as required by its future manufacturer ! www.rpure.net.
“Vision 10” is the thinnest TV screen ever created by Bang & Olufsen. Its conceptual language is sobre and authentic. The black glass screen is edged by a thin frame in polished aluminum. The angles and curves have been designed to give the impression of an optical illusion. Hung on a wall, it will perfectly fit in with your other artworks. Bang & Olufsen, 6 rue Joseph-Vernet, Avignon (04 90 82 94 62).
