Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
One of the most recently-launched jewellers in Monaco, Best Friends proposes lines of trendy jewellery. Like the cat’s head called “Hello Kitty Wonderful”, “One Day” bracelets designed by Victoria Casal, ceramic rings intertwined with others in white or yellow gold and paved with diamonds (shown above).2 boulevard de France, Monaco (00 377 93 50 22 69).
A graduate of the “Ecole Spéciale d’Architecture de Paris” and the Pratt Institute in NYC, Cyril Durand Behar is a pioneer of “architexture” : “A very personal approach, inspired by my activities and peers, and based on an analysis of volumes and materials, variations in scales between indoor and outdoor architecture”. On this basis, he no longer decorates, but sculpts a place, like the new Décathlon store in Antibes, a clever mix of solids and voids, all in total transparency. For this huge ship superbly anchored in its environment (a constant for Behar), he came up with a visible frame, easy circulation and a large opening to the outside. His agency with its international stance also handles the creation of furnishings, thus completing the concept’s indoor/outdoor approach.
Paul the baker There are now over 330 Paul bakeries all over the world treating us to their country-style and more creative bread. Paying the deepest respect to the baking tradition, the reasons for Paul’s unwavering popularity lie in the level of quality of all his products. An extra bonus : on www.paul.fr, you’ll find ideas for recipes and lots of other gourmet tricks. www.paul.fr
Collectors beware ! The latest Samsung is designed by Giorgio Armani. It has all of its creator’s elegant sobriety and the charm and efficiency of a last-generation mobile : a large LCD screen of 2.6’’, a 3-mega pixel camera with flash, MP3 music-player, a complete Internet browser and an expandable micro SD memory slot. The innovative feature is that the phone is tactile : there’s a slight vibration when you skim over the icons on the screen. To keep it safe, a leather case, by Giorgio Armani, of course ! 589 €. www.samsung.fr
Concept store 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
Effervescence in Cannes ! The Maison Carita is under new management and has benefitted from the occasion to treat itself to a facelift. The result ? The spirit of this great establishment (and its two founding sisters) remains omnipresent, with combinations of immaculate white and wengé wood playing on all the warmest and most intimate tones. The new manager, Jean-François Maes, has set himself a challenge also in perfect accord with the Carita philosophy : to offer each client a unique experience of well-being and beauty. With four coiffure stations, three “cocooning” cabins, a VIP booth (dedicated to hair treatments) and a car valet service, time lavished on one’s appearance is no longer a luxury. Or at least, it becomes an affordable luxury… in fact, a must ! 23 rue des Etats-Unis (04 93 38 29 99).
Danish design 2008 is well and truly here for Bo Concept. Its new motto : “White is the new black”. Together with priorities comprised of design, minimalism and multi-functionalism. Synonymous with luxury and refinement, white is therefore accompanied by touches of black, plum and green. Light fittings boast sculptural silhouettes and glamorous details, carpets opt for graphic patterns, and accessories add their strength and originality to living-rooms, lounges and bedrooms… Les Portes de Sophia, 1254 route de la Valmasque, Valbonne (04 92 38 98 60).
“Balcoon”, a balcony cabin proposed by designer François Clerc, will remind some people of childhood pleasures. Sending a breeze of nature into the world of cities is an aim adopted by this creator and his editor, Le Cèdre Rouge. His eco-design concepts have won the interest of the ADEME, for which he has produced an ensemble with a round table and stools with neither screws nor nails. In Taiwan, little “Way of Life” scenes for the manufacturer of IHR biological products were also produced by this designer who divides his time between France and Asia. www.fabrik3.com
Rita and Fulvio Pagliari have turned their passion for interior decoration into their profession. Active on the Côte d’Azur for the past ten years, they propose A to Z service through their company Mobiltrend for both private clients and professionals. “We work on plans or on site, decorating brand new apartments or lovely old residences, as part of an overall project or for more specific needs.” 1 rue Ribotti, Cannes (04 92 00 05 90).
For more than 10 years, Gilles Dewavrin has created fragrances for top French perfumers. They can be rediscovered in his collection of candles and home scents, and selected for each room in the house for delightful and different olfactory experiences. The containers, elegant and varied, come in matte aluminium or unpolished, metallised or smoked glass.
Wave good-bye to a lack of time or pretexts of remoteness. The Boudoir and its Philosophy can be explored with a simple click. One finds “The happiness of the day and the epistolary art”, “The art of the candy table”, “The cabinet of curiosities”… A trip back in time to the Century of Enlightenment.
Poltrona Frau is proud of its Italian roots. And for good reason. It unfurls worldwide an image of discreet and universal elegance, the expertise of craftsmen and incomparable perfection, luxury halfway between tradition and modernity. In search of absolute comfort, innovative shapes, unexpected solutions… it creates an atmosphere in which practicality and congeniality share the space. It means leather of impeccable quality, worked upon with respect to preserve its warmth and softness. Over 60 flagship boutiques, from New York to Rome, Paris to Milan, have become the privileged showcases of Poltrona Frau excellence. In Nice, J. Bonet proposes great classics and new models such as “Quadra” and “Kennedee”, two sofas highly representative of Poltrona Frau, the second designed by Jean-Marie Massaud. A certain idea of luxury “made in Italy”. J. Bonet, 25 rue Scaliéro, place Arson (04 92 00 36 66).
When creating her website called “ My Crazy Touch”, she decided to wage war on empty walls and offer everyone the chance to brighten them up or make them unique. She thus designs, produces and sells very unusual decors. Panels of painted wood, for instance, to be hung like paintings. Crosses between artworks and industrial products, her decorative items can be personalized and adapted to suit all tastes. Sales at www.mycrazytouch.fr.
De Millo Fine Art has grown, though its image remains the same. Caroline now displays larger pieces of furniture and a tempting array of light fixtures, while still proposing Longwy enamels, Antica Murina jewellery, and gadgets from Pylones. 23 rue Millo, Monaco (00 377 97 77 15 03).
For Roche Bobois, 2007/2008 means a collection brimming with talent and humour. Vintage has a place of honour, giving designers’ creations a touch of timelessness. In the collection called “Les Voyages”, Christophe Delcourt and Jérôme Gauthier work on eco-concepts. “Spinnaker” furnishings (above top) become eco-sensitive, girding wood with leather in the decidedly sophisticated spirit of a nomad tent. With René Bouchara, who dreamt up the “Flap” bookcase (photo above), we rediscover an open library-club ambiance. With these designers and their often wacky imaginations, Roche Bobois has a ball, inviting us to explore a new playground and trends for the future. 3015 chemin Saint-Bernard (04 92 96 55 72).
Already welcoming designer items and furnishings, Galeries Lafayette at Cap 3000 now propose a Kartell corner. It’s impossible not to notice the large transparent table signed Starck, the centrepoint of this colourful display. Every two months, you’ll discover new colour codes, new static choreographies. Like its designers, constantly on the move, this corner invites you to plunge into the playful world of Kartell on a regular basis. Cap 3000, Saint-Laurent-du-Var (06 27 09 46 52).
Farrow & Ball, the expert for paint and traditional wall-papers, has launched its new website in French. It has retained all the most popular functions of the original site, and one can, of course, purchase items in all simplicity. The bonus comes in the guise of original new sections : an on-line advisory service for colours, environmental data and a note-book. <a href="http://www.farrow-ball.com/RegionSelection.aspx?selectedcurrency=eur&language=en-GB">www.farrow-ball.com</a>
An essential item for the decoration of an apartment or house, indoors or out, tiling offers a wealth of possibilities. Stella Papalia is an expert on stone, enamelled lava, terra-cotta, aged marble, ceramic earthenware etc. Depending on the location - a lounge, swimming pool, terrace -, she will advise on materials and colours, then take the measurements, obtain quotes and samples. Real professionalism ! 246 route de Cannes, Grasse (04 93 70 17 14).
It’s never too early to discover the incomparable luxury of a Poltrona Frau armchair and cultivate a taste for beauty. As in the case of “Baby Vanity”, which comes in flame red or ivory and is a true copy of the larger model’s design and comfort. Like its illustrious elder, the edges of its back and arm rests are emphasized by a row of small studs covered in leather. A concern for detail, even for tiny tots. 1,800 €. <a href="http://www.poltronafrau.it/">www.poltronafrau.it</a>
