We recently partnered with top London interior design studio th2designs to style one of our extraordinary lateral penthouses. We caught up with Managing Director, Gail Taylor, to tell us about how she applied her interior design style to our gorgeous apartment.
Tell us a bit about you and your design ethos?
Over the past 30 years, I have founded and led three successful businesses in the interior design world. I currently head up th2designs. My passion is delivering the very best interior design for my clients. I focus on creating spaces in which people can live and relax. Moreover, these spaces should stand the test of time.
Designing a home is not just about something that looks good. It also has to function for every aspect of your life. Once you’ve identified these functions and outlined a budget and timeframe, I set about working out a detailed design. For instance, in terms of space planning and lighting, what envelope are we working within? Can the use and flow of the space be improved? What natural light is available and how can this be enhanced? We need to consider practicalities as well as the style and feel of the space.
What have you created at Parc du Cap?
Parc du Cap is undoubtedly one of the top luxury residential developments in the Côte d’Azur. So, we wanted to craft a furnishing scheme that complemented and enhanced the existing gorgeous finishes. This meant layering on all the comfort and luxury you’d expect in a five-star environment while keeping it welcoming, stylish and relaxed. In other words, employing a contemporary aesthetic with a soft edge. We wanted this to be a true home-away-from-home, where anyone walking in would want to kick off their shoes and settle in!
Walk us through the penthouse style?
We really considered the locality when we were designing the scheme and choosing furniture. Fabrics and materials had to be luxurious whilst being practical. The sun is very intense here, so outside fabrics get bleached out. Equally, summer is very hot, so we had to ensure our fabrics worked with the warm Mediterranean climate. We wanted to complement the amazing views from the apartment; you can see both the ocean and the mountains from the terraces. But we didn’t want fabrics or patterns inside to be in competition with the views.
Creating that link between inside and outside was also important. For instance, we used a large circular table both inside the dining room and outside on the lower terrace. This mirroring of shapes links both areas. It’s the perfect combination of inside / outside dining.
Where did your ideas for your interior scheme come from?
We were really inspired by the quality of the natural light on the Côte d’Azur. It’s world famous! And it’s been inspiring artists locally for years. Specifically, we drew inspiration from the communal gardens at the heart of Parc du Cap.
We crafted our scheme from a natural, tonal palette associated with the local flora. These were: Olive for the living spaces, Lavender for the master suite, and Almond, Rose and Pamplemousse for the three further bedrooms. On the extensive roof terraces, we chose Cerise. We combined this vibrant cherry colour with natural tones and a little black. This was to give the outdoor spaces a memorable identity.
What really stands out for you in this apartment?
One of the most unique aspects of this incredible penthouse apartment is the duplex roof terrace. It’s over 330 square metres! That’s a lot of decking. First thing we wanted to do was create some distinct zones to break up this space. And I’m excited to say that our zoning vision has really come together. To clarify, we divided the area into spaces for different times of the day and different uses. Firstly, the bar and sunset terrace is for evening cocktails. Secondly, there is a comfortable sitting space on the lower terrace to enjoy a morning coffee and read the papers. Finally, there is a private space off the master bedroom that is perfect for a siesta.
Further, the apartment boasts a private infinity pool on the rooftop where we have created comfortable areas to relax and sunbathe. With a local landscaper, we added planting to harmonise with the beautiful main gardens of Parc du Cap. This greenery helps screen and zone the outside space. It is really important with such a generous amount of terracing.
How can someone replicate the Parc du Cap style in their own home?
We love it when people copy our style. And this look is all about relaxed elegance. You could start by selecting natural materials and soft colours for a few key pieces. For example, try adding a thick sisal rug, some large-scale pottery pieces and a linen lampshade to an existing lamp base. Or choosing a textured wallpaper is another easy way to give an interior a natural contemporary feel.
Have confidence to try blending a combination of textures and finishes. This helps provide a luxurious yet comfortable interior feel. For example, mixing linens, cottons, lightweight wools, natural timbers and matt lacquer. In the Parc du Cap penthouse the windows have in-built shutters, so we have added long, linen sheer curtains to soften the space. This is a relatively simple way to add softness and luxury to an apartment. Luckily, it can easily be added to windows that may already have blinds.
About th2designs
th2designs is a top London interior design studio based out of London’s Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour. The company works on a vast collection of private homes, eye catching interiors for some of London’s biggest landowners, and memorable show spaces for developers. The skilled team prioritises both quality and value in every project they work on, whatever the size. Alongside creative designers, th2designs is supported by an excellent logistics and purchasing team. The company prides itself on delivering each project on time, within budget, and beyond expectation, every time.
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