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Tour a Dreamy Family Escape High Above Cannes

With a rare 360-degree view of Cannes and the Lérins Islands, this family residence is full of natural light and a color palette inspired by the Mediterranean below. Designed by young interior architect design duo Humbert & Poyet, the house is the perfect expression of indoor-outdoor living. Founded by Monacan Christophe Poyet and Parisian Emil Humbert in 2007, the creative studio has been putting the finishing touches on projects from Monaco to Hong Kong, Dubai, London, and Mexico City, to name a few.

When Humbert and Poyet signed on to the project, the residence was merely a concrete shell. The owners, who began the projects several years prior, had decided to halt construction for a period of time. "We received a modern, open to nature, raw structure, and we had to finish everything," recalls Poyet. "All the flooring, the windows, the surfaces—everything." The owners, whose primary residence is in Paris, wanted the property to express the glamour of the Cote d’Azur: "something sophisticated, connected to nature, and a design where the inside and outside communicate," explains Humbert.

In the ground-floor kitchen, the stools are from the Utility Collection of Stellar Works and the ceiling light is custom Humbert & Poyet. Rosewood cupboards, custom-designed marble floors, and a collection of ceramic vessels.
An extension of the main living room area with a dining table by Living Divani and chairs by Meridiani. The cushions are Jim Thompson Belize fabric.

The house—whose 13,000 square feet, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms, are connected by a four-story central staircase—was designed to offer its occupants stunning views through every window. "The staircase is the spine of the house, and we decided to create this colorful link, this gesture, to connect all of the floors," notes Humbert of the architectural feature, pointing out that they chose to incorporate three shades of blue on its walls.

The designers, given carte blanche for the interiors since the owners didn't plan to bring many of their previously procured items, sourced and designed everything. "It’s an eclectic mix of objects—vintage, modern, [some pieces] designed by us," says Humbert. "This is what we like to do all the time." Also characteristic of their work is the attention to precise details and the use of textured materials like marble, brass, wood, and caning. The bold designs on the floors, bright colors, and sleek bathrooms are all Humbert & Poyet signatures.

In the living room is a Grand Theodore sofa and armchairs custom designed by the duo. Coffee table by Gallotti & Radice and art by French artist Ludovic Philippon. Other objects include vintage ceramics and lamps by Michel Boyer and Parachilna. The floors are Lazza marble.

Asked about his favorite area in the home, Humbert doesn't hesitate: the kitchen. "It is really open on three walls, to nature and to the living area. I love this room because we have a beautiful patterned floor and this is the one [place] to gather with your friends and entertain." Poyet, meanwhile, is partial to an intimate lounge area, which connects two guest rooms and a small office. "It is a little living room on the first floor with this amazing view of Old Cannes," he explains. "To read, to have a drink—a really cozy corner."

For a project that took a little over a year—in addition to designing the homeowners' office in Paris at the same time—both designers say they are delighted with the outcome. "Color is a part of our DNA; we love to mix colors, natural stone, textiles, and fabrics," Humbert notes, summing up his and Poyet's trademark aesthetic, before adding with a laugh, "We also like flamboyant!"

Tour a Dreamy Family Escape High Above Cannes

The main living area of a villa sited above Cannes and designed by Christophe Poyet and Emil Humbert of firm Humbert & Poyet opens onto the vast terrace and pool. Inside are chairs by Pierre Jeanneret from the Jacques Dworczak Collection, wooden coffee tables from Roche Bobois, a side table from Casalto and Nero Marquina marble on floors. In the background is the dining area with a Humbert & Poyet–designed table, a pendant light and chairs from Moroso, and linen curtains.
In the ground-floor kitchen, the stools are from the Utility Collection of Stellar Works and the ceiling light is custom Humbert & Poyet. Rosewood cupboards, custom-designed marble floors, and a collection of ceramic vessels.
An extension of the main living room area with a dining table by Living Divani and chairs by Meridiani. The cushions are Jim Thompson Belize fabric.
The room with one of the best views in the house. Sofa by Humbert & Poyet and a mix of vintage items with a floor lamp from Bert Frank and Minotti Noor and De Castelli Band side tables.
In the stairwell, custom notched rosewood paneling, mirror, sconces, and console table. The ceramic vases are by Floris Wubben. The exterior chair is from Baxter.
Rubelli Vasarelly fabric headboard, custom brass and fabric pendant light and oak and marble side table, Dedar fabric pillows, and Pierre Frey Rebonds fabric cushions. The coffee table is from Roche Bobois and the chairs are Pierre Jeanneret. The floors are whitened oak from the Atelier du Parquet.
Custom notched wood vanity in French blue with marble and brass and sinks. Taps in polished brass are Volevatch. Sconces and mirrors by Humbert & Poyet; the walls are onyx.
A cheerful guest bedroom with headboard by Humbert & Poyet in Dedar fabric. Bedcover is Osborne & Little;  vintage floor lamp; Arte wallpaper; cushions also in Dedar fabric.
Bathtub by Devon & Devon, Volevatch polished brass taps, Charlotte Perriand stools, and Nobilis curtains.
Carrara marble walls and Carrara terrazzo floors in the steam room.
Carrara marble walls and Carrara terrazzo floors in the steam room.
On the terrace, the sofa is from Andreu World, the coffee and side tables by Il Giardino di Legno. The chairs and sunbeds are Meridiani with Nobilis Bondi fabric. Cushions are Jim Thompson Belize fabric, and the sun umbrellas are Paola Lenti.
Emil Humbert (left) and Christophe Poyet standing in front of the wall composed of wood panels in brass and three shades of blue—Marine, Azur, and French. The floor is Calacatta Sponda and Nero Marquina; the cupboards in the background are caning, stained oak, and bronze handles.
Emil Humbert (left) and Christophe Poyet standing in front of the wall composed of wood panels in brass and three shades of blue—Marine, Azur, and French. The floor is Calacatta Sponda and Nero Marquina; the cupboards in the background are caning, stained oak, and bronze handles.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest