Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
When Karina Bouthier planned her concept store, her single aim was to combine beauty and quality. Clothes (Milanese brands and luxury de-stock, Prada, D&G…) are displayed alongside furnishings, accessories and refined groceries. You’ll discover Salviati vases, objects by Lisbeth Dahl, Designer’s Guild items, festive gift-boxes from Nicolas Feuillatte, Io olive-oil… Beautiful and of excellent quality. 73 boulevard Carnot, Cannes (04 93 68 46 11).
A towel covered with graffiti, sold in a paint pot… How’s that for an original idea ! Françoise Dubost uses this unexpected support like a canvas, proving that this kind of painting has indeed become legitimate contemporary art. Graffiti are thus about to invade our bathrooms and beaches all over the planet. www.grandes-marques.fr
Atelier LZC continues to develop its famous silk-screen designs. Two models, “Jardins japonais” (opposite) and “Fruits déguisés” give our Spring dinner tables a beautiful contemporary feel. To be complemented by the equally new and original “Aurore” and “Nocturne” trays. In sales at Scirius Gallery, 809 boulevard des Ecureuils, Mandelieu-La-Napoule (04 93 49 58 63).
Joël and Sonja design their modern furniture far from the bustling city life. Everything is made on site, from design to manufacture. Originally he was a joiner, she a decorator. “We offer made-to-measure furniture and kitchens.” Right now, “Les Amandiers Home” features six lines, including “French Riviera”. And the couple, who also work with Flamant, Scapa Home (exclusive dealers on the Gulf) and Libeco, offer customers an advisory service before managing their project from A to Z. Les Amandiers Home, route du Muy, Sainte-Maxime (04 94 97 68 68).
Who said coffee was only a southern thing ? Certainly not Stelton. The brand asked Kim Buck to create a new coffee set sporting for the first time ever a Scandinavian design. It is called “Visby” and bears no relation to anything you have seen before. The set consists of cups, a milk jug and sugar bowl… In sales at Designers Avenue, 9 bis avenue Désambrois, Nice (04 93 62 48 15).
It is all about light at Zimmer + Rohde, shiny and glittery materials. “Global Glam” is all about subtle radiance with silk and satin that set the tone : shades of gold, silver, copper and grey symbolizing elegance and refinement. “Modern Palace” and “Velvet Lounge” (above) bring luxury into our daily lives. The former revisits the past but steers clear of needless nostalgia. Quite the opposite. This is all about modern splendour where opulence vies with freshness. Linen adorned with pearl, fabrics that crumple and fold… With “Velvet Lounge”, it’s time for comfort and softness. The House sets out to be contemporary and to meet the wishes and needs of a world on the move. The collection delivers a sensual perception of motifs and materials. For seats, distinctly modern graphic patterns, stripes on elegantly radiant backgrounds. This is the union between velour and chenille thread, intertwining with overstitch taffetas or looped thread. 1390 avenue Campon (04 93 45 68 76).
For 25 years now, Nature Bijoux has been the specialist for fancy jewels made from natural materials. To prove it, look at “Caraïbes” (opposite). This line, which includes a necklace - available in two versions - and a ring, takes us to the heart of the Caribbean. Bamboo coral alongside black horn in a style of distinctly tribal inspiration. A real change of scenery. In sales at Art et Vie, Nice-Etoile, 24 avenue Jean-Médecin, Nice (04 93 92 91 24) and at Galeries Lafayette, 6 rue Maréchal-Foch, Cannes (04 97 06 25 00).
At once environment-friendly, natural and refined, linen is a firm favourite with Libeco. In 2008, the brand broke new ground with children’s garments and Libeco Home Luxury, which focused on the extreme refinement of finishing, as shown by “Margaret” bed linen. This classic and timeless line is developed in delicate colours and is enhanced with beautiful piping. For its part, “Vernassa” (see photo) plays with bright, gay colours that give some exciting combinations. A must-have for the impeccable quality of manufacture, the softness and pureness of linen and the fashion-transcending chic of the company’s designs. In sales at Blanc de Blanc, 5 rue Tony-Allard, Cannes (04 93 38 65 62).
“There are no big or small projects, just projects…” So says Carol Djandji, a specialist established in Monaco since 1980. His design office, Djandji Interior Design, offers a variety of skills for both individuals and corporate clients. To his credit he points to private residences and apartments across the world and, of course, projects. In the Principality, he has committed to fully refurbishing 500 m2 of office space. Still on the “Rock” of Monaco, at Park Palace, he is preparing to restyle a bachelor pad from A to Z. His strengths ? Unfailing passion for his trade and finding a major interest in each job he does. Respecting deadlines, budgets, and consequently the customer. Palais de la Scala, 1 avenue Henri-Dunant (00 377 93 50 84 12).
When two prestige Houses decide to pool their talent, beauty and style both benefit. To prove it, here is Steiner seen by Harcourt. Here, the low armless chair from the new “Rivoli” collection photographed by the legendary Studio Harcourt, a symbol of glamour and elegance. Both graphic and visual, it really does have that star look about it. Interiora, 1966 RN7, Villeneuve-Loubet (04 92 13 82 03).
This space dedicated to home layout and decoration counts on a certain number of prestige labels to offer everyone the widest possible choice. For the bathroom, Teuco with “Balneo” style bathtubs, while Porcelanosa offers furniture, spas and tiling with the now famous ceramic tiles. Schmidt is also here not only for kitchens (see Lotus & Giro opposite) but also for the bathroom and storage. Zac de la Canardière, avenue Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, Mandelieu (04 92 96 27 83).
In the “Top” collection from Smeg, here is the must-have gas barbecue which is at once stylish, elegant and functional. Here it is featured with a stainless steel trolley with four wheels (two with brakes), a stainless steel basket to hold a five-kilo butane gas canister, two retractable extensions and a large drawer to stow cooking utensils. It can also be fixed onto its stainless steel pedestal, recessed into a stonework construction or fitted against a low wall. 2799 € + 1099 € the trolley. En vente chez Linea Cuisine, 45 boulevard Gorbella, Nice (04 92 07 04 30).
Wooden houses are here in a big way and wood furniture, showcased by swimming pool beaches, is sporting a back-to-nature look. “In every case, cabinet-makers will attempt to work the project in a contemporary style,” says Patrick Gaziello, who works more for individual clients with know-how inherited from his father. Hence the respect for his raw material and the treatment of volumes and ongoing trends : “Lacquer is in right now with the total integration of home cinema systems and plasma screens.” His client references include soccer players from AS Monaco, who asked Patrick to handle their interior decoration. He is currently working on the project of designing and building furniture for a Saudi residents’ villa in Cannes. 21 route de Villefranche (04 93 54 78 00).
The Marin Spirit We have grown accustomed to the dreamy world of Stéphanie Marin. The designer from Nice is presenting a new family called “Liquid”, made from resin and fitted with a low-energy lamp, it can be used with or without extra light. For indoor or outdoor use, “Livingsland” stands out like an islet in the middle of the living room, a system of wooden coffee tables giving the appearance of geological relief. Smarin design, 32 avenue Henri Dunant, Nice (04 93 52 89 26 et www.smarin.net).
The Danish designer BoConcept has embarked upon a “fight ugly furniture” campaign, basically by launching the “Alpha” line of chairs and settees designed by Anders Norgaard. Organic curves and a fine balance between old and contemporary furniture, upholstery and small loose cushions for comfort, and a choice of colours (black, white or purple), in fabric or leather. To complete the line, a series of matching poufs. Victor Palace, 32 boulevard des Moulins, Monaco (00 377 97 97 67 97).
Planika Décor invents and makes fireplaces. Christophe Pillet is a designer of furniture and other items, an architect and interior architect, scenographer, creator for Artelano, Moroso, Driade, Cappellini, among others. When Planika and Pillet got together, they came up with a new collection called “Planika Fires”. Hearths which can be installed wherever you like as they can follow you from one room to the next. Take, for instance, this low element with a built-in bio-ethanol hearth. According to Planika : “The possibility of admiring the flames of a real fire gives an impression of warmth, safety and cosiness”. So there’s no longer any need to choose an “appropriate” setting or envisage building work. The hearth of the 21st century has charm inversely proportional to its size. www.planikadecor.com
Valdivia is a town in Chile, but also a brand of jewellery 100 % bio-ethical and unique, made of vegetal ivory. Also known as “tagua”, this ivory is the hardened albumen of the fruit of palm-trees which grow in certain valleys in South America. An alternative to animal ivory, it behaves in exactly the same way and offers the same possibilities. The brilliant colours are obtained by the use of vegetable pigments. Everything’s made in the Andes with traditional craftsmanship, before ending up around the necks of fashion victims who care about nature. www.valdivia.fr
In keeping with the modern era, tea, without losing any of its aura, is now purchased on the net. A little click, and there you are, in an almost magical world where these precious leaves offer themselves just to you. Learn to appreciate them for their different origins, discover all the benefits tea can provide for your organism and treat yourself to your ideal tea-pot, favourite bowls and the numerous accessories that accompany tea-time. A few minutes on line and you’ll be an expert on the origins, history and legends of this homely but venerable brew. www.thes-kanzen.com
Become a web-vintner long enough to clock up your own vintage. The package includes a vintner’s certificate with the numbers of the vine stocks attributed, a sample of soil for the said vines, stock to plant in your garden, all the info you need about wine production and invitations to harvesting initiation classes. At the end of the course, the budding vintner leaves with his/her own “Spéciale Mes Vignes” vintage and bottles of the precious nectar. From 205 €. www.mesvignes.com
They’re both from Lyon, and while their store, Scenari, saw the light of day in Cannes, it’s because the majority of their clients are here on the Côte d’Azur. Gérard Allochon and Yves Zorne haven’t launched just another showroom. Scenari is a showcase for their expertise as well as a design office and a meeting-place. “We’re constantly searching for products that are not distributed by our competitors, and our priority is to offer “outsize” quality.” In other words, these talented Jacks of all trades install kitchens, wine cellars and other items with that little extra that makes all the difference. The kitchen, for example, will have a sliding work-top that reveals a little cooking area. Then the wine cellar : made-to-measure, high-tech, it accommodates up to 450 bottles. And so on… The pair work with Valcucine, Toncelli, Gaggenau, EcoSmart (for fireplaces), Versace and Rosenthal for tableware. Epicurians at heart, they also organize wine tastings with associated products every six weeks. “Conviviality and complicity arise quite naturally from this type of get-together”. 35 avenue Maréchal-Juin (04 92 18 07 56).
