In the heart of Mazargues, the exterior of this apartment was already structured by its shape but never really invested. A challenge in only 50 m2!

Target

The exterior of this apartment, located close to the hills of Marseille, was already structured by its shape but never invested. It consisted of a wooden terrace that covered the entire space, and on the side, an outdoor shower/mini pool to cool off in the summer. It was essential for the clients to protect themselves from the opposite side of the house, to occupy this exterior as a real additional living room. A challenge in only 50m².

Course of action

Vegetate the whole space, but also create real distinct living spaces.

Achievement

The shower/mini pool area has been rethought in the choice of materials, a square blue Onyx mosaic has been put in place, to allow this element visible from the living room, to be an “object” highlighted summer and winter. The low wall separating it from the terrace was widened to provide a comfortable seat on both the shower/mini pool side and the terrace side. Facing this element, a module in waxed concrete and red cedar comes to dress the wall until now unoccupied and is broken up of several elements: air conditioner cover, summer kitchen and large masonry bench. These elements allow the installation of a lounge area, to spend convivial moments from the arrival of the beautiful days.

To protect the terrace from the opposite side, the openwork red cedar and metal screens close the terrace on the hillside without depriving the owners of the green view. The colors of the landscape are also found on the terrace: shades of green/gray for the plants, Ravel pottery in white terracotta, and a planter in earth fiber. Even the choice of furniture (Fermob and Arkimueble) links the different shades of the hills and the sea that is so dear to them.

Finally, a custom-made awning protects the entire length of the terrace and custom-made seat cushions have been designed in nautical fabrics, all made to measure for optimal comfort.

A renovation that smells like summer!

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Mazargues

A real village in the city, it has kept this spirit around its shopping streets.
  • Crédits photosGabrielle Voinot
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Before …

This villa designed by architect Alain Richard in 2007 has a 100 m2 roof terrace offering an exceptional panorama of the sea and the hills of Les Goudes.

Target

Develop this unused roof terrace. Largely dominated by its direct relationship with the sky, and the minerality of its context, the layout of the roof must blend into the decor.

Course of action

Work on the question of the limit and allow this new roof terrace to integrate elegantly and discreetly into its environment.

Achievement

The aesthetic choice was to work with light furniture, whose colors and materials are reminiscent of the immediate environment, or make nods to the imagination evoked by the place (boat, port, forts, etc.). The garden lounge and the dining area are the two strong, structuring elements, around which the color is brought by the small furniture, the decoration and the vegetation. Strict and direct forms are mixed with softer ones, to bring a touch of harmony and softness to the whole. The layout of the terrace contrasts with the brutality of its landscape. One serves the other for more lightness.

The outdoor design was realized in partnership with Good Design Store, for the supply of furniture (Fermob, Houe, Gervasoni, Petite Friture, Serax), Basset Diffusion Aubagne nursery for the plants (olive tree, phormium, dasylirion, cycas, etc).

A roof terrace where the owners now enjoy spending quality time!

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Private: Les Goudes

At the gates of the calanques, this district is in osmosis with nature.
  • Crédits photosFranKc Orsoni
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Before …

In a 1930s building, this apartment with beautiful art-deco rosettes required a total rehabilitation.

Target

This apartment benefits from significant assets: beautiful volumes, a pleasant distribution, a crossing light. In its original state, the toilets were on the balcony, the kitchen was independent, the small living room was no longer functional, the living room lacked light. The objective is to connect the living rooms and give them back meaning, to write the history of the new occupants while respecting the place.

Course of action

To bring coherence to the different spaces, while proposing a real decorative bias.

Achievement

The living room becomes an office and has been opened on the corridor, thanks to a set of light wood claustras. The corridor, original by its U shape is highlighted by a game of color. The partition between the kitchen and the living room is transformed into a light wood skylight, thus bringing light and finally connecting the two spaces. Storage units have been specially designed for the office and the parents’ bedroom, and particular attention has been paid to the choice of materials in the kitchen and bathroom.

A gentle renovation, where life is good!

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Private: Cinq Avenues

Away from the Old Port, beyond the Canebière, is the Cinq Avenues neighborhood.
  • Crédits photosChrystel Laporte
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Before …

In the heart of Bompard, the exteriors and views from the top floor of this townhouse appealed to the new owners. This small enclosed garden had to be able to accommodate two distinct spaces: a terrace/summer kitchen and a garden area.

Target

Nestled in the heart of Bompard district, this small enclosed garden had to be able to accommodate two distinct spaces: a terrace / summer kitchen and a garden area.

Course of action

This exterior was worked in two planes, signified by large horizontal elements, namely the low wall and the planting spaces.

Achievement

The result is a clever play of contrasts between sharp colors and a choice of plants with characterful foliage. Strelitzia and false pepper trees are green in all seasons, responding with character to the minimalist design painted on the wall. The low wall is long and accommodates the summer kitchen and garden spaces, creating an impression of perspective and depth.

A colorful and graphic patio, beautifully highlighting the different tones of the chosen species.

  • Crédits photosVincent Driancourt
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Before …

In the heart of an old district of Marseille, a fisherman’s house with a bleached façade has been given a new lease on life after a thorough renovation.

Target

To bring freshness, to remain in the Mediterranean theme of the house, and to preserve itself from the opposite.

Course of action

Provide residents and visitors with a unique experience around local plants and color.

Achievement

The patio, mainly mineral, highlights the beginnings of color, by a blue planter with a lush look, in agreement with other elements: swing, shutters, interior colors. Through the interior staircase, the living room reveals a second terrace, a real living space. To limit the vis-à-vis, the pergola has been woven with ropes, to become the support of two bougainvilleas. The color is brought by the choice of the decoration – cushions, plaids, furniture. The linear white pots placed on the wall, host climbing and falling plants, mitigating the linearity of the latter. Ravel’s terracotta pots serve the space and the plants, bringing softness to the whole. By going back up the central staircase of the house, a last layer is revealed to us: the roof terrace with the appearance of a Greek landscape, with this shade of blue on the ground which, on certain days, harmonizes with the sky. The white bench, punctuated with graphic and dry plants, the summer kitchen with white canisses, the woven suspensions and the seaside furniture from Honoré, offer a total change of scenery as soon as the sun comes out.

A real city oasis, bathed in a resolutely Mediterranean air!

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Mazargues

A real village in the city, it has kept this spirit around its shopping streets.
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Before …