Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
“I’m a born interior architect. And I practise a profession which restructures notions of dreams and reality.” The tone is set. What Alain Lacourt doesn’t mention, it seems so self-evident, is that he has given priority to contemporary design for over 20 years. His huge showroom is a succession of spaces, offering the visitor varied stage-sets exclusively based on creative design. B&B Italia, Maxalto and Poliform are present in sofas and armchairs, kitchens bear the Varenna, Arc Linea and Schiffini labels. You’ll also find Ingo Maurer, among others, for lighting and, of course, the inevitable Starck. Top-notch and decidedly trendy garden furniture bears the B&B signature. Zen Design is also a design office with a team of professionals (some from the “Ecole Boulle” and Academy of Fine Arts). An expert in designing and revamping houses and apartments from A to Z, Alain often adds a touch of Zen. And he has added another string to his bow by creating furniture, such as his “Route de la Plage” table and a carpet produced by Tai Ping. “I love everything that’s contemporary,” he says, looking around at the works of art, sculptures, paintings and objects, that have taken their place in his work space. Route des Plages (04 94 55 11 22).
The pretty women of Cannes and elsewhere all find their way to Pretty… for a starring role in the Festival City. Minimalist design, with a counter in studded white leather, echoed by the base of a long rack, also in white leather. On the wall, an imposing mirror of sanded glass, and in a corner a “Ballerine” chair designed by Dominique Roitel. That penetrating gaze ? Audrey Hepburn, who offers her glamorous image to a screen. For fashion and accessories, the Italian brands Mauro Menichetti and Monica Magni. Superior signs the silk shirts, falsely modest, and Mic Mac proposes very ’seventies bags. Here, everything’s for sale. And is thus on the move, to keep up with trends. 42 rue des Serbes, Cannes (04 93 38 94 98).
Lafayette Maison is a new store of 1,700 m2 entirely dedicated to the home. In the various room sets, you’ll find kitchen furnishings, tableware, the world of oenology, that of bathrooms, household linen, light fixtures etc… Among the many brands represented : Cristel, Riedel, Nespresso, Graine d’Intérieur, Villeroy & Boch, Bernardaud and, of course, Alessi, with very complete and varied offerings. Galeries Lafayette Masséna, 6 avenue Jean-Médecin, Nice (04 92 17 36 36).
Outdoor living is very popular. Normal, at this time of year ? Yes, of course, but henceforth, people no longer hesitate to import certain items back to the verandah and even indoors. In Nice, the new showroom called All Seasons devotes its 150 m2 to garden furniture and accessories. Fermob gets the lion’s share, with very trendy ensembles in lacquered aluminium (with batyline trim) or lacquered steel. You’ll also find a resin shower designed by Hedone, other compositions, also in resin, from ProLoisirs Océo, and tapas bars with high stools from Jardin au Bout du Monde. For the time being, the store is entirely dedicated to outdoor furniture, though it may well extend its range in winter to include indoor furnishings. To be continued… All Seasons, 10 à 14 rue Foncet (04 92 17 63 63).
As work involving masonry and outdoor refurbishment very logically finds an echo in stone, Riviera Stone opened a showroom at the beginning of this year, which will delight all dedicated fans of minerals. Here, stone is displayed in all its splendour and diversity : travertin, limestone, porphyry… “The current trend is for pebbles and travertin,” says Samuel Leroux, “as much for bathrooms as for terraces and pool surrounds”. Stage-sets that ring true to life ! 124 route du Plan, Grasse (06 08 87 43 27).
Some people walk on eggs. Others sit on them… Impressive originality for this pouff composed of a pile of square egg-trays held together by straps and topped by a leather cushion. A decorative item both responsible and desirable, like all creations dreamt up by Kim and Garo, a duo with a passion for foreign cultures. In sales : www.influence-maison.com
Here’s a good idea that will give good old screens a touch of youthfulness. With their Sticks, designers Hsu-Li Teo and Stefan Kaiser have come up with a new concept, both practical and pleasing to the eye. For indoors or out, for the dining-room, garden, office or terrace, these Sticks come in useful wherever you need to create a certain privacy. It is now, in fact, child’s play to divide your room without creating a visual void. To be combined in any number, Sticks are available in two versions - wood and fibreglass - and proposed in three materials : rubber, wood and a combination of rubber and cork. Lengths range from 120 to 150, 180 and 210 cm. At long last, a new kind of practical flexibility in a designer object. Sticks d’Extremis from 440 €. Discoverd it : www.extremis.be
José Levy is already well-known for fashion design : Cacharel, Ricci Monsieur, Holland & Holland. And especially for his own line of men’s ready-to-wear with an elegant cut and revampled masculine colours : soft or acidulous blue, plum, burgundy. Today, this eclectic designer has stepped inside the world of interior decor for private day-dreaming. Deshoulières, a great specialist for porcelain since 1826, has asked him to design five items. “Dans ma Chambre” is a collection which plays with classics while taking a fresh look at the codes of the decorative arts in 19th-century France. Playful, original, ethereal, perfect. www.deshoulieres.com
“Kettalize it !” That’s the very honest proposal made by the brand to its users. Everyone can thus imagine unique combinations, choose the fabrics, paint, finishing touches etc., and enjoy an original experience. All yours, a unique sun-lounger that meets all your expectations. In sales at Jardins du Sud, 600 route de Roquette, Mouans-Sartoux (04 92 28 54 16) and Meubles Monsch, RN 7, avenue du Colonel-Désert, Puget-sur-Argens (04 94 19 66 66).
What could be more natural and enjoyable than waking up to daylight and the chirping of little birds ? Thanks to the “Eveil Lumière” radio-alarm clock from Philips, you can benefit from a gentle wake-up with natural light comparable to that of sunrise. “Eveil Lumière” also proposes several other nature sounds (birdsong, animal noises, the lapping of the waves…) and, in more classic style, a digital FM radio to listen to your favourite music. It will also serve as a bedhead reading lamp, as its powerfulness easily allows you to read a book in real comfort. And to stick with the latest decor trend, stickering, Philips is currently proposing a special series of the “Eveil Lumière” radio-alarm, customized by designer Matali Crasset. You will thus be able to personalize your lamp with stickers offering pastoral design. 120 €. matalicrasset.com et eveil-lumiere.philips.fr
The very core of the new Gautier collection in the guise of “Urban” and “Quartz”. The first plays on pure, straight lines, optimal storage solutions which sometimes become room dividers, little tricks to make best advantage of the space and the original aspect of the design. The bedroom called “Quartz” goes for a contrast between matte and shiny to emphasize its overall elegance. The bed becomes an island, giving the room a feeling of ultra contemporary Zen. En vente chez Meubles Pagani, 1 avenue du Général-de-Gaulle, Beausoleil (04 93 78 44 66).
Consisting of four upper table tops connected by a sliding system, this low “Translation” table edited by Cinna opens up to reveal the four lower surfaces. Once deployed, the table extends from 90 x 90 to 130 x 130 centimetres. Available with the interior table tops in white, or white and green lacquer. 1,943 €. Cinna, 111 avenue Léon-Bérenger, Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 92 12 94 11 et www.cinna.fr).
Ralf Christensen wears two hats : he is not only a development consultant, but also a distribution agent for top-notch Italian brands. Doors are his specialty, especially communicating, armour-plated models bearing the Movi, Do:dia. and Linvisible labels. “Contemporary, streamlined and elegant design,” he says. The Christensen Group is also the world of lounges, walk-in closets, storage and sofas. Always up-to-the-minute. The sleeping area is represented by Orme : with its collections proposing essential, clean lines, it gives the bedroom a 21st-century feel, sobre, functional and modular. As for couches, make way for Swan and its models ensuring comfort with no concessions. Finally, to complete its array of offerings, the Christensen Group now distributes products by a specialist in designer lighting. Christensen Group, 100 bd Carnot (04 97 23 44 33).
The Sonia Rykiel Home collection for spring-summer 2008 borrows the designer’s traditional colour codes : a combination of black and white, dotted with bright colours and playing with stripes and patterns of flowers and fruit. For bedrooms and bathrooms, check out the enticing “Chéries” and the romantic “A la folie” (photo above). Galeries Lafayette, Centre Commercial Cap 3000, avenue Donadei, Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 93 14 82 12).
With four addresses in France, Passage asserts itelf as the specialist for doors in general, sliding models and door handles in particular. In Cannes, the firm founded by architects Antoine Adda and David Laredo takes a fresh glance at the world of these vital elements in the home, often paid scant attention. Passage, 2 rue de Lafayette, Cannes (04 93 39 48 53).
The concept is called “Eden” and is signed by Zak ! Designs. Its main features ? Fresh, tonic colours, inspired by plantlife and in total harmony with the brand’s nature-loving spirit. Bowls and cutlery come in melamine, all clad in chlorophyll, lime, moss, meadow and olive green. Perfect for picnics ! La Cuisine à Simone, 17 avenue Notre-Dame, Nice (04 93 92 12 18) et Villeroy & Boch, 125 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 99 47 03).
An eclectic but coherent background for this designer with many centres of interest. A base as a designer for the building sector, an architect’s diploma and a passion which has become a career. “I have a very personal deontology : to create an identity for each client.” As his sectors of activity are very varied, he can handle multiple tasks while giving free rein to his imagination. For whilst Jean-François Parodi undertakes design and layout for individual and institutional clients, he is also a lighting designer (he stages by using light as, for example, the sea of ice at Chamonix) and creates objects and packaging. His latest project to date, currently underway, is called “Lecointre Paris” (after the name of the winner of the Ministry’s Competition). “They are mobile carts that distribute tea, coffee, biscuits… at strategic points in the capital.” Coming soon. SA & RO, chemin du Venadou, quartier de la Ritorte (06 61 71 37 59).
Born into a dynasty of interior architects, Sébastien Pisani perpetuates a tradition launched in 1950. The days when clients answered to the names of Grace Kelly, David Niven or Gregory Peck are long gone, though the firm still works for wealthy individuals : industrialists, actors, politicans etc. Furthermore, Pisani Architectural and Interior Design has just inaugurated a new showcase, at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where it proposes exhibitions of paintings, floral art… Among its many references, one finds the Villa Mona, Villa Gould and one of the Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques. The bonus offered by the firm ? A staff of real professionals, capable of carrying a project through in turn-key fashion. 50 boulevard Général-Leclerc (04 93 01 08 74).
More original than a bouquet of flowers, more scented too, the perfume bouquet has become very trendy. Esthetic and contemporary, it allows you to re-live moments of enjoyment. “Au pied d’un figuier” will remind you of summer dinners in the garden or siestas after lunch, while “Herbes coupées” will take you back to holidays in the country… A bouquet to suit every occasion. Galeries Lafayette, Cap 3000, Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 92 14 82 12).
Spearhead technology, good looks and practicality, Forever knives cultivate excellence. Made in Japan, of titanium or ceramics, they cut like razors, are totally neutral and do not rust. They even have anti-bacterial virtues ! In short, the favourite utensil among the majority of Japanese chefs. Cuisine sur Cours, 75 avenue Borriglione, Nice (04 93 96 17 29). www.forever-eu.coms
