Monday, January 9, 2012

From Place To Space: Marseille


With every new Monday I am more than happy to take you on a new, little voyage within my blog series 'From Place To Space'. Many of you have realized by now that France is one of my favorite countries to visit. So this time I've decided to take you to the Mediterranean metropolis Marseille in the country's south. 

This was a real last minute trip a few years ago. A friend and I decided on a Friday we need a little inspiring break over the weekend. So we packed our suitcases and went off to the airport on Saturday morning. We approached one of the travel agencies at the airport and had a little talk to the travel agent, flipped through a few city names on his screen and picked Marseille due to the best departure and return times. A few hours later we arrived on the shores of the Mediterranean. During the trip we booked a hotel via our phones and here we were: without a travel guide, without any special plans or ideas. And it was perfect. It was an ideal combination of relaxing and discovering a new city with all its charms. We took one of the open-top city tour buses and visited the main sights like the Vieux Port (Old Port) where we enjoyed a glass of the local Pastis (an anise liquor), the local fish market, the famous Notre-Dame de la Garde cathedral on a hill top. We set off to the close by island Ile d'If and visited the famous Chateau d'If with its prison. That's where Alexandre Dumas set the scenery for his novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.


To take you from place to space I researched the web for some inspiring interiors in Marseille, too. And I found two amazing examples. This 1950s inspired Marseille home of Emma François bursts with mid-century vintage finds and a typical 50s colour range. The big round hole in the living room connects the home with its porch and adds to the mid-century look and feel. 


The second interior is a light flooded home designed by Marseille based interior designer Maurice Padovani. It combines a rustic and modern feeling with natural hues and materials and many open spaces that let the unique Mediterranean light into this stylish home. I am drawn to this home with its interesting vibe set alive with vintage furniture combined with design classics such as the Eames chairs or the stunning Zettel'z chandelier by Ingo Maurer. 

Have you enjoyed this week's little trip? Hope to see you next Monday again!

Photography: Emma François home via Interior Design Files; Rustic and Modern Home via Maurice Padovani; all other pics by Igor Josifovic.  

16 comments :

  1. Two really great homes there Igor. Could happily live in either! You were brave just taking off like that with no real destination planned. Don't think I could do that. Sounded like a fab trip though.

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  2. I never had the chance to visit Marseille when I was last in France but it is definately at the top of my list now - it looks like my favourite kind of coastal town. And I wouldn't mind staying in those interiors either!

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  3. can't say i can choose between the two- both really great- similar color stories yet different emphasis- maybe i need to go to Marseille to really decide, hehe :-)

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  4. goodness, I love everything in both of those houses! That staircase is stunning and so unusual.

    Annie

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  5. That is the way people should live Igor... I wish we could and did more things like this..

    Loving also the fisherman (well not hime) he is selling the eye of Sant lucia, some beautiful little shell we used to search for on the beaches in Sardinia with the kids;)
    Happy monday you!
    desiree

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  6. Hi there - I like your blog and am your newest Follower! :-)

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  7. Looks like a lovely place. I need to explore France much more than I have. I know I will love it!

    The homes you show here are really beautiful - you sure know how to find lovely looking homes, Igor.

    I´m glad I could make YOU happy for a change today:) Nice to hear that you appreciate the post about you guys. You deserve all the publicity you can get :)

    Have a delightful and most of all HAPPY week, Igor.

    Hugs from Norway
    Nina x

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  8. This post makes me want to book my holiday! Love it! I've never been to Marseilles, and I have to say it looks stunning!

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  9. Two things: 1) I would like to visit here after your wonderful round up. 2) I'd also like that sailor's outfit, please! So fun and nautical! :)

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  10. Hi, I´ve just meet your blog thanks to STYLIZIMO BLOG, and I like it too much. This houses in Marseille are beautiful, I like second one more because of the natural and relaxing atmosphere, and the contrast between white walls and wood.

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  11. Ummmm why don't you call me on a Friday night and we can jet off to some beautiful European country in the AM? I need more of this in my life. :)
    Love that you travel frequently Sir
    xo Meagan

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  12. I love spur of the moment trips like that! Your photos never disappoint, How cute is that frenchman! Both interiors are stunning. I would be happy to live there. Love this series Igor!

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  13. How inspiring is this!?! Makes me realize I need to be more spontaneous and pack my bag for a weekend trip more often that I do now. I especially like that you posted about Marseille - being a bit of a Francophile myself. Great interior finds too! I love the second one a LOT - except the stairs make me feel a bit dizzy ;) Best wishes Igor!

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  14. Both homes are amazing, I wouldn't mind living in either of them! Now I just have to brush up on my french ;)

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  15. Love this feature! Always brings out the biggest travel bug in me. Mid-century modern are one of my favorite periods. The home and the furniture in them are to DIE for!

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  16. I was born in Marseille and grew-up there! Now living in New York, I am happy to see that some people are falling in love with what I call "my city". If any of you ever go (or go back, for you Igor), I'll be happy to guide you virtually.
    Happy tripping!

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