Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
The star of this summer ! Ice Tropez, a cocktail based on wine flavour-ed with nectarine blossom is the brainchild of Grégoire Chaix. Who called on the imagination of Christophe Pillet to design the bottle. Both container and contents are likely to set the peninsula alight ! www.icetropez.com.
Ora-ito, a name that serves as inspiration ! After breaking it up, this young designer has transformed it to baptize his first collection for Steiner : “Ora-Gami”. A name to which he has added the term “Simplexity”. In other words : “The art of giving apparent simplicity to an object with complex functions”. His armchair in polyurethane (photo), is made from a single sheet, folded and shaped to give the impression that it is in levitation. The coffee table, also based on the Japanese art of folded paper, offers several configurations, while the sofas, behind their rigorous lines, play on comfort with removable cushions. Modularity also found in low-level furniture, providing different kinds of storage. Offerings to be completed by other novelties from the prolific Ora-Ito, from the Laguiole knife to jewellery and chandeliers from Christofle. www.steiner-paris.com et www.ora-ito.com.
The site clubatcost.fr has launched its first line of house linen : Verchant Home. The initial colours were chosen in a survey by the site's subscribers and members. Shades of beige, smoky gray, plum and white to dress the bathroom and its guests. While waiting for beach towels, bed linen and a line entirely made of organic cotton, you will find good-quality products at fair prices. For what makes this site so special is its guarantee of no profit margins. www.clubatcost.fr.
Characterized by its curves, “Dune” has been designed to meet individual needs and new lifestyles. It not only meets basic requirements, but also a brand new way of experiencing the kitchen. With excellent esthetics and a high level of functionality, it becomes the centre of everyday life. Universal Décoration, 10 avenue Paul Roussel, Saint-Tropez (04 94 97 65 68).
Proposed by Pérène, “Pago” has a rather exotic temperament. This bathroom in shiny ambered lemonwood makes the most of the shower area by giving it a generous size and three types of jets. You reached it by a teak pathway, the prelude to genuine moments of vouluptuousness, and slide under a shower that will inevitably be invigorating. A dreamy cocoon in which to relax… Francis et Martine Imbern, RN98, Port Cogolin (04 94 56 05 90).
The ubiquitous Karim Rashid even clads computers. As proven by the “Eee PC Seashell” collection for Asus, from which you necessarily choose Hot Pink. Practicality, performance, colour, user-friendliness, it has everything. For the more sober, it also comes in Coffee Brown. The price ? 379 €. www.asus.fr.
“Moro dal 1934” says the sign. If the showroom has been completely revamped and now flaunts a highly contemporary look, the tale of Moro Idraulica in fact dates back to the 1930’s. Since then, the company has remained a family affair with Raffaella working on the firm's development for the past 20 years. In 2010, Moro is a vast exhibition space for tiles, wall coverings, furniture and accessories for the bathroom, shower stalls, jacuzzis... In floor space of 400 m2 on two floors, the products are staged with the emphasis laid on large modern display units enabling customers to fully appreciate the various tiles, natural stone, mosaic... Among the brands : Cesi, Ascot, Ceramica Fioranese, Zucchetti faucets and, for bathrooms : Inda, Isabagno, Cerasa and Regia. Moro, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 274, Bordighera (00 39 0184 26 14 03).
We expect it to be comfortable, solid, long-lasting and esthetic. Ikea proposes “Sultan”, a range of mattresses that meet all these criteria. In a choice of foam, latex or springs, they guarantee a good night's sleep. And since nights are precisely the best time to recharge our batteries and ensure a certain quality of life, but above all since we spend two-thirds of our lives sleeping, let's make sure we get the best ! Ikea, ZAC Valgora, Toulon (0825 10 3000).
The ultra-slim “Altima Spa” from Acova offers a smooth facade to accommodate towels. In direct contact with the radiator, they are efficiently dried and heated. Of sobre and unexpected design, this towel-rack is available in stainless steel or aluminium. Richardson, 115 ch de Provence, Mougins (04 93 46 45 45).
Paris-born Christine Themelidis arrived on the Côte d'Azur in 1994 to join an interior design company. With this experience under her belt, she set up her own company 12 years later. In 2010, wanting to offer her clients comprehensive, turnkey service, she entered into a parntership with Tobias Muller and launched “Architecture-Design-Concept”. A firm comprised of an architecture and interior design department, and another focusing on consultancy in home decor. Both backed up by site tracking, the creation of furniture and all the administrative procedures necessary to carry out a project successfully. After handling facelifts for a lawyer’s office, a hair salon and private homes, Christine Themelidis embarked on a major challenge : complete renovation of a property, with a special focus on the garden. AD Concept, 17 chemin de la Louisiane, Opio (04 92 99 17 87 and 06 23 22 92 12).
“Kyton” is above all the expression of a new concept, that of smart but informal homes. The kitchen is both simple, practical and light. And technically, at the cutting edge. It also conveys a welcome notion of freedom and inspiration, firmly rooted in the present.To enhance the project, top quality materials (ground or shiny glass, grey-stained oak, siena, wenge...) and lacquered doors. Sobre, elegant and congenial, it is waiting just for you ! Caprice, 64 route de la Paoute, Grasse (04 93 09 43 40).
In town and country alike, on the lawn or by the pool, garden furniture is the indispensable companion of sunny weather. Playful, colourful, comfortable, it invades gardens and terraces, as demonstrated by “Coach”, a range of leather seating treated with fluorinated resin (4,260 € for the corner sofa, 1,920 € for the armchair and 1,320 € for the ottoman, Duvivier). Ligne Roset, ZI Les Tourrades, Palace Center, Cannes-Mandelieu (04 93 93 57 27).
An amazing kitchen designed by Domenico Paolucci, “Dune” comes in a variety of compositions, finishes, noble woods, matt or shiny lacquer. Linear, built-in or an island fixture, this model always puts the accent on practicality, precision and harmony. “Dune” exists in shiny sand yellow lacquer with a “Staron solid natural” worktop : the lacquered dining surface is fully integrated and the hot-plate and sink in stainless steel are seamlessly built-in : shown here as a central island with stained walnut finish. In sales at Idéal Décor, 169 rue Breteuil, Marseille 6e (04 91 81 26 26).
To keep the sun at bay, hoist the main-sails and opt for cool or trendy colours. Square or triangular, they are made of polyester fabric and are easy to install directly on the walls, with a mast, or between two trees... From 59 to 219 €. www.jardiline.fr
For Marc Barani, architecture should logically be seen as directly related to man and his environment. In fact, he has followed three training courses, distinct but complementary. In addition to his degree in architecture, he has two more in anthropology and scenography. His first project was of a personal nature. “It was an unusual commission, the cemetery of Roquebrune Cap Martin !” Then followed the tram station in Nice : “An operation in which we put into practice everything that we believe.” He had to find the site, come up with a technical plan and extend the tramline to the foot of a building. “It became an urban project.” In 2010, there’s no shortage of files, from building a bridge in Nantes to construction of a Congress Centre in Nancy, via the staging of the tomb of Rafik Hariri in Beirut. “We have just obtained the authorization. We have devised a scenographic pathway, like a walk through the past.” Yet more evidence of the social, political and economic aspects of architecture. Atelier Barani, 27 boulevard Joseph-Garnier (04 93 51 08 10).
Chantal Thomass plays the game of seduction with remarkable brio. The bathroom proves to be a place in which she can give free rein to her imagination and taste for glamour. As evidenced by the series “Poèmes”, dreamt up by the designer for JCD. The mixer faucet testifies to a subtle alliance between fine china from Bernardaud and ingeniously worked metal. Chic and mischievous at one and the same time. JCD, 127-129 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 39 23 24).
“Amleto” is the perfect example of alternation between him and her in one and the same place. Dichotomy visible especially in the interior fittings of the walk-in closet that take each one's rituals into account. A wardrobe that becomes a space to be lived in everyday. Armani Casa, en vente chez Segraeti, 4 avenue de la Madone, C.C. Le Métropole, Monaco (00 377 93 50 09 07).
Laurent C. from the Var has designed cutting-edge collections of indoor/outdoor furniture using 100 % recyclable materials. Just before leaving to settle in the USA, Laurent Chagnard created two brands, Sérénité and Divine & Sense and launched, for AG Rock (an American clothing brand) furniture bearing the same name which will be on sale in 80 franchise stores to open worldwide. At the last Cannes Film Festival, he fitted out the stage-set at the Majestic, an operation to be repeated in 2010. In sumptuous hotels, on private beaches and in family homes, his designs seem to crop up everywhere. All-round approval of contemporary products that are weatherproof and sold complete with cushions, mattresses and protective covers. Laurent Chagnard (06 25 15 51 71).
Pascal Mourgue’s “Cityloft” is defined as “the international classic designed to out-live fashion”. In its sofa, armchair or ottoman versions, this model has a lightweight steel structure on high legs and with comfy cushions. The armrests of the sofa and armchair are the result of technical prowess : made of lacquered cast aluminum, their design is both beautiful and functional. Cinna, en vente chez Ameublement Canu, 231 avenue Aristide Briand, Menton (04 93 57 65 90).
New-generation awnings are no longer a dream but reality. The Marquises brand offers the “ON’X+” line, a 4-in-1 concept. Choose from a model up to 7 m wide and 4 m deep, another with a micro perforated rollable valance. Then there’s the “Lux” model with a light built into into the arms of the awning and “Lux Volant”, whose micro perforated rollable valance is fitted with LEDs. From 1,910 € +VAT. Lovag Aluminium, ZI La Canar-dière, Mandelieu-la-Napoule (04 93 90 22 99).
