Private Villa on the Corniche Kennedy

Renovation of a large family home, where the original seventies spirit enters into dialogue with a mesmerizing view over the Mediterranean Sea.

Through a play of light, materials and nature, the initial intention was to preserve the soul of the place while infusing it with our own signature.

This shipowner’s villa, built in the 1930s and perched above the sea with a 180-degree panoramic view, was extended in the 1970s by architect Matoulin. Highly robust, constructed in reinforced concrete—typical of the period due to its seafront location—it retains a strong architectural presence.

We introduced large bay windows, reconfigured certain passages, preserved the red Alicante marble doors, and enhanced existing materials such as quartz, marble and pink travertine, combined with wood. The result evokes the spirit of a revisited Californian villa.

Solar and singular, this home is conceived as a place for gathering and sharing—an eden in the heart of Marseille.

The garden, composed of terraced levels, and the swimming pool carved into the rock create an oasis surrounded by Mediterranean plants, set apart from the city’s bustle.

The large pine tree in front of the terrace feels like a living painting. Between sea and vegetation, the exterior becomes a constantly evolving, living artwork throughout the year, as the owner describes.

To allow the surrounding flora to merge seamlessly with the house, we envisioned a neutral interior shell, enriched with subtle details. The common thread is materiality.

We favoured warm materials such as wood and natural fibres, combined with a multitude of details that integrate harmoniously within this seventies envelope.

Our appreciation for textures and crafted textiles unfolds across the villa’s three levels. The decoration is punctuated by bold elements, eclectic artworks and personal favourites.

Vintage pieces engage in dialogue with creations by contemporary designers and artists close to Dorothée, including Carlès & Demarquet, Yasmin Bawa, Léa Zeroil and Rémi Bracquemond.

Our own creations also come to life within this interior, such as the Sabbia rug, developed in collaboration with Toulemonde Bochart, illustrating a dreamlike universe of animals in the sand.

Our self-produced furniture celebrates craftsmanship and its signature materials: glazed ceramics, lava stone and precious woods.

Notably featured in the house are the Santa Ana coffee table in bronze and glass paste, as well as the Meltem outdoor collection, inspired by the seaside universe so dear to Dorothée, with pieces exclusively available through The Invisible Collection.

This blend of vibrant materials and Mediterranean inspirations transforms this urban retreat—open to its surroundings—into a space that is both serene and deeply expressive.