Cannes, South of France
Location: Cannes, South of france
timescale: 18 moNTHS
scope of works: RENOVATION OF 18TH CENTURY APARTMENT
Perched amid rolling hills above picturesque Cannes harbour, this Côte D’Azur apartment had been neglected and was in need of extensive renovation when our clients, a professional German couple, made the purchase. We had already been working with them on their primary home in Dresden and they also own another property nestled far away in coastal mountains, however they wanted a convenient pied-à-terre when meeting friends for a night out in Cannes. Located within a Classical 18th Century building, our brief was to transform this original one-bedroom property and reflect the city's grandeur with our full turn-key service.
Working with Monaco-based contractors Chartwell Group, we wanted to create a living space that would blend Classical architectural features with a distinctive, contemporary interior. We planned to revitalise original elements and recapture their splendour, while capitalising on magnificent vantage points over the French Riviera. This apartment had fallen into disrepair, however many of its original features remained intact. Honouring these, this included extensive restoration work on the impressively intricate double-height coffered ceilings. We also stripped back to the original walls and floor, fully restoring every authentic detail.
We also converted the main reception, hallway and master bedroom with floor-to-ceiling panelling and new cornices. The existing parquet flooring was re-sanded and stained in a contemporary light grey wash. Throughout this luxury apartment, you'll discover the palette is soft with occasional pops of colour. This includes brass and copper tones, which pepper the neutral colour ways.
Lavish palm trees are synonymous with Cannes and its famous Boulevard de Croisette boardwalk. So, the palm tree-style foliage potted in resplendent urns in the elegant foyer to this building are a nod to those that line the coast with a majestic feel that resonates throughout this apartment.
Our clients were eager to breathe new life into this apartment, so we created a decadent entrance. The palatial hall now befits this serene luxury apartment with a striking ceiling, which we painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague blue to reflect views of Cannes harbour. Working with our hand-picked joiner, we designed bespoke storage with Tom Faulkner handles and picked wall lights from Arteriors. We also produced an architectural round navy blue pouffe, in suede and boucle tweed, to add texture and style.
In this luxury apartment, we carefully curated a distinguished, multi-functional living space, which combines key practicalities with ample refinement. For the kitchen area, we positioned the central island next to a floor-to-ceiling window with an incredible vista. So, this provides the perfect place to relax with a glass of champagne on one of the sculptural backed, bespoke Lily bar stools from Secolo. We also designed a dedicated ice bucket-style sink, which ensures every bottle can be chilled to perfection, in the smooth, marble composite wrap-around worktop. This meant plumbing installation works, which the builders successfully completed, while retaining the existing parquet flooring.
The bespoke kitchen now provides plenty of room for entertaining, such as prepping and cooking canapés for guests. However, in keeping with the spirit of this open-plan space, we assembled decorative bi-fold doors, which can cleverly conceal the kitchen from view. We have successfully blended the decorative elements on these doors with the existing wall panelling to create a more cohesive living area.
A sculptural console table from the Tom Faulkner Papillon collection links the kitchen with the living area. This gives the space an opulent edge in a white gold finish with a clear glass top. Meanwhile, the corrugated cabinet under the TV from Julian Chichester contrasts beautifully with smooth textures elsewhere in the room. We used drapes with fabric from Jab Anstoetz by Chivasso, which pool on the floor for a more decadent finish. These natural linen curtains are also lined and they billow with the ocean breeze.
We added the perfect finishing touch to this room with a striking pendant installation by Haberdashery. Featuring a collection of gilt and white butterfly shapes, drifting delicately at varying heights, this creates an inspiring eye-catching feature with fluidity. We fixed this piece to the original, heavily coffered, restored plaster ceiling to create an elegant finish.
The open-plan, elegant reception room now makes perfect use of spectacular views over Cannes and the Côte d’Azur. This is due, in part, to the placement of the bespoke seating in the main sitting area, towards the French doors and Juliet balcony. We also added striped awnings externally to help filter the light, from enhancing a southern France ambience to embracing shade from the Mediterranean sun.
A bespoke Tateyama sofa from Secolo offers distinctive curved, low-back seating, which echoes the curvaceous flow on the worktop at the breakfast bar. Brushed brass detailing flows from the back of the sofa to form integrated, sculptural side tables either side. Eichholtz armchairs upholstered in a textured boucle fabric give a warm and welcoming feel to complete the look. Meanwhile, cushions in eclectic contrasting textiles from Zac + Fox and Holly Hunt layer the look and lift the lounge area. A practical, yet luxurious, rug from Matthew Wailes features a contrast linen border for exquisite attention to detail. We also hand-picked a circular metal drum table from Arteriors; this provides a distinctive focal point for a display piece, coffee table books and perhaps a glass of champagne.
This luxury apartment's splendour continues in the master bedroom. Here, we designed a pocket door to maximise every inch of space and help to accommodate the sumptuous king-size Robert Langford bed. A bespoke floor-to-ceiling padded headboard, upholstered in a pretty faux blush suede by Elitis, and antique effect mirrors reflect dramatic views of the Côte d'Azur. However, these aspects also help to add an illusion of space. Two decorative wall lights in a stylish onyx finish by Luxdeco provide a subtle glow.
Plenty of storage for our clients' clothing, shoes and bags was paramount. So, we designed fully-fitted wardrobes with Xylocleaf Penelope linen-effect interiors, which ensure everything can be stored neatly. The bespoke wall-hung dressing table and a stool with a striking, capsule-shaped mirror help to create a lighter, spacious feel. A new feature brass pendant from Rose Uniackecreates contrast with the restored coffered ceiling and also completes the look.
In the wet room, fluted cabinetry meets glorious full-height mirrors. We added Porta Romana Toucan wall lights in an antique finish for a touch of fun. We also selected fittings in brushed antique brass and chose a slimline Carrara faux marble-effect vanity top for a versatile finish. In addition, we chose porcelain-tiled flooring in a neutral colour way, which ties this room in with the rest of the scheme.
Ultimately, we rose to this restoration challenge, creating a retreat that is uniquely chic but remains true to its roots, combining modern day comforts with luxury and style.
