Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
It’s now possible to find wall insulation that is really good-looking, thanks to the “deco.dal” concept which offers technical qualities while looking like a picture. The company in fact proposes a collection of images, in different formats, diptychs and triptychs framed by an aluminium structure. The Joconda for art-lovers, giant daisies for the romantic… There’s no lack of ideas. www.deco-dal.fr.
The specialist for custom-made fabrics, Ka International proposes outdoor furniture and furnishing fabrics that have been treated to withstand the great outdoors. A sun mattress for the edge of the pool, chair seats…, the garden and terrace are dressed for summer. Having an afternoon snooze or tea in the open-air become essential items on the day’s agenda. 10 rue Commandant-Vidal, Cannes (04 93 68 16 99).
The furniture line that first hit the spot was inspired by a simple, upside-down “U”. Isabelle Millet, with a DPLG diploma in Architecture and a DESS in urban planning, has always focused on the use of space : interaction, osmosis, transparency, plays of light, blends of materials and textures. Her designs are a subtle dialogue between pure lines and sophisticated textures, giving priority to large formats for extra strength. She has fun with practical aspects. A module becomes a bench, commode or sofa-end, a coffee table splits in two thanks to a set of wheels, a drawer slides beneath a bench… “When you take on an architectural project, you re-invent contours every day. The first line stands out for its creative, unfussy language, a simple shape, composed and consistant, straight and up-to-date. That’s the secret for giving relief to matter, volume and tonalities.” For Isabelle Millet, everything becomes a pretext for variations… on the same theme.
“Architecture and interior design are not limited to the creation of beautiful spaces.” So say Cédric Boulle and Franck Lombardi. They work together, each one the boss of his own firm. For Cédric, “Au-delà des Idées”, and for Franck, “Compagnon d’Art”. Their personal, complementary approach enables them to propose a comprehensive service, from plans to completion with turn-key delivery. Their references include the presidential suite at the Chèvre d’Or hotel in Eze, restoration and fitting out of a listed farmhouse in Coursegoules and, on the drawing-board, guest-houses of charm at Saint-Paul-de-Vence and a Californian-style home in Vence. “We will soon be opening a creation studio and showroom, also in Vence.” A future bearing the banner of development.
If you appreciate the real worth of botanical drawings, you’ll like “Jardin des orchidées”, the latest tableware collection from Hermès. Reproduced as in book-plates, drawn just as delicately, the 16 varieties of orchids flourish everywhere. For a refined table, with subtle nuances. 8 avenue de Verdun, Nice (04 93 87 75 03) et 17 La Croisette, Cannes (04 93 39 08 90).
Fans of precious limited editions, be warned ! There are only fifty examples of this “Borromini” couch from Armani Casa. Upholstered in beige linen with armrests in shiny Macassar ebony, it costs 5,300 €. Segraeti, Le Métropole, 4 av. de la Madone, Monaco (00 377 97 77 34 30).
What’s the secret of Kartell’s success ? A winning blend of creativity, technology, glamour, practicality, quality and innovation. All factors which have propelled the brand to the starry firmament of design. Among its 2008 novelties, “Lizz”, a chair signed Piero Lissoni and Carlo Tamborini. It is made with the help of gas-blowing technology and is formed, from the start, of a single element. Available in white, black, grey, green, orange, blue, red and coral. Halogène, 21 rue de la Buffa, Nice (04 93 88 96 26).
Warm hues (grenadine and mango) and the sea-faring spirit (blue and turquoise) are on the bill for the summer 2008 beach collection from Descamps. First come “Lotus” with its tasty, acid-sweet tones, and “Alizés”, a modern line encompassing beach towels, bathrobes and bags. Then discover “Océane”, sexy, feminine beachwear, with accessories in bright, sunny colours. 111 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 99 54 51).
“Everything begins with an encounter. That leads to a dialogue, discovering a place, dreams and desires… Always in search of the perfect project ; all that counts is passion and the joy of dreams come true.” Alain Morisse, who took over from his father in Saint-Tropez in 1986, thus sums up his past and present. The Morisses boast a list of references worthy of a directory, including top names in business and showbiz (Régine, Johnny, Karajan, the Royal Family of Bahrein, the Pinaults…). Private homes, hotels, top-quality residences, Alain has signed many achievements : the Hôtel Century in Geneva, Le Juana at Juan-les-Pins, a mall in Beverly Hills. At Les Issambres, he has just delivered the “Villa Métis” with mirror-style pool and balneo area, whose lighthouse, the construction’s key element, opens out to infinity.
There was once a designer-artist, Anglo-Egyptian, living in New York but travelling all over the globe, crowned with recognition and various international awards, a Jack-of-all-trades of genius and inspiration. He found himself face-to-face with a champagne. With its glowing colour and shimmering reflections, Veuve Clicquot Rosé inspired Karim Rashid to come up with Veuve Clicquot Globalight, a revolutionary and ultra-contemporary champagne bucket. This pure example of design in polished aluminium maintains champagne at its ideal temperature for about two hours. Ultra-sophisticated, it is a dense concentrate of technology, giving off light without heating up. Developed by Zumtobel, a world expert in lighting, its unique and complex know-how uses invisible mirrors and LEDs.
In the ultra-luxurious iPod series, here comes “Full”, from Meyers. This little gem of technology and top-notch design is definitely not to be placed in the hands of all and sundry. Adorned with 5,585 diamonds for a total 18.25 carats, it also boasts a sapphire screen. This “haute joaillerie” version also offers avant-garde numerical functions. An exceptional iPod. From 3,950 €. 09 50 09 31 75.
Fans of these Provençal bedcovers all know that Sara Home is the region’s N°1 address, offering over 200 different models. At this time of year, the boutique also displays its latest collections of curtains, as well as fur for bedcovers and decorative items. The little extra ? Alterations carried out the same day at reasonable prices. Sara Home, 74 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 99 44 61).
As nowadays, especially on the Côte d’Azur, living in the garden is something of an art in itself, L’Oseraie proposes an appealing choice of outdoor furniture. The materials used are, of course, resistant to UV rays and the onslaughts of passing time, colours are trendy with a preference for grey, and models give priority to comfort as well as good looks. Moments of relaxation with the bonus of being out in the fresh air. L’Oseraie, RD 559, RN 98, Port-Grimaud (04 94 56 32 51).
Olivier Dell’Antonia has been entrusted with the make-over of the Manufacture de Monaco. “We have retained its style while giving it a more contemporary feel.” The materials used include satined white wood, glass, brass and granite for the floors. The walls imitate orange-peel in tones of beige, taking on the colours of neighbouring objects. A superb, up-to-the-minute showcase for items that never age. 4 avenue de la Madone, Monaco (00 377 93 50 64 63).
A 180-degree turn for Design District, which now presents a broad selection of fashion accessories. Home decor has been retained, and the rather small entrance opens out to a cosy space where you can browse through original Estellon bags (combinations of canvas and metallic leather), resin jewellery from Sobral and Marion Godard, Lips watches from the Roger Talon line (sole distributor in Nice) and cuddly offerings signed O’mon Doudou. 23 rue Clément-Roassal, Nice (08 71 14 39 71).
<u>Nice</u> Opened in July 2007, the studio-gallery of Gwendoline Bonnet and Philippa Martin proves that, even if glass-blowing is an ancestral art, it can also produce contemporary pieces. “We have very different but complementary approaches, and we thought, why not work together ?”, explain the two glass-blowers. Which thus led to a fusion of styles between a French and British artist, between minimalism and extravagance, rigour and almost total freedom. Each unique work is the result of creative research in which air and light become one. “When I blow glass, the light comes to inhabit it. Glass bears witness to the fact that air and light are a single constant reality,” explains Gwendoline. “Linking colours are woven into this living matter,” adds Philippa, “which take shape in a kind of ballet. When the glass sets, it’s a kind of “freeze” of life itself”. Their “Design” range thus blends practicality with contemporary free forms, and invites itself to the tables of the South. ZI Saint-Martin, 526 ch de la Source (04 94 36 10 65).
Tableware, furniture, accessories and decorative items, well-being, food and wine, gifts… The new on-line boutique “Coliseum” encompasses necessities and more superfluous items, timeless or outlandish. A good reflection of today’s taste, it proposes well-known brands (Casa Bugatti, XO Design, Branex…), creation signed Starck, Wilmotte, Pillet, Rykiel, and a new generation of designers such as Diana Yu-Ju Lin, Nothing Toulouse and JHP. <a href="http://www.coliseum-shop.com/">www.coliseum-shop.com</a>
“Miraggio”, “Linéal Gallery”, “Extend Trio” and “Extend Trio Collection” are all signed Marty. “Miraggio” is based on the combination of two symmetric strips giving the illusion of wide-strip parquet. As for “Linéal Gallery”, it offers metallic reflections, gold, copper and silver in turn, for fans of designer decor. Finally, “Extend Trio” and “Extend Trio Collection” follow the same path, that of diversity. The first combines three widths of parquet strips, creating a sense of movement : the second is a model aged in the factory, ideal for those wanting an authentic refuge. In sales at Giorda Parquet, 1727 chemin Saint-Bernard, Vallauris (04 93 64 97 29).
Thierry Aptel studied both Fine Arts and Applied Arts, learnt how to handle volumes, associations of materials and colours, all the strict rules of interior decoration. Once all this had been assimilated, he set to work, notably in the châteaux of the Vallée de Chevreuse. Then one day, Thierry Aptel decided to follow his heart. Two years ago, he moved to Nice and refocused his activity, re-looking interiors with a highly contemporary approach. “Redecorating or restructuring a home means playing at being a psychologist for its occupants. You have to take their needs and desires into account… as well as their budget.” Thierry manages to do this as efficiently as he carries out the project and takes care of the finishing touches. In fact, he proposes a global concept ! Thierry Aptel (06 03 00 80 74).
“FoxFloor”, a new patented system from Parqueterie Berrichonne, is currently revolutionizing the way floating and fixed parquet floors are laid. You no longer have to use any underlay before laying your parquet. And you can also wave good-bye to glue. The strips fit together perfectly and the result is surprising for the way it reduces noise. Last but not least, the ecological “FoxFloor” does away with solvants. En vente chez Parquets Déco & Co, 17 bis rue Lascaris, Nice (04 93 26 81 67).
