Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
If you’re a fan of the ’seventies and baba cool, treat yourself to “Golf”, a sofa-bed strewn with flowers, a real knock-out guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Sitting on it is fun, lazing on it sheer bliss, and sleeping on it a dream. In your lounge, it will steal the show from all the other furniture and draw everyone’s eyes. Eyes full of envy ! I Divani.it, via C. Porta, 8, Parma (00 39 05 21 33 64 04).
Introducing “Royaumont” from a range called “Les Contemporaines”. The manufacturer, who also proposes timeless, classic models as well as others of more modern design, here suggests an asymmetric fireplace composed of oxydized and varnished iron with a stainless steel trim and cherrywood shelf. The hearth remains traditional, in cast iron and steel. Cheminées Philippe, 400 allée des Terriers Nord, Antibes (04 93 74 38 54).
We’re all familiar with garden centers, so now meet “the” stone center on the Riviera. Clivaparc presents itself as a unique showroom, open-air and entirely dedicated to stone. Two brands, Asohill and Clivapierres, share a circuit on different themes, staging typically Mediterranean products. Asohill revolves around a pond 17 metres long, with water channels, curb stones, steles and light posts. Very complementary with Clivapierres which, in turn, is perfect for façades, flooring, pillars, furnishings and accessories. Clivaparc in fact offers vistors an attractive array of solutions for imagining, designing and creating one’s home, pool and everyday environment. Distripierres, 842 route de Grenoble, Nice (04 93 08 83 75).
People rave about the “F2/F6” cassette as much for renovation as for the construction of a hearth. Single- or double-sided, it recreates all the cosiness of a really good fire. Technically, it’s absolutely faultless : outstanding performance (thanks to its patented smoke box), top-quality materials and autonomy of more than 12 hours with just one load of wood. Available in different sizes, it can be installed just about anywhere. Fondis, 12 avenue Fourane, Aix-en-Provence (04 42 27 64 18).
A modular system with sliding doors signed Piero Lissoni, “Zone Kitchen” can be installed against a wall or as a central island. Boffi, 127 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 39 32 16).
All those who have never known the nightmare of choosing a gift raise their hands ! A matter involving time, price, the fear of getting it wrong… Here’s the solution ! 1001 Listes now proposes a “shared gift-list” and takes care of everything : contacting the relevant people (whether it’s a wedding, house-warming or birthday), collecting the required amount of funds, unearthing an original or traditional gift. Altogether, there are no less than 400 partner boutiques in the region, ranging from Cèdre Rouge to Habitat (photo above), B&O, Longchamp, travel agents, Virgin, thalassotherapy centres… 13 rue Paul-Déroulède, Nice (04 93 16 13 00).
This new showroom is far from ordinary ! Private clients make appointments to visit (every Friday) as the rest of the week is reserved for professionals. Because this is a gold-mine for anyone organizing events. Sound systems, lighting to buy or rent, Le Show Room also stocks everything to do with seating as well as bars with built-in lighting, outdoor lighting and decorative items. Needless to say, design reigns supreme. Le Show Room, avenue Pierre-Semard, Cannes-la-Bocca (04 92 08 06 30).
Always looking for new ways of interpreting textiles, Sandy Chilewich plaits vinyl to produce many different objects. Bags and purses, elegant for both day and evening wear. Table sets and carpets that are modern and sophisticted. Creations available in over fifty weaves and colours. On sale from Manufacture de Monaco, CC Le Métropole, 4 avenue de la Madone, Monaco (00 377 93 50 64 63).
Daniela Vescovi designs and produces elegant, modern or classic interiors which correspond to your needs, taste and life-style. This very professional interior designer combines colours with a sixth sense. She uses exclusive fabrics and noble materials such as wood or marble. If necessary, she will modify overall layout, redistributing your space to obtain more room. Daniela Vescovi Design Company, 69 bis bd du Mont-Boron, Nice (04 93 56 66 85 ou 06 89 24 51 35).
AD is a team of architects, decorators and landscapers who can design and carry out a projet from A to Z for a house, apartment or yacht. But AD is also a showroom which is the only one in Monaco to display the Fendi collection, plus a fine selection of furnishings and objects seen on the Pallucco stand at the last fair in Milan. Including “Breeze Grande” from Japanese designer Kazuhiro Yamanaka, a piece of furniture that also serves as a container. Or a “digital baroque” offering called “Kubokube”. And the “Guardian of Light”, a perfect example of tradition benefitting from innovation. To switch it on, you simply have to turn back the lampshade. If you need advice or information about the latest trends, Patrizia Rossino, Guiseppe Trombi, Patrice Acchiardi and Jeremy Falzone will do their utmost to give satisfaction. AD, château Périgord, 6 lacets Saint-Léon, Monaco (00 377 93 50 20 40).
Since 1952, Moroso has made a point of only working with well-known designers such as Ron Arad, Carlo Colombo, Marc Newson, Luca Nichetto and Massimo Gardone (photo) or Patricia Urquiola. Patricia in fact designed “Smock”, one of the sofas exhibited at the last trade-fair in Milan. Just as original is Tord Boontje’s “Closer”, an essential item in any fashion-conscious interior. On sale from Martine Foubet, 135 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 38 54 50).
“Pop attitude”, “Inspiration nature”, “Génération design”, Fly’s collections for 2006/2007 opt for wide diversity to achieve unanimous success. Sometimes way-out and brimming with colour, sometimes Zen and refined, or even decidedly futuristic, they feature furniture and decorative objects on the theme “I simply have to have it !”. Because they’re very trendy, but also very affordable… Fly, 10 place Auguste-Blanqui, Nice (04 93 55 34 66). Les Portes de Sophia, 1254 route de la Valmasque, Sophia-Antipolis (04 92 96 00 36).
Indisputably Lapis La Pierre in Sud ! Its showroom is a real song of praise to this noble material. Whether it’s for floors, walls, or to be used as a major feature either indoors or out, Lapis proposes a vast choice of colours (beige, white, brown, orange, red…), versions (marble, slate, travertin, mosaic…) and finishes (sanded, matte, shiny, rough, with a patina…). A comprehensive range enabling you to compose your own tailormade decor while adding the touch of authenticity offered by stone and benefitting from its easy up-keep. Your fixtures and fittings in the kitchen or bathroom will take on real allure once stone is introduced into your worktops, basins and credences… 12 boulevard carnot, Valbonne (04 92 98 16 77).
WMF is synonymous with design. Good news… Galeries Lafayette Maison now have a corner devoted to this German brand where you can explore its collections for the kitchen and table. Knife-holders, pans, cutlery, tea-pots, all you need for brunch, wine-tasting, cocktails… All in decidedly contemporary styles. 6 avenue Jean-Médecin, Nice (04 93 53 28 79).
Kitchen accessories signed Knud Holscher for ScanWood are easily recognizable : made in beechwood, with elegant and simple design. A robust and original line of chopping boards, knife holders, trays and napkin-rings, created by a talented ambassador of Danish design. On sale from www.kookit.com.
In the Melgrati family, a fondness for beautiful furnishings is hereditary and has been handed down from one generation to the next. Today, there are three showrooms in Alassio testifying to the company’s vitality. Its list of brands is quite impressive : Boffi, Dada and Modulnova for kitchens, Molteni, Cassina, B&B, Poltrona Frau, Minotti… for sofas and beds, Rimadesio for closets, Artemide and Flos for lighting, Serralunga for vases, pots and other containers used in the garden. Arredamenti Melgrati also proposes a design studio : for individual clients as well as restaurants and hotels, each project starts with a concept and ends with an ideal installation. Fans of Italian design will be over the moon ! Arredamenti Melgrati G & S, via Hambury, 3 et 128, 177 Corso Dante, Alassio (00 39 01 82 64 08 86).
They are super-slim for easy storage, ultra-precise (an electronic system displays the weight down to the very last gramme) and do away with unnecessary functions (just one on/off switch). No need to hide Terraillon’s “Créatis” ! Available in chocolate, cinnamon or passionfruit, these kitchen scales can be exhibited like a work of art. 29.90 €. En vente dans les grands magasins et magasins spécialisés.
With a century of experience, La Faïencerie de Charolles has succeeded in preserving craft techniques while adopting modern designs. Noble materials, a pleasing blend of lines for unique items that come straight from its design studio. Vases and lamps come in outsize dimensions with an austerity tempered by astutely chosen colours. On sale from L’Art de Vivre, Immeuble Luciani, route de Bastia, Porto-Vecchio (04 95 70 08 36).
“Having everything, seeing nothing”, an explicit slogan that Pilot puts into daily practice in the world of home movies and sound systems. Whether it’s a new installation or a matter of integration, the company’s team proposes a personalised, made-to-measure solution. If you’re building a new house, the problem will be tackled right from the start. If you want a home movie room, music in all the rooms, it’s easy ! There’s always a way to obtain the best. With the help of Sharp, Hitachi, Loewe, Pionneer or Bose. For both sound and image (indoors and out), Pilot works wonders, based on your requirements, budget and the rooms to be equipped. ZI La Poretta, Porto-Vecchio (04 95 70 68 13).
The new “Liftmatic” oven from Siemens works like an elevator : a blend of good looks and high technology. You press a button to lower the base to the level of the work surface, making access and cleaning really easy. A “keep warm” function allows you to re-heat Viennese pastries and other dishes, to warm plates, all with the oven open. A new wall-oven with a clever new approach. 2,600 €. CD Concept, 11 rue Macé, Cannes (04 93 68 57 37).
