Builder’s crack, naked Corsicans and another Project done in Nice….

June 21, 2013

What a laugh we have had on this project on Rue Marachel Joffre.  The naked Corsican builder…..more on that later!

 

 

This apartment was a right state when we took the project on to totally redesign and rebuild the apartment. Our client lives in Dubai but had always loved the South of France and wanted a magical and “bonkers” bolt hole that she could chill out in with friends. With direct daily flights from Dubai to Nice the plan was a win win for our client.

 

 

The designs as you will see are rather “bubbly” to say the least!  But we wanted the space to be a really cheerful retreat that made our client smile every time that she returned to Nice. So lots colours, patterns, textures and chandeliers add a really jolly spirit to this space.

 

 

We gutted the apartment moving staircases and rearranging all of the internal spaces on two floors. We needed the right build team and once again the French delivered.  Only a few Francophobe Brits say that the French are difficult to work with!  What I have found is that they work smart and make the most of their time. Getting more done in a work day by focusing and also allowing time for a good lunch.

 

 

It was priceless on my first site visit, when I stumbled on a large furniture carton covered with a table cloth, plates, glasses, napkins and an amazing spread of cheeses, pates, fruit and breads. Surrounding this delectable and stylish feast was my French build team having lunch.  A chair was pulled up for me to join them and a glass of chilled rose thrust into my hand –my kind of builders!

The builders were mostly Nicois but Laurent, the dark swarthy one from Corsica, had a habit of changing in the morning from his very stylish designer clothes to his work clothes.  As it happened this fortunately coincided with my morning view of progress on site!  All I can say is that I have never seen a builder in London that looks quite as trim!  Not a saggy builder’s crack in sight on the Cote D Azur!