LEÇON DE STYLE
After five years in Aix-en-Provence, where Charline scouted out new ready-to-wear brands for her boutique while Baptiste set up his first school, ESDAC (École Supérieure de Design, d’Arts Appliqués et de Communication), these two aesthetes with a passion for art, design and fashion settled in Marseille’s antiques district. It was a choice they made with their hearts, and one that kept them happy until the thirst for a new adventure arose!
Speaking the same language of architecture and design, they recognized each other in ARCHIK. And when it came to selling this little jewel, which they renovated from top to bottom, they wanted an agency that understood their intentions and choices, and knew how to convey them to future buyers.
Did you fall in love with this apartment? What was your first impression when you visited it?
C – B – We fell in love with it on our first visit. Very bright and spacious, with charming owners who made us think of ourselves. We immediately felt at home, with the two bedrooms overlooking the heart of the block, giving us a feeling of peace and quiet despite the fact that we’re in the center of town.
How did you plan the renovation ?
We restored it to our taste and rethought several of the layouts. As we are both real gourmets, it was important for us to have a large kitchen. The idea of having a semi-open kitchen was a good compromise between the desired space and the constant order of the room. It was therefore moved along the windows to take advantage of the natural light. And to match its stove (laughs), it was clad in oak and marble and adorned with Gaggenau, like a jewel in its setting. On the floor, the choice of wide strip solid wood parquet enlarges the volumes and gives the rooms a certain depth. Everything has a patina, and we like the idea of materials revealing their most beautiful rough edges.
“Everything has a patina, and we like the idea of materials revealing their most beautiful asperities in this way.”
“The idea of having a semi-open kitchen was a good compromise between the hoped-for space and the constant order of the room.”
Is there anything you like about living in your apartment?
We particularly like the charming rooms. They are located in the heart of a quiet island. We’ve refurbished them in soft tones, giving pride of place to the lush vegetation on the balcony.
Tell us about your experience with ARCHIK?
We wanted ARCHIK to help us sell our apartment, as it was important to us to work with an agency that understood our environment, where architecture and design resonate.
The sale went quite quickly, as the ARCHIK team, and especially Mélissa, immediately understood the apartment’s ambience and knew how to highlight the smallest details of its renovation.
THE 3 FETISHES
MICHELIN RED GUIDE ITALY
Italy is our heartland. Baptiste lived there when he was younger and knows each region better than those in his native country. We’ve fallen particularly in love with Tuscany, where we often recharge our batteries. The Florentine cypress trees, the wineries and the Italian art of living inspire us. The Red Guide is just an excuse to list the classics, while our favorite and most confidential addresses are well kept in our memories !
WATERCOLORS BY MICHEL CIRY
It’s a story of memories, as the work depicts a field of apple trees in Varengevilles-sur-Mer, Charline’s native town. Painted in the 60s, you can still feel the morning mist in this watercolor, the special Norman atmosphere so beloved of the Impressionists.
VANUATU MASK
Belonging to the Guigues collection and purchased from the Franck Marcelin gallery in Aix, I offered this 19th-century mask because Baptiste is passionate about Oceanic and aboriginal art ! From Vanuatu, it’s made from very rough materials, banana leaves, earth and hemp.