Share
In his design for a bistro in Hyères, Jean-François Parodi offers a dynamic space using colour and innovative materials. Thus delicate marble is replaced by the latest-generation stoneware produced by Marazzi
A vacation in Hyères – a famous seaside resort located around twenty kilometres from Toulon – is an unforgettable experience of one of Provence’s many facets.
Strolling through its picturesque streets, you discover an atmosphere that is simultaneously retro and contemporary. Swimming in the small bays beside the crystalline sea and exploring the unspoiled nature of its famous archipelago – of which Porquerolles is the best-known island – is a captivating experience accompanied by chirping cicadas and sparkling waves.
The poetry of Hyères is also reflected in its outstanding local cuisine, which is very popular among international tourists. Bouillabaisse, anchoïade, tapenade and ratatouille are some of the most famous dishes that can be enjoyed in the small cafés and restaurants on the seafront, which respect the resort’s authenticity and Mediterranean character.
The recent design of La Brasserie des Îles has a dynamic look that differs from more traditional spaces in its use of bright colours and playful combination of different materials. “I like to give every place I create a personal touch,” comments the designer, architect Jean-François Parodi of the SA&RO firm. Flooded with natural light from the large skylights and windows running along two sides of the perimeter, the brasserie has a dining area consisting of a long row of small tables, plus a larger table designed to seat ten or so diners.
Marble historically used in bistros for table tops is replaced here by very large 12 mm-thick slabs of colorbody fine porcelain stoneware from The Top Marble Look Capraia collection, the result of Marazzi’s precise digital technology, which combines an incredible likeness to the natural material with inimitable durability and ease of maintenance. The glossy finish accentuates the elegance of the veining of the Grande Marble Look Capraia stoneware replicated on the wall of the wine cellar. The same Grande collection accompanies the conversation area in the intense dark Marble Look Saint Laurent variant (120×240 cm) – also used for the covering of the bar counter – and is conceived by the designer here as a striking backdrop to accentuate the acid yellow and cobalt blue of the brightly coloured seats.
Photo credits: Alexandre Scarciglia
