Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
For BoConcept, minimalism and purity are basic essentials. A “white is white” ambiance (top) with a bed in white lacquer with a leather look, accompanied by a bedside table and a side table in chromed glass. To round everything off, the indispensable wardrobe with sliding doors, in white glass, of course, and as options, but nevertheless very useful, “Alpha” poufs in white Bahia leather. You prefer grey ? No problem. The “BA10” bed comes in brushed steel with pale grey fabric. A Japanese look for the “Triplo T15” wardrobe with sliding doors in lacquered white acrylic with a sanded aspect. And to complete the scene, a black metal table. Obviously ! BoConcept, 1254 route Valmasque, Valbonne (04 92 38 98 60).
“G-One” from Schiffini pays tribute to the reassuring style of the ’fifties, the “organic” style of the ’seventies and the innovative style of the 21st century. The design of the doors, for example, without visible handles, becomes a fully functional element : they open by means of a groove, horizontal or vertical. Offering formal simplicity, the entire project aims to offer up-to-the-minute solutions. Creative and inviting. En vente chez Universal Décoration, ZI des Tourrades, Mandelieu (04 92 19 64 50).
Designed by Giuseppe Bavuso, “Dress” is a system to be built made-to-measure. Accessories can be assembled as you wish and the composition modified whenever you like. The new version in matt white accommodates blocks of drawers on a base in white lacquered glass. Chez Mov’in Décoration, 33 bd Princesse Charlotte, Monaco (00 377 93 15 90 30).
For his first collaboration with Ligne Roset, designer Claudio Colucci presents “Mini-Dada”, a collection of rocking-chairs that are lots of fun. Whether installed face to face or side by side, they are real good-lookers. These mono-block rocking-chairs in flamboyant colours enchant young and old alike. In sales at Ligne Roset, Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 93 31 06 06).
“Eclypsya” comes in stainless steel with an ingenious system for evacuating smoke from below. All in roundness, it offers a beautiful cradle for the flames and can be placed wherever you want. www.arkiane.fr
“The garden should be a showcase for the villa…” declare Chantal Terrieux and Ludovic Fro of Archi Paysage. One first has to overcome obstacles, both natural and administrative, successfully integrate a project within its setting, “starting with the infinitely large to end with the infinitely small”. The infinitely large means the compiling of files to be submitted to the “Bâtiments de France”, obtaining permits, the persuasiveness that may be necessary with the competent authorities, demonstrating that everything - or almost - is possible... The infinitely small is the project’s implementation, the laying out of paths, access points, different levels, occasional modification of façades, the choice of plants, creation of a pool area, outdoor lighting... Teamwork that the pair now undertakes with well-proven skill. Nothing is left to chance : if a garden seems to owe nothing to the human hand, then the completed project is a success. Between the DPLG architect, the client and the landscape architects, a strong and vital bond develops around a shared dream. Archi Paysage, 40 place Lieutenant Isnard, Mougins (04 93 90 04 53) et www.archipaysage.com.
After “Regula”, may we introduce you to “Regula AD”. Once again signed by Paolo Nava and Fabio Casiraghi, the model returns to home base, dressing up in “total white” or “total black”. No compromises, neither esthetic nor functional, but elements designed to be lined up against a wall or enthroned in the middle of the kitchen. Chez Albalat Cuisines & Bains, 31 bis rue barla, Nice (04 93 56 66 00).
Sobre and modern shapes clad with twenty crystal spheres for the “Mossi Cristal Clair” series from Lalique. Faucets that certainly have all it needs to please ! With them, one readily washes one's hands, over and over again… In sales at JCD, 127 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 39 23 24).
Behind its baroque, psychedelic, neo-primitivist ornamentation, the soothing power of sleek, sensual lines gives furniture signed Chantal Saccomano and Olivier Dayot a strange kind of humanity. Is it because Chantal, a former dancer, instills her ideal of weightlessness into these tattooed bodies, or because love transcends the material ? He provides the form, she adorns it with a dreamlike skin. A poetic collaboration and creations which have appeared in the capital (Galeries Mougin and Neotu), many trade-fairs and museums of contemporary art. In 2000, Chantal even tattooed the windows of the Théâtre de la Cité. And you can now sleep in their incredible bed sculptures in two prestigious hotels in Morocco and Switzerland. All these items are available from the Princesse de Kiev gallery in Nice, which represents this tandem of artists in search of a wonderland. Princesse de Kiev , 1 rue Valperga, Nice (04 93 80 42 07).
Aera Industrie Ceramiche is attacking the French market with TuileSol, a combination of traditional ceramic stoneware tiling and a patented photovoltaic system which generates electricity. This highly resistant material is impervious to aging or harsh weather conditions. Beautiful and timeless, it is an ideal solution in the renovation of historic buildings. More informations : www.tuilesol.fr
Atelier LZC has dressed up the “Sakura Collection” for Veuve Clicquot Rosé. One recognizes the bright, airy and poetic touch of Vanessa Lambert, Barbara Zorn and Mickaël Cailloux, who have opted for cherry blossom, the symbol of ephemeral beauty. Sakura Box Rosé : approx. 50 €. Sakura Jaket Rosé : approx. 45 €. www.veuve-clicquot.com
Importer and sole distributor of Neoz lamps for France and Monaco, Monaco Lighting Design fits out private properties and yachts as well as luxury hotels and restaurants. Manufactured in Australia, the products arrive directly from Sydney. These cordless, rechargeable, halogen lamps lasting 33 hours have been dreamt up by designers to become light sculptures essential for creating an ambiance. On the deck of a yacht, in a family home, on the tables of a gastronomic restaurant, in a garden or beside the pool, they all participate in the overall decor. Esthetic, contemporary and effective, Neoz lamps are guaranteed three years for their electronic parts. A product that Monaco Lighting Design is the only store to offer in France and Monaco. Monaco Lighting Design, 6 rue Suffren-Reymond, Monaco (00 377 92 16 16 80). www.monacolightingdesign.com
“Ubik”, a storage sys-tem built to meet your needs, can evolve over time. Carlo Colombo and Paolo Piva have designed panels available in different heights and widths, which can be fitted with shelves, drawers and storage modules (shoe and trouser racks etc...). In a choice of three finishes : light oak melamine, grey oak melamine and wengé melamine, with glass proposed in eight different colours. Poliform. J. Bonet, 25 rue Scaliéro, Nice (04 92 00 36 66).
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Hästens is offering three limited editions : “Celebration Continental”, “Scandinave” and “Adjustable”. Each bed is available in two colours, blue and white check or black on black. “Celebration” is composed of thick layers of cotton, wool and horsehair. The mattress is fitted with a system of individual covered springs 13 cm high. It guarantees the softest comfort and idyllic nights. Hästens, 44 rue Gioffredo, Nice (04 93 55 45 90).
Talk about going dotty ! To celebrate its 300th anniversary, the famous Aga has been revamped by Emma Bridgewater. The British artist has thus reproduced her pattern of multicoloured “Polka Dots” on the stove. Limited edition. 15,900 €. In sales at Cook & Toques, 30 boulevard de Lorraine, Cannes (04 93 68 71 61) and on website www.agafrance.fr.
The champ of ingenious colanders has finally made its appearance ! Black, red, green, purple, yellow or orange, it is foldable and fits in all kitchen cupboards. From 39.90 €. Rösle, in sales on Internet : www.laboutiquedines.com
Malongo is a brand of coffee, but not only that. The company has also committed itself to a strong cultural policy and is organizing for the second year running a design competition bearing its name. The challenge : to design a nomadic, multifunction module to contain everything one needs to make and savour coffee. The finalists’ projects were unveiled at the Villa Cameline, also known as the “Maison Abandonnée” in Nice : a private, alternative address, which holds four or five exhibitions a year and has become a melting-pot for avant-garde artists. The winner of the competition was “Oh Mambo”, a multifunction hull designed by Johanna Jean, usable inside and out, which charmed the jury composed, among others, of designer Matali Crasset and Chantal Clavier-Hamaide, editor-in-chief of Intramuros. www.malongo.com
Karen Joubert spent her childhood between Le Havre and the USA. After studying at the Ecole Charpentier, her talent was discovered in 1981 by collector Daniel Cordier. Her need to create is expressed in her “autofictitious” paintings mixing Surrealism and Pop Art, evoking the brilliance of Douanier Rousseau and the coolness of Street Art. Frescoes which glorify the saga of an adventurer who crossed the Atlantic 49 times and now lives in Roquefort-les-Pins in her temple to Pop comic strips. www.galeriemariericco.com
The Laguiole Natura Jean Dubost knife set is 100% recyclable, compostable and biodegradable. In other words, green ! 45 €. En vente chez Botanic, 999 chemin des Gourettes, Mouans-Sartoux (04 92 28 31 00).
Bringing together north and south, that was the challenge taken up by this new showroom in Nice. Ideally located in the antique district, it stages in about 170 m2 the nec-plus-ultra of Nordic Design, which imports the top Scandinavian brands in terms of visual expression, quality, functionality and environmental friendliness, Dines (exclusive distribution for the PACA region) and Fourmis Bleus (from Monaco to Cannes). Manageress Nathalie Couadau, interior designer, is already planning to bring the place alive “to stimulate the imagination and open up as many opportunities as possible”. In this world of natural, up-scale materials and contemporary lines, a touch of magic shows that north and south, when they meet under optimum conditions, are remarkably complementary. Absinthe Design, 36 rue Catherine-Ségurane (04 97 19 19 19).
