French Riviera Style

May 31, 2022

The French Riviera is aglow as the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix have just ended with some of the world’s most recognised celebrities donning the latest designer styles and fashion. 

Style is the order of the day.

Actually, every day on the French Riviera is all about style!  All the cafes, beach clubs, restaurants, and chic lounges are dressed to impress including the people. 

But just what is Riviera style?

Effortless, Simple Sophistication

With the azure turquoise colour of the Mediterranean in the backdrop,  charming sun-bleached frescos of the Maisons de Ville that line most of the ports and villages along the Cote d’Azur, the melange of the Provencal charm with world-class glamour and affluence infuses the subtle Mediterranean breeze. 

Classic scenes such as Bridget Bardot driving the speedboat in the bay of Saint Tropez in the 1955 film “And God Created Woman” showcased a sublime French lifestyle to the world and elevated the simple fishing village of Saint Tropez as a top VIP destination. The Bardot effect, certainly.

White and Bleu

From refined and minimalistic light sand and grey tones paired with white linen to nautical blue and white striped parasols and vintage Parisian Epoque in classic black and white woven bistro chairs, White is the Riviera’s signature colour when it comes to style for both decor and fashion.

The shades of azure blue is the precious inspiration of the Mediterranean sea.

From the signature chaise bleu of the Promenade des Anglais and on the Croisette in Cannes, you will find an ode to this pristine blue everywhere along the Cote d’Azur.

The essence of this colour palette is where we draw our inspiration from for our interior design projects on the Cote d’Azur.

Artists like Picasso, Matisse, Chagall and Dufy were also all drawn to the Riviera for its bright luminosity that were depicted in their famous works of art.

Rooted in Provencal Charm

Whether you are seaside or countryside, the Provencal charm is tied to the territory through the simple architecture, agriculture and gardening, nature, cuisine, and joie de vivre. 

The joy is in appreciating the simplicity because the surroundings speak for themselves with their natural beauty.  

Dining al fresco under the pergola of wisteria with friends and family, and enjoying locally grown products like olive oils, cheeses, and wine in connection to this coveted Mediterranean territory.

Irrefutable Elegance and Class

The French Riviera heralds some of the most beautiful hotels with undeniable elegance and class such as the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc nestled in the rugged scenic coastline of Cap d’Antibes.  

A timeless legend of carefree elegance and inspirational beauty. 

During the Cannes Film Festival, A-list celebrities and film are usually spotted in the Carlton Beach Club soaking in the Mediterranean sun.

A Lifestyle of Outdoor Living 

A signature mark of living on the French Riviera is the year long indoor/outdoor living lifestyle.

Touting 300 days of sunshine a year, the most exclusive homes are designed with the intention of enjoying the glorious sunny weather all year. The focal point is the terrace, whether is a sea view terrace or niched in the Provencal countryside.

The natural lighting of the Riviera is quite unique which makes designing the interiors of luxury homes quite interesting  in that the interior lighting designs complement the vast arrays of ever changing natural light streams.

The French Riviera is a distinct blend of old and new, a harmonious contrast that carries with it an inspiring carefree spirit.

Perhaps the French way of admiring the simple things in life such as a beautiful flower market like the Cours Saleya in Nice, an afternoon pause for an espresso al fresco or a seaside aperitif to watch the sunset, reminds us of the beauty of the simple pleasures and making simple pleasures beautiful.

Here is a sneak peak of our current project for a sea view villa in Villefranche-sur-mer.

For our projects in the south of France we infuse this essence of enjoyment along with the energy of refined organic materials and natural light to create living spaces whose beauty and comfort are effortless.

Whether you are having a picnic on the beach,  5-star fine dining, or renovating your home,  the essence of Riviera style is in the effortless spirit of enjoyment.