THE GLAMOUR…
of this hilltop property located above Cannes in the French Riviera embraces the majesty of the landscape that surrounds it, mixing luxury with a sense of relaxed living. Surrounded by luscious greenery thanks to a climate that enables daring and exotic plantings, Villa Odaya overlooks the Mediterranean Sea with panoramic views of the Lérins Islands noted for their unspoiled beauty. The celebrated light emanating from the coastline has influenced some of history’s most important artists from Renoir and Bonnard to Matisse and Picasso, so it seemed natural to interior architect design duo, Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet, to use it as a tool, inviting it to spill through the residence with the aim of allowing “the inside and outside to communicate.”
THE LEGACY…
of the Riviera’s artistic past is celebrated with bespoke furniture pieces, mid-century collectibles and contemporary artworks, all chosen by the Monaco-based firm. In the main lounge, a bespoke Humbert & Poyet ‘Theodore’ navy blue sofa curls towards a matching white two-seater, creating a social ‘bubble’ in the heart of the room and compounding a sense of cozy within the family home. Here too, a polished marble floor reflects light around a lounge punctuated with vintage ceramics, a brass/ wood/glass ‘Haumea’ coffee table by Gallotti & Radice and abstract canvases by Ludovic Philippon with geometric compositions that speak to the greenery of the French countryside.
PRACTICAL…
and sociable, the villa’s bright kitchen mixes modernity with a touch of rustic charm thanks to bespoke rosewood cabinets, a retro-inspired marble patterned floor and simple ‘Utility’ stools from Stellar Works created by Shanghai design firm Neri&Hu. A panel of azure paint adds a touch of whimsy to an otherwise minimalist space, ensuring that luxury never veers towards ostentation.
THROUGHOUT…
the home, the team used strong aesthetic markers to accentuate the natural dimensions and perspectives of individual rooms, sometimes lengthening them, sometimes narrowing them to create a more impactful experience. Black marble floor patterns work to delineate traffic and space while a large graphic wall mural marks the procession up and down a central glass staircase that connects all four floors of the home.
A CUSTOM…
notched, French blue vanity floats upon a polished onyx wall, echoing the hues of the Riviera’s celebrated beachscapes while a Devon & Devon tub is perfectly situated to take in the scenery just outside.
NO RIVIERA…
villa would be complete without a suitably luxurious piscine. Here, Humbert & Poyet set the stage with the type of poolside glamour worthy of a Slim Aarons photo. Here, the designer’s unique brand of nostalgia and modernity is achieved with a calibrated mix of vintage accessories, natural materials and stunning Italian pieces like the Meridiani sun-loungers and graphic Ombra Parisols by Paola Lenti. The round screens boast articulated spines designed to orient for the perfect tan. It’s details like these that make Humbert & Poyet masters of their craft and Villa Odaya one of the Côte d’Azur’s finest examples of timeless chic living.
Design: Humbert & Poyet
Photography: Francis Amiand
