Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
In need of a good night’s sleep ? Hästens has just opened a new store of 170 m2. Top-notch design, Scandinavian decor in soothing colors, it adapts the philosophy of Sweden’s oldest manufacturer of beds to meet the taste of today’s customers. Hästens has been making beds by hand since 1852, with natural, ecological materials (cotton, wool, linen, Swedish pine…). 36/38 boulevard Carnot, Cannes (04 93 68 94 63).
Following 6 months of restoration work, the Negresco has regained its former brilliance : in her quest for excellence, Jeanne Augier has designed an executive suite in chic classic style and redecorated nine suites and six guest-rooms, henceforth fully domotized. The lobby has been treated to a facelift and the 18,600 droplets composing the Baccarat chandelier once again shed their glow on this historic palace, as original and distinctive as ever. 137 promenade des Anglais, Nice (04 93 16 64 00 et www.hotel-negresco-nice.com).
Calling all collectors ! The Shalimar perfume-bottle which, since 1925, has graced women’s skin with its fragrance evoking fabulous distant lands and voluptuous dreams, has been sensually revamped by Jade Jagger. A Guerlain with hype… From 57 € to 107 €. www.guerlain.com.
If you’re bold enough to ask Christian Pécout what led him to settle near Céret, he’ll simply say that there is no better location than this gateway to the “Mecca” of Cubism ! Leaving Monlouis and his “Grenier de Vauban”, not without regret, for the very charismatic building signed by the Danish architect Petersen, Christian embarked upon a grandiose project that required many sacrifices. Today, the challenge has been won, as he has superbly orchestrated the volumes and magnified the staging of these premises to transform them into a gallery and antique centre focusing on Catalan art. Antic Art is a small, secret lair that has become a haunt for art-lovers. You can find beautiful objects, table services, furniture, vintage books and a fine selection of works by Catalan painters and sculptors. Antic Art, Christian Pécout, 1 route des Caves-du-Château-d’Aubiry (06 08 57 06 92 et www.anticart.net).
Which goes by the enigmatic name of “La Cocotte a des Plumes”… “Cocotte because every day we propose a new dish simmered with passion and based on fresh ingredients,” explains Christelle, in charge of the ovens. The decor is sleek and stylish : white walls, old floors, a veranda to isolate the kitchen, school tables and industrial black lights. Dishes such as “assiettes gourmandes” are a great success, revisiting the classics with just the right dose of originality. 79 rue de la Palud, Marseille (04 91 33 93 78).
Ultra-slim and attractively presented, “LE820” televisions from Sharp have everything to catch your eye : sensitive keys, a powerful audio system and an amazing rendering of colour ! Not to mention a commitment to ecology, a recording function and a USB port to play HD Divx. From 1,499 € to 2,699 €. 0 820 85 63 33.
Photos transformed into furnishings, an off-the-wall idea from Dominique Zoladz. Born in Paris and based in Nice for nearly 30 years, this photographer-artist began by taking an interest in tracking down traces on walls, posters and tags. From these urban scars, he first produced accumulations on flat surfaces, then had a flash of inspiration : why not present this series of work in volumes ? One, two, three cubes stacked on top of each other - his first totem ! Child’s play for Dominique who, with a hand as agile as his eye (he also makes architectural models), developed this decorative niche by designing shelves, tables, stools, chairs, consoles, and even lighting : “Utilitarian objects which are also multi-faceted artworks,” explains the artist, who can also use your own photos to give a highly personal touch to your home. 11 rue Emmanuel-Philibert (04 93 26 89 81).
The Palais des Thés has flourished in France since 1986. To introduce this heritage of natural good taste to the people of Nice, the well-known brand has just opened a store of 76 m2. Natalie Villacampa invites you to come awaken your tastebuds to the joys of "tea time" with 250 varieties selected by her experts all over the world, tasting accessories and gourmet delicacies, all reminding us that an invitation to tea is more than just a habit : an art in its own right ! Le Palais des Thés, 3 rue de la Liberté, Nice (04 93 81 56 16).
N°1 in its field on the Internet, Made in Design owes its success to its rigorous selection of iconic designers and uninhibited young talents ! The main aims of Catherine Colin, the site’s founder, are to encourage surfers to participate and to offer services meeting their expectations. She now invites you to decorate your home to striking effect, with the easy-to-use on-line Playviz application. www.madeindesign.com
Sleek and refined, the “G 980” model from Spanish manufacturer Porcelanosa seems to increase your kitchen space. With this new offering, the “Spanish touch” upgrades its popularity rating among both professionals and individuals with an eye for quality and innovative materials. Beauty and practicality all in one… Porcelanosa, 538 avenue des Paluds (04 42 62 43 30 et www.porcelanosa.com).
The combo steam oven from De Dietrich offers new levels of performance thanks to the association of two methods of cooking : traditional and soft, with superheated steam. Glass and stainless steel give it a sleek design that suits all interiors. 1,500 €. www.dedietrich-electromenager.com.
Mediterranean flora is a real passion for Hervé Meyer, the landscape-gardener responsible for the park of the Royal Mougins Golf Resort & Spa in Mougins, who has just designed a private garden of 2,500 m2 in La Valmasque. Fallow land now flaunting three dominant colours : white, green and grey-blue, with priority given to endemic species to create a link with the forest. His next challenge ? The Palmeraie Golf Palace in Marrakesh, where he intends to add a touch of exoticism to its Mediterranean heritage. A project which this former student of Jean Mus is tackling with his accomplice, Michela Fabbri : “If there are many different languages around the Mediterranean, one finds the same vegetation and climatic constraints : there are no borders for either bank when it comes to plants and shrubs.” Atelier Hervé Meyer, 24 avenue des Tignes (04 92 18 98 21).
“Albalat, 3 generations dedicated to kitchens !”explains Bernard Albalat, director of three boutiques proposing flagship brands in contemporary design : Siematic, the German inventor of kitchens without handles, Binova and Valcucine, a manufacturer that focuses on ecology by using recyclable materials. Albalat, 31 bis et 31 ter rue Barla, Nice (04 93 56 66 00).
The name of Frédéric Compagnon must have been predestined : he was a “compagnon” lathe-operator before setting up his own firm dedicated to his passion for wood. From cutting to assembly, to create terraces, pool decks, walkways, spas, gazebos, all the different kinds of wood come with a 10-year guarantee. For deckwood, the company is a leader in the sustainable development sector. 15 avenue de Grasse, Cagnes-sur-Mer (06 98 88 22 06).
At long last ! Ikea, the Swedish giant acclaimed for its attractive furnishings at very modest prices, has opened a store not far from the Popes’ Palace, at Vedène to be precise. A move approved by the entire region and long-awaited by loyal clients who previously felt deprived of their favourite brand ! Now all of Ikea’s seasonal and special-theme collections will be found by customers from Avignon, including the PS line entirely entrusted to young designers. From the “Veranda” bed (549 €) to the “Selma” armchair (299 €) and “Svarva” floor-lamp (99 €), all the furniture, fixtures and fittings will be staged for easy viewing in huge, dedicated premises totalling 500 m2. Ikea Avignon, lieu-dit la Lorraine (www.ikea.fr).
At the heart of Old Nice, facing the Opera-House, La Compagnie de Provence has opened a new store where creativity and fun come together to stage all of its creations : soaps, body care, toilet waters, candles, curiosities and totally original discoveries. An invitation to browse, look, touch, try, smell, learn, LCP flaunts a free spirit, a bit quirky, but always with a vision of Provence that blends its rich traditions with the modernity of chic design, never excessive and unlike any other. La Compagnie de Provence, 7 rue Saint-François-de-Paule, Nice (04 93 80 97 22).
For draft beer at home, Beertender knows how to dress up in a thousand colours to give a cheerful boost to your kitchen ! Our favourite : the model called “Color” with a portable TV screen, from 499 €. www.beertender.fr
Fondis proves that not only are these two attributes not incompatible, but that they can often go hand-in-hand. The brand has in fact developed “Solaris”, a range proposing 14 solutions for heater panels and towel-racks, both discreet and of very appealing design. Lounge, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom…, all the rooms in the home are concerned, with styles that are quite assertive. Emitting virtually no electromagnetic radiation, the devices produce totally harmless and completely enveloping heat. Today’s trend sees the return of glass, available here in two finishes, “Soft Touch”, which is satiny and without reflection, and “Evolution”, shiny and transparent. A pure, warm universe awaits you. Fondis (03 89 37 75 00). www.fondis.com
Re-editions in Louis XV, Louis XVI or Napoleon style are on display in this refined and very original showroom of about 350 m2. Brick walls, large floor tiles of bluish stone and a ceiling with exposed wooden beams, the warm atmosphere and furnishings of character from the Du Bout Du Monde collections gives this new store unique and even extraordinary stylishness. You stroll around as if you were discovering Ali Baba’s cave ! Du Bout du Monde, ZI du Soriech, Lattes (04 99 52 60 00).
A partner and distributor of top-notch names in contemporary Italian, Danish and Swiss furniture since 1985, Issima excels in staging the best examples of up-to-the-minute design. In this boutique in Marseille, you'll discover all the “must-have” models signed Artemide, Desalto, Kartell, Zanotta etc., as well as young designers who are a well-kept secret. 90 rue Grignan, Marseille (04 91 54 74 58 et www.issima.fr).
