Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
Here’s a revolutionary idea, from Impresario ! Everyone can now acquire a work of art. The reproductions are done by hand, using the same techniques. And the artists are selected on the basis of precise criteria : originality, gaiety, modernity… Impresario also proposes objects designed by artists. From 49 € to 600 €. Impresario, on sale from Galeries Lafayette, Cap 3000, 06700 Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 93 31 46 92) and from Dream’Art, 27 rue Jean-Jaurès, 06400 Cannes (04 93 38 72 18).
Perzel was founded in the 1920’s by an expert in glass, a past master in the delicate art of light. In the 21st century, the venture is still being pursued by his grand-nephew. And no less than 7,000 models perpetuate a tradition now parallelled by modenity. Lamps, vases, ceiling lights, suspensions, wall lights, standard lamps… Each model fits perfectly into your home and even outside. Shedding light on all the moments of your life. www.jean-perzel.com.
Florilegio Maison adapts to the seasons. In spring and summer, the store devotes itself entirely to the garden ; in autumn and winter, it proposes tempting ideas for Christmas presents. Above all, it clearly intends to keep abreast of the latest trends and offer the best of what’s new on the market with novelties unearthed, for instance, at the Paris or Frankfurt fairs. Here you can admire furniture for your garden (or winter garden), lighting fixtures, pottery, bowers, parasols and even plants. Items bearing the labels of Kettal, Dedon, Royal Botania, Hugonnet and Triconfort, to mention just the leading names. And don’t forget that Florilegio Maison can provide advice and handle absolutely everything from A to Z in collaboration with its architect (terrace, park, pool etc.). Estimates free of charge. Latte-Vintimille 00 39 333 28 62 321.
Moro Idraulica was founded 50 years ago and its areas of expertise extend to domestic appliances, sanitary fixtures, central heating, hydraulic equipment and bathroom fittings. Its guiding principles have always been competence, availability and helpful service. Specializing in the top end of the market, it has recently opened a showroom devoted to parquet and floor tiles. So that your home will bask in a cosy atmosphere. Moro Idraulica, via V. Emanuele 274, Bordighera (00 39 0184 261 403).
However much space one has, one is always searching for yet more storage space, re-organizing one’s closets and putting the smallest nook and cranny to good use. Archea handles the problem perfectly. Walk-in closets, all kinds of storage fixtures, as well as layout for children’s bedrooms. Its proposals are highly varied and cover every detail. With a single motto : to make the most of one’s home. Archea, 69 bd Gambetta, Nice (04 93 44 53 68).
Taking care of a lawn involves a lot of work. It requires not only time but also energy : for mowing, watering, treating with the right weedkiller, trimming the edges… So what’s the solution for having a lovely, well-kept lawn without all these time-consuming constraints ? With synthetic Royal Grass ®, you can now take full advantage of your garden without being its slave while also saving a considerable amount of money in water consumption. You’ll no longer have to worry about moss which usually grows when your lawn is in the shade, nor changes in its colour caused by variations in the climate. You’ll not be concerned when your children use the lawn as their play area, as the resistance of Royal Grass has been successfully tested – and has an 8-year guarantee. Finally a product that will really change your life ! Royal Grass ®, 04 93 58 63 01 ou 06 07 02 17 12.
Is Tassimo blushing, or seeing red ? Officially speaking, both, as its colour is defined as “ruby raspberry”. This individual hot beverage system is an intelligent idea : with just one machine and just one click, you can prepare up to eight different drinks. Choose from coffee with an intense aroma, a “voluptuoso”, decaff, a strong expresso, cappuccino, hot chocolate or tea. Approved by leading brands such as Carte Noire, Suchard and Twinings. Tassimo : 129.99 €. Each variety of beverages : 4.45 € per packet. On sale in department stores and from home appliance specialists.
Tradition and modernity work well together. As proof, “XXL” from Morice, a really successful cocktail of up-to-the-minute design and the past. Considered as the Rolls of the range, this oven comes in stainless steel or coloured enamel with a trim in stainless steel, shiny or brushed brass. Bonusses include equipment such as fast burners, gas simmering plates, a double oven, induction, steam cooker, deep fryer… On sale from Ameria, 54 boulevard Foch, Antibes (04 93 74 86 50).
The trend at Fly for 2006 is black, white and… black-and-white. Black first. It emphasizes graphic lines and enhances lacquer, leather and wood. White, its other half, is always pure, graphic and elegant. With a satin or lacquer finish, it conveys serenity and calm. In white, all kinds of textures materials seem to be magnified. So what can one say about the striking contrast between these two non-colours ? The one reveals and sublimates the other, and both contribute to a subtle kind of alchemy. Black, white or black-and-white, these sofas, armchairs, carpets, tableware and decorative objects impose their well-controlled modernity, full of life, energy and rhythm. Fly, avenue Auguste-Verola, Nice (04 93 18 10 88). 970 Route Nationale 7, Villeneuve-Loubet (04 93 73 13 18). 29 avenue Prince-Héréditaire-Albert, Monaco (00 377 92 05 26 92).
As of January 1st, 2006, all pool-owners must comply with the French law to protect young children. Acclaimed for 20 years in the USA, the Enclôture fence is simple, esthetic, with flexible, transparent mesh and a gate that closes and locks automatically. Easy to install around any type of pool, the kit meets the AFNOR norm and has a 5-year guarantee. Enclôture, 4 bis 144 chemin de la Plaine, Mougins (04 93 75 88 84). www.encloture.com
After 15 years of activity in the Netherlands, Parquet Provençal opened shop a year ago in Mougins. Specializing in planing, sanding and the sale of parquet flooring, it already had many French customers and an international reputation : moving here was perfectly logical. The main advantage offered by Parquet Provençal is its oversized stripes of solid wood, either new or old. Custom-made to meet all your demands. 1476 chemin de la Plaine, Mougins. (04 92 92 99 70).
Patrick Gaziello has a thing about wood. Not surprising for a cabinet-maker, and the son of a cabinet-maker at that. But for Patrick Gaziello, wood is simply a pretext for… And once the client’s desires have been defined and targetted, Macassar ebony, oak and other woods will bend to his will, the most classic as well as the most unusual. You’d like a table or a console ? A complete fixture, to be designed in partnership with an architect ? It’s all grist to his mill. And he’s put his name to some fine achievements on the Côte d’Azur. The house of jazz guitarist John Mac Laughlin at Cap d’Ail bears his signature. The boss of Microsoft has called on his talents… “Like anything that has to do with decoration, wood always falls victim to fashion. And for the past three years, wengé, sycamore and exotic species are what’s in demand. Together with oak, a fine timeless classic, used today in an ultra-matte version.” So is Patrick Gaziello an artist or a craftsman? Both, as proven by his work. Patrick Gaziello, 21 route de Villefranche, La Trinité (04 93 54 78 00).
Today, wall-paper has become interactive and entertaining. “Frames” and “Ikon Flower”, the latest collections from Graham & Brown (designed by Craig Wood and Chris Taylor), propose black frames for the first and big flowers for the second. Two arguments in favour of colour ! Water-based paint, gouache, felt-tips, markers, pastels or acrylic paint…, give free rein to your imagination and let your wildest childhood dreams come true. Start drawing on the walls ! 9 € per roll, 10 m x 52 cm. Graham & Brown, sales outlets 03 20 77 56 23.
Over 5,000 items including tableware, lighting and decorative accessories have been grouped together under the trademark “Ainsi de Suite”. This autumn, nature, gaiety, simplicity and light take us on a trip to a land of colour and materials, enjoyable day-to-day living, elegance, basics, luminosity and new experiences for the senses. www.ainsi-de-suite.com.
They make you think of fingers pointing to infinity or wings waiting to take flight. Jean-Louis Charpentier’s sculptures all point to distant horizons. “Volume doesn’t need to be expressed in any other way than by a surface,” says the artist, who also admits to having had a few problems with colour. Which probably explains his choice of red. “A violent hue, but one which is easily recognizable to the naked eye, even if it is hard to catch in the camera lens.” Other choices include matte surfaces and works to hang on the wall. Though Charpentier also places his sculptures on supports with magnets or stands them on the floor, as in the Parc Phoenix in Nice. One thing’s for sure : either small or monumental, each work is a way of escaping to unexplored places. Jean-Louis Charpentier, 18 rue d’Angleterre, Nice (06 62 26 86 85).
In its nine years of existence, Du Côté de chez Soi has built itself a solid reputation for professionalism and know-how. Today, Brigitte Albigès and Nicole Finaud’s showroom still presents basic essentials for home interiors (Nobilis, Frey, Elitis… for fabrics, Moissonnier, Artelano, Banci… for furniture). But it has above all become a showcase for these two experts who handle projects from A to Z, from drawing up the plans to completion of the work in hand. Two sensitive souls working for the same cause : custom-made comfort. 39 rue Gioffredo, Nice (04 93 85 20 03).
Cubism arrived on the scene around 1908, the result of a creative duel between George Braque and Pablo Picasso. Today, the “Cubic” range created by Jado pays homage to the style in top-notch faucets and mixer-taps. Powerful, robust, pure and streamlined, all adjectives that evoke their design. Single unit handbasin faucet : 398 €. Single unit handbasin mixer faucet : 454 €. Three-hole mixer faucet : 739 €. 01 44 98 96 96.
In place and stead of the upholsterer, a showroom for contemporary furniture and decorative objects has taken over the 200 square metres of premises on the ground floor of the Régina. A building laden with history for an address which now proposes today’s leading names in Italian design : Zanotta, Casa Design, Armani Casa, Fendi Casa and others, lesser known on the Côte d’Azur, but waiting to make a place for themselves here in the sun (Di Padova, Veri Design, Axia). Composed of two large showrooms, the store not only displays tables, armchairs etc., but also bathroom fittings (from Axia) and kitchens (Gatto). Not forgetting works by artists such as Robert Bar from Brazil, whose colourful paintings add a touch of cheerfulness to the home. Regina Design, 71 boulevard Cimiez, Nice (04 93 80 24 08).
Hamam has launched a collection of bathroom linen “for body and soul”. Design director Idil Tarzi combines the oriental approach to bathing with the latest innovations in manufacturing processes. The towelling - pure, top-quality cotton - is as soft as a caress and comes in plain, jacquard or fashioned versions. Hand towel : 25 €. Bath towel : 50 €. Bathrobes : from 139 €. Hamam, on sale from International Boat Service, 4 avenue du Centre, 06150 Cannes-La Bocca (04 93 47 00 48).
Asia is an endless source of inspiration. As witnessed by the autumn/winter collection from Calvin Klein Home. Bed linen is enhanced by exotic details, subtle sophistication, earthy tones. With “Sakura”, which recalls the abstract design of a kimono, or “Pinstripe Pucker” in immaculate white, your nights will be as beautiful as your days. A collection which plays on a palette of colours and fabrics, in all serenity. On sale from Galeries Lafayette, Cap 3000, avenue Donadei, 06700 Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 93 14 82 12).
