‘Sublime’ is the word that comes to mind when describing the panorama visible from this home’s enviable vantage point above Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a small town between Monaco and Nice.
With the intensity of the sunshine highlighting the deep blues of both sky and sea, it is no surprise that so many creatives throughout the centuries have been fascinated by the landscape of this part of the French Riviera. The owner of this house, a property developer and avid art collector in his 50s, also felt its mesmeric pull.
The wonder could have stopped at the views, but the magic continues inside this modern home, thanks to the work of up-and-coming interior architect Jean-Charles Tomas. Born and based in the south of France, he has mastered how to create spaces that match the joie de vivre of this part of the country.
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What started as a small project (he was initially hired to remodel only the kitchen) soon transformed into a full makeover of this 350-square-metre, two-storey house, which took two years to complete. Throughout the process, Jean-Charles focused on delivering a cohesive visual story to produce what he describes as ‘a refined mid-century modern abode with breathtaking views’.
‘Designing is a language and, like every language, you start learning it by mimicking,’ he continues. ‘I recreate forms I’ve seen in the past and slowly shape them to what feels organically right to my eye. We all have a different design language, just like we all have different voices and accents. The idea is to broaden and nourish your vocabulary.’ Here, his every design move speaks of glamour.
Calacatta Viola marble is used extensively throughout, while custom-built wooden elements, conceived by Jean-Charles, are a thoughtful addition to original mid-century furniture by the likes of Hans J Wegner and Pierre Jeanneret.
The combination shows the designer’s predilection for natural materials and neutral palettes, which, he explains, ‘are easier to mix with art, furniture and fabrics’. Paintings by artists including Albert Oehlen, André Butzer and Cheyney Thompson, among others, add touches of bright colour to the pared-back rooms, without ever distracting from the inspirational landscape outside of the vast windows.
‘The client wanted to feel like this home could have been a unique and high-end boutique hotel,’ says Jean-Charles, ‘so I strove to create a serene yet luxurious atmosphere.’ The result is a place that achieves an aesthetic balancing act by being both contemporary and timeless – a magical quality that feels particular to this effortlessly chic stretch of the Mediterranean coast. jeancharlestomas.com
This article first appeared in ELLE Decoration September 2022
