Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
Luminous and ready to embrace the first sunny days, the Spring/Summer 2005 Collection is an invitation for cheerfulness to brighten your home. Big tables reserved for family and close friends will brim with sunshine : enamelled terra-cotta tableware, transparent glasses, colourful tablecloths… All illuminated, as soon as night falls, by candlelight and lanterns. Athezza, on sale from L’Affaire des Doubles Rideaux, 21 rue Hoche, Cannes (04 92 98 02 95). And from CS Décoration, 14 boulevard de Cessole, Nice (04 93 52 19 44).
Sébastien Dumont (shown here with Jean-Pierre Cohen) obtained solid experience before opening his first shop in Nice. And he’s now inaugurated a new showroom at Saint-Laurent-du-Var. An original setting in which to show off parquet flooring. “The trend is for exotic woods and oak, especially blanched,” he advises. With Alpina as its partner, Accès à Tous Parquets has introduced a really new concept : sales, but above all, service with products of irreproachable quality which come straight from the manufacturer. Accès à Tous Parquets, Résidence Cap Var, 148 avenue Georges-Guynemer, Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 93 86 18 56).
A brand that’s looking ahead… A new boutique is scheduled to open in Paris in… 2006 ! But by then, Linen Land, the specialist for Franco-Hungarian house linen, will have launched an on-line website for its sales. Sets of bed linen, tablecloths, linen accessories, satin pyjamas, all made by hand in Hungarian workshops. In a few months’ time, other household products will also be available. www.linenland.com
It’s to Patrick Frey, worthy successor to his father, that we owe all the collections bearing his name. This spring, offerings consist of three main lines. “Bénari”, a successful confrontation between vertical stripes and little palms, “Ayderabad” with its countrified amosphere, a mixture of tartan and flowery Indian motifs, and the chic and modern “Ginger”. Try the one in chocolate ! Pierre Frey, 2000 avenue Campon, Le Cannet (04 93 46 22 79).
Do you believe in “insulomania” ? Ivana and Bruno La Fata are living proof that “insulomanics” really exist. She’s from the Balkans, he’s the son of Sicilian emigrants. They have scoured the seas from Corsica to Sardinia, the Balearics, the Cyclades etc., in search of typical and original creations. With some enchanting encounters and surprising discoveries. Their “booty” is regularly brought back to their boutique called “Insula” in Monaco. Patchwork quilts, handmade and hand-painted ceramics, ex-votos and rattles, baskets, embroidered linen, artists’ jewellery… Ivana and Bruno try to recall their initial reactions to their finds, and share them in their showroom - which has become something of an island at the heart of the Principality. Insula, 16 rue de Millo, Monaco (00 377 97 77 80 95).
As the atmosphere of a home also depends on its furnishings, Idee X Arredare Profili proposes a refined selection with personalized fittings. A blend of antiques with modern design, always focussing on harmony. Idee X Arredare Profili, Largo Torino 6/c ang. Lungo Roya, Vintimiglia, Italy (00 39 (0)184 235 231). Photo : D. Bitetto.
1947 : Piero Cattaneo set up shop in Imperia. Four generations later, the family runs a shop of 1,100 m2. In these vast premises, contemporary styles rub shoulders with classic taste. Boffi bathrooms and kitchens (in exclusivity) succeed Poliform bedrooms and lounge furnishings designed by Living Divani, Cassina and R.S. Valeo. Philippe Starck has produced a collection for Kartell, and you’ll also find Smania and Chelini, handmade Banci creations, carpets by Paola Lenti and G.T. Design, Murano chandeliers and Treca beds. Cattaneo, Viale Matteotti, 62, Imperia, Italy (0183 71 09 72).
Precious, traditional, perfectly finished… No lack of adjectives to describe furniture made Fabiana Arredamenti. Working with craftsmen, she furnishes all the rooms in the home. Visible in her showroom or her catalogue, these models can be adapted to meet your needs. Fabiana’s expertise has already crossed frontiers : she is more than willing to carry out projects on the Côte d’Azur ! Fabiana Arredamenti, via Giovanni, Vallecrozia, Italy (00 39 (0)184 294 379).
“La Riviera dei Fiori”… No other region has such an appropriate name ! So much so that when you think about gardening, you’re already on your way to Italy. Laganà Piante is, in fact, one of those addresses ideal for buying plants and trees. In addition to excellent advice, it also proposes a landscaping service, from plans to execution and including sprinkler systems. A word for fans of palm-trees : the nursery has a wide array of exotic varieties… Laganà Piante, Bordighera, Italy (0184 25 37 29). www.laganapiante.it
The height of summer is upon us and you’re searching for a spot of shade where you can shelter from the heat close to your house or at the far end of the garden. The Italian company Policchi has the answer. With 32 years of experience in sunblinds and verandahs in fabric and wrought-iron, sunshades and other designs in PVC or wood, it excels in the field. Used to working with both professionals and private clients, it proposes custom-made service from designing the original concept to installation. How long does it take ? 20 days on average. Estimates are free and after-sales service irreproachable. And in its pursuit of perfection, Policchi provides motorized items by request, so that your sunblinds open or close depending on the weather. Policchi, C.so Inglesi, 634, Sanremo, Italy (00 39 328 78 15 403). policchitende@virgilio.it
With 13 original hues and a new “Modern Emulsion” finish, Farrow & Ball proves that its reputation is still rock-solid. Taken at random from the colour chart : “Calamine” reminds us of the shady rose of late 19th-century boudoirs ; “Dayroom Yellow” is typical Regency and “Elephant’s Breath” reproduces a colour made famous by John Fowler. “The latest finish,” confirms Farrow & Bell, “is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and living-rooms.” Farrow & Ball, on sale at Stuc & Matières, 1486 chemin de la Plaine, Mougins (04 92 28 57 98). Couleurs et Matières, 37 rue Eugène-Pelletan, Toulon (04 94 36 20 51).
In the garden or on a terrace, let your imagination roam free : the new Ikea collection lets you do so with its modest prices and playful designs ! Set up a table, chairs and sun-loungers (“Eckerö”, “Vinö” and “Brommö”), hang up “Swinga” (photo above) and add photophores in glass and steel (“Sommar”). Then just bask ! Ikea, rue Bastide-Blanche, Vitrolles (0 825 079 079).
A boutique dreamt up by Peter Malia, a fan of decor and colours. For this guy from Malta with a “so British” accent, the future had taken the guise of a bank. Not for long ! After a trip to London, a training course with fashionable decorator Jocasta Innes and a meeting with two chemists called Brian and David, he launched “The Little Shop” and inaugurated its premises of 15 sq. metres. His aim is to offer everyone the chance of mastering professional techniques. And the simple use of the products is suggested by the name. Depending on their taste, everyone can add colour to wood, metal or plastic. Currently very popular, rough daubing in sixteen different colours, inspired by Italo-Mediterranean frescos. Works well in bathrooms and kitchens. The Little Shop, 22 rue Emmanuel-Philibert, Nice (04 93 26 77 93).
There’s something very tonic about the new Kenzo collection. Amongst the fabrics, “Speed” features cheerful stripes, “Wax” recalls velvety Massaï lozenges, “Kami” opposes matte and pearly threads… As for accessories, lightness comes in the form of exuberant drapes, blankets and cushions enhanced by… crocheted talismen adorned with beads and buttons in mother-of-pearl ! Kenzo, on sale at Festival Décoration, 1741 avenue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, Saint-Laurent-du-Var (04 93 07 26 24).
Have you ever sat down in front of an aquarium ? Like a fireplace, the spectacle offered by this mini marine world captivates and holds one’s gaze. Decorative and certainly in the mood of today, aquariophilia is becoming ever more popular. Synonymous with serenity, this watery world has now adapted to meet the dictates of fashion. Classic rectangular shapes have been replaced by more complex volumes which inspire designers. And would you believe it : there are 21 million fish in French homes… For further info on aquariophilia and its main players, contact Prom’animal on www.promojardin.com.
Both indoors and out, by day and by night, this is an essential address for fans of decoration. The specialist for contemporary atmospheres, working in partnership with world-renowned designers, Meubles Monsch are the exclusive representatives for the Cinna and Ligne Roset brands and also propose a show area devoted to lounges. The Norwegian firm Stressless has also entrusted the company with distribution of its products. Célio is the star brand for storage units while Lattoflex and André Renault’s “Club-Line” are exclusive names for bedding. For the garden, wrought-iron, basketwork and contemporary materials coexist alongside creations signed Kettal, Triconfort and Hugonet. In parallel, the showroom proposes a design office for interior architecture. Meubles Monsch/Magic Sommeil, RN7. And Avenue du Colonel-Dessert, Puget-sur-Argens (04 94 19 66 66). Ligne Roset/Meubles Monsch, 1 bd d’Alger, Fréjus (04 94 53 47 07).
In the world of candles, they have a place apart. Because they’re synonymous with a certain life-style. Nothing’s been left to chance : neither their colours, fragrances, design, nor the choice of the wax. Not even their wicks, in natural cotton, giving a radiant flame which burns more slowly. Proof of their originality ? They’re called “Ellipse”, “Paris”, “Beehive”, “Sirius” and even “N°3”. The perfect solution for an intimate ambiance. De Loin… Paris, on sale at L’Ile Douce, 5 rue Alsace, Sainte-Maxime (04 94 96 67 16).
It’s signed Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbæk. Designed in stainless steel, this barbecue proposes three types of cooking : direct, central or indirect. With legs that adapt to any surface, it can be installed wherever you like. The bonus is a dome-shaped lid which transforms it into an oven, enabling you to cook whole chickens. And when not in use, it has a cover and becomes an occasional table. A really appealing barbecue ! Approx. 740 €. Eva Solo, on sale at Cre-Nova, 27 rue Hôtel-des-Postes, Nice (04 93 62 36 67).
Laurent Nurisso and Chris Curtis have just launched a British-style concept store in Nice. Laurent is an interior architect, Chris works in marketing. They decided to open a shop to house their passion. More than a boutique, it is in fact a state of mind. For if Laurent and Chris display creations by Léonor Mataillet (silk-screened textiles) and Olivier Gagnère, lighting, books on deco, Mathias candles and a few young designers (including Petites Productions and Matière Grise), they also offer their services for “re-looking” projects. For just one room, a whole apartment or a house, they produce custom-made plans. A lounge-music ambiance where decor takes pride of place. Life Style Bazaar, 35 rue Droite, Nice (04 93 54 50 64).
Installed for the past four years at Carros, this art foundry is launching its own line of lamps and vases, christened “Esprit Nature”. Combining glass and bronze while adding extra effects (galuchat, croco, wood and pebbles are particularly fashionable) is the challenge taken up by this work group, in fact involved with sculptors such as Sosno, designers like Ligne Métal, architects and interior decorators. A traditional art interpreted with fresh inspiration. Fonderie d’Art Alpes 06, Zac de la Grave, Carros (04 93 29 25 02).
