A Cannes First: The Making of Our Debut Grand Pied à Terre

From the beginning, the apartment’s 1970s architecture informed every decision. “The building is really cool,” Julie explained. “Brutalist balconies, grand staircases, murals, even the pool area has this kitschy-but-chic charm which is quintessentially Cannes” Rather than work against it, she leaned in.

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Lighting was one of the first cues taken from the building’s era. Warm amber tones, sculptural shapes, and soft glows mirror the mood of the original communal spaces. The travertine flooring, already part of the building’s DNA, became an anchor, a natural material that grounds the apartment in its history while still feeling modern and fresh.

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“It already had so many interesting features,” Julie noted. “We just needed to preserve the identity that was there.”`

Natural materials were at the heart of the design. Stone, marble, textured woods, all chosen to feel luxurious yet relaxed. “Everything needed to feel elevated but not formal,” Julie explained. “Comfort is key in a holiday home.”

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Playfulness came through in key moments: the wavy bespoke headboards, the large blue sofa, the patterned rug that ties the living room together. “The walls are kept neutral so the statements can shine,” she said. “Headboards, vanities, these are what we call the ‘inspiration-picture moments’.”

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Even the marble selection became a curated process. Working with a supplier in Italy, Julie handpicked unique slabs based on mood and colour. The master bathroom’s blue-veined marble, threaded with creams and browns, was chosen because “it brought everything together, the timber, the tiles, the paint. It was something unique that you don’t see everywhere.”

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But above all, the view led to the design. “It’s the spectacle,” Julie said. “Every hour of the day is different.” To honour it, is much about the layout as it is the materials and palette. Nothing competes: the sofa faces the sea rather than the TV, chairs swivel toward the horizon, and even the kitchen layout opens to the coastline. From the balcony, the iconic silhouette of the Hôtel Martinez anchors the vista.

What gives the apartment its soul is not only the custom design, but the way antiques and vintage pieces are woven through it, each one chosen to echo the era of the building and the spirit of the Côte d’Azur.

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The hero piece is the rattan sideboard in the dining room: a 1970s French credenza that feels as though it could have lived in the apartment since the day the building opened. “We needed something with a unique texture that wouldn’t compete with the marble,” Julie said. “This one had character without shouting.” Paired with the playful wall of plates above it, the whole vignette becomes a quiet homage to Riviera entertaining.

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Beyond that, the sourcing process was wonderfully eclectic, much like Cannes itself. The bedside tables in the master bedroom came from a long-trusted antique dealer in France, chosen for their subtle patina and ability to sit naturally alongside the more contemporary pieces. A sculptural jug in the entrance was found at Les Puces de Nice, the famed antique market near the port where 1970s treasures tend to surface alongside mid-century ceramics and retro coastal objects. “I always try to find coral pieces for bathrooms,” Julie added, “something organic that anchors the space to the sea.”

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Artwork adds another layer of Riviera character. During a site visit, we sourced two pieces from a market in Nice, now stacked beautifully in the lounge, and a vintage Virgil piece that hangs in bedroom three. Each work was framed to feel fresh while still honouring its provenance.

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When mixing antiques with contemporary design, Julie has a simple guiding principle: let timeless materials carry the room, and let the antiques bring personality. “If the base is cohesive,” she explained, “the vintage pieces don’t feel random, they feel meant for the space.”