HOMES & GARDENS MAGAZINE - MAY 2024
ART DECO VILLA RENOVATION - SOUTH OF FRANCE
Homes & Gardens Magazine - May 2024
"IT WAS VERY MUCH ABOUT RENOVATING AND BRINGING IT BACK TO WHAT IT WOULD’VE BEEN IN ITS HEYDAY”
Once the home of a French film star, this grand art deco villa with its striking pink facade in the south of France was the epitome of faded glory when bought by the present owners.
They commissioned Cave Interiors, who had worked on their London project, Io restore it to its previous splendour. 'It was very much about renovating and bringing it back to what it would've been in its heyday; says Georgina Cave, the studio's creative director and founder, who worked on the villa with her daughter Anouska and their team. 'Most of the original features were missing so we reintroduced panelling and cornicing.' They also opened up window arches and designed the new fanlights in the salon, introducing them over internal doors in other areas such as the bureau and main bedroom. 'We continued that theme throughout the house to make it more in keeping with the art deco aesthetic and French style.'
The property is listed — the exterior paint colour was sacrosanct, for instance. Work allowed included the building of a timber-clad extension at the back of the property with a kitchen, snug, two bedrooms and a bathroom, a new basement that incorporates a playroom, three bedrooms — two with en suites — a family bathroom and a utility, as well as a redesigned staircase. Cave Interiors were responsible for the planning, which involved reconfiguration of some of the rooms. Upstairs, for instance, the main suite was redesigned to create a main bedroom, dressing room and bathroom, as well as an en-suite guest bedroom.
The interior is imbued with an elegant, enduring quality. 'The client didn't want the country Provencal look so we worked closely with her to create a classic and timeless design,' says Georgina. 'It needed to be in keeping with the environment, so we chose local stone and colours with the Mediterranean light in mind.' The decor exudes 'a gentle glamour that encompasses the taste of the client', and this is epitomised by the number of pendants. 'The one in the bureau was the first one we sourced and a favourite of ours,' says Anouska. 'The client likes pieces with glass so there's a lot of Murano. Around 90 per cent of the lighting was vintage or antique, and much of it is mid-century.'
The statement kitchen includes an informal dining area that opens onto the terrace and was a difficult space to design because of its long and narrow shape. The client was inspired by fluted marble, so Cave Interiors designed an arresting Arabescato Corchia marble island. To complement it, green cabinetry, which picks up on the goldy green threads running through the marble, was chosen.
A muted colour palette is used throughout. 'It's soft and gentle so as to work with the light,' says Georgina. The client was open to the occasional strong colour and this is showcased in the bureau where deep red introduces verve. 'We wanted to create a really bold statement with the deep red,' says Anouska. 'It has a masculine air but element< of prettiness.'
The elegant redesigned staircase elicits instant impact. 'The idea was Io have this lovely, flowing, circular feel. The steps at the base are curved to bring you round as you walk down, which was important,' says Georgina. Panelling is carried down the staircase and through the rest of the house, injecting flow and grandeur as well. 'We wanted it to feel quite majestic because it is a really grand villa and makes a statement with its beautiful architecture.’
