It’s not yet peak holiday season but the weather has other ideas. And while sweltering in London is neither chic nor enjoyable, you can at least bring some of that summer holiday style to proceedings. A good place to start for inspiration is the South of France, location for the next season of The White Lotus, with filming now under way. Hotel Martinez in Cannes and Saint-Tropez’s Airelles Château de la Messardière are key locations featured in season four and they encapsulate the spirit of the Côte d’Azur.
A haven of sun-faded stripes, playful colour, sculptural rattan and effortless glamour, what is not to love about this design lover’s destination? The good news is you do not need a villa in Cannes to capture the look. Pour yourself a chilled glass of rosé and follow our guide to bringing Riviera style into your home.
Embrace French Riviera stripes
No motif is more synonymous with the South of France than the stripe; from the candy-coloured parasols of Nice to the awnings that line the cafés of Antibes.
This season, H&M Home has embraced the trend with a collection of cushions and textiles that feel lifted directly from a beach club on Cap Ferrat. Its Côte d’Azur striped cushion cover (£6.99) with the Soleil throw (£17.99) offers an easy way to layer texture across a sofa or bed.
H&M Côte d’Azur striped cushion cover
H&M
For those willing to make a bolder statement, Studio Atkinson’s Alvaro Picardo Zig Zag lampshade (£475) transforms the classic stripe into something more playful. The graphic pattern recalls the exuberance of Riviera beach tents while bringing an artistic twist.
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Raj Tent Club Palm Springs daybed, in yellow stripes
Eagle PR
Mediterranean tablescapes for alresco dining
If there is one space where Riviera style truly comes alive, it is around the dining table. M&S Home’s Coastal Icon collection taps beautifully into the mood of relaxed entertaining. The cereal bowls (£14 for a set of four) and melamine fish picnic platter (£12) would look fabulous for serving olives, grilled seafood and market salads. Paired with the Coastal embroidered napkins (£14), they create an easy-going summer tablescape.
M&S Home’s Coastal Icon collection
M&S
For a more elevated approach, Late Afternoon’s large blue platter (£96, lateafternoon.co.uk) has the rich cobalt tones often seen throughout Mediterranean ceramics. Nic Britten’s Lido tablecloth would make for a great backdrop (from £155) while La Double J’s Lotus of Life Disk coasters add a touch of glamour (£80 for a set of four). Combine different textures and embrace imperfections. The most memorable tables often feel as though they have evolved over many summers.
Use sun-washed colour and natural materials
The Riviera palette is never overly saturated. Instead, think of colours softened by decades of Mediterranean sunshine: blush pinks, pale greens, terracotta reds and faded blues. Natural materials play a vital role in creating the Riviera aesthetic. Wicker, rattan and woven textiles help blur the boundaries between indoors and out.
Oliver Bonas bedside table
Oliver Bonas
Stone is equally important. Ca’ Pietra’s Versailles Marble Rouge (from £144 per sq m), with its rich pink and terracotta tones, feels particularly evocative of the South of France. It introduces depth while referencing the region’s sun-baked landscape.
Shop for brocante treasures
Of course, the best way to bring a slice of Riviera magic home is to visit one of its many brocantes and hunt down some antique treasures. Don’t go with a very specific shopping list, advises Jo McPherson of vintage and antiques homeware store Soap and Salvation. “If you are determined to find one particular item, you will spend the whole day looking for it, probably won’t find it, and you will miss all the other beautiful pieces along the way. Instead, let your instinct guide you and trust it.”
Annalise Holasz of curated vintage art platform Hue agrees. “Things move quickly at these markets, and the best pieces rarely hang around. Go early, take cash, and have a plan.” That said, both agree that once a piece has caught your eye, you should take the time to consider it properly, check the quality, condition and whether or not it is original. “Talk to the vendor and ask what they know about its history,” says McPherson.
Holasz adds: “Dirt can be cleaned, frames can be replaced, silver can be polished and upholstery can be redone. Small chips or signs of age rarely put me off. But major cracks, structural damage or anything that feels too fragile, I would probably pass on.”
Don’t be afraid to haggle, but have an idea of what you are prepared to pay before you start. “And remember to factor in the costs beyond the purchase price,” says McPherson. “Transport, restoration, rewiring or upholstery can all add up quickly.”