Homes

It isn’t loud and flamboyant. Nor is it exclusively fortressed. Giorgio Armani’s stunning Saint Tropez getaway is a wonderland. We get an exclusive tour of the inspired space

SEP 29, 2020 | By Jeremy Callaghan
The private dining room showcases Dustin, director’s chair in afrormosia wood, an old wooden table from Milan and golden brass vases from the Armani/casa collection
The verandah, or winter garden, has a metal frame with a transparent glass enclosure. The green Armani/casa lantern, galeone, on a tray near the Traviata sofa adds a spot of colour
The dining area has a large rustic table and chairs with accessories from Place Des Lices market, Saint Tropez. a roof curtain diffuses the direct sunlight
The Provençal-style house is covered in Portuguese roof tiles. The façade in greige stone is characteristic of this region. The garden is planted with cyprus, eucalyptus and date palms

Giorgio Armani is a man of choice. He chooses what he likes and what he needs. He chose to buy a home in Saint Tropez after his sister, Rosanna, bought a house in the area back in 1996. The island lives up to its reputation as a party town in Summer, but in the colder seasons, it reverts to its true identity as a charming, Mediterranean seaside village.

Giorgio Armani

His house is not ostentatious. It has no views; neither does it gregariously announce itself with high walls and a defensive gate. It is a traditional Mediterranean house, with a beautiful garden, a place to simply relax. “It’s a place where I come to recharge my batteries.

Dark afrormosia wood ceiling characterises all of the rooms. The orange cushions on the floor are from an older collection of Armani/casa;

For me, staying in Saint Tropez is like a quiet break and very different from what I’m used to.” Textured walls and ceilings are one of Giorgio’s signatures. These two elements contribute to the overall look and feel, which evokes a Japanese- like simplicity.

 

There is a mix of vintage pieces, furniture from his Armani/ Casa line, crafts representing his favourite places and times, as well as works of art. The original house dates back to the late 19th Century; it has undergone several stages of renovations since. Giorgio likes the studio in the house, with its quiet strength, the black leather armchair, the comfortable desk and the Indian handicrafts.

A wall library lends a formal air to the main lounge

“The house and its interiors, even if they are typically Provençal, represent me fully,” said the designer as he talked about renovating the house himself. He has been known to hire superstar architects to design projects — Peter Marino and Massimiliano Fuksas have both collaborated in the past, but Giorgio worked on this one himself. “I like to do my own things. I don’t have anything against architects,” he says, “But if you can design yourself, it’s better.”

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A small sundeck on the upper floor of the home features furniture from the Armani/casa collection