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Hotel of the Moment: 11 Chic Design Ideas to Steal from Lilou in France

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Ideas to Steal Issue 32 — Paris 2024

Hotel of the Moment: 11 Chic Design Ideas to Steal from Lilou in France

Annie Quigley August 7, 2024

Each summer, it seems, a new hotel captures our attention—and the design spirit of the season. This year, it’s Hotel Lilou.

Located in Hyères, France, near the Mediterranean sea—about midway between Marseille and Saint-Tropez—the just-opened 37-room hotel is the work of Studio Haddou / Dufourcq and is filled at every turn with ideas we all want to adopt at home. Have a look:

Photography as noted, courtesy of Lilou.

1. Paint with an unlikely palette.

the hotel, with an exterior in shades of peach and pale blue, is a local herita 17 — Above: The hotel, with an exterior in shades of peach and pale blue, is a local heritage site. Lilou takes the place of the Hôtel des Etrangers, then renamed the Hôtel du Parc, which dated to 1890. When the site went up for sale in 2020, entrepreneur David Pirone bought it; the renovation took three years. Photograph by Stephanie Davilma.

&#8\2\20;the story behind hotel lilou begins with an encounter,&#8\2\2\ 18 — Above: “The story behind Hotel Lilou begins with an encounter,” according to the hotel, when David Pirone met architects Kim Haddou and Florent Dufourcq—graduates of France’s renowned Ecole Camondo—by chance. Here, the hotel’s stately entry in the center of Hyères.. Photograph by Stephanie Davilma.

2. Bring back burl wood.

burl wood is having a moment, including in hotel lilou&#8\2\17;s bar. & 19 — Above: Burl wood is having a moment, including in Hotel Lilou’s bar. “The lounge and bar is designed as a remix of the winter gardens of the great 19th-century hotels,” according to the hotel, with a lattice-esque ceiling and “dapper” varnished bull poplar bar. Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

3. Trellises aren’t just for the garden.

in the lounge and restaurant areas, the walls have a winter garden feel, with w 20 — Above: In the lounge and restaurant areas, the walls have a winter garden feel, with white trellis walls and dividers.” Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

latticework also serves as a frame for a few particularly sque moments. photog 21 — Above: Latticework also serves as a frame for a few particularly picturesque moments. Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

4. Consider the light of the moment.

a tiered suspension light hangs above a common area (read more about it in high 22 — Above: A tiered suspension light hangs above a common area (read more about it in High/Low: Modern Tiered Suspension Pendant Light). The rattan sofas are re-editions Gabriela Crespi designs. Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

5. Choose one impactful color and stick with it.

a recurring theme at hotel lilou: one color—terra cotta—used judi 23 — Above: A recurring theme at Hotel Lilou: one color—terra cotta—used judiciously and impactfully amidst an otherwise neutral palette. Here, Entrepreneur David Pirone (center) and the architects Florent Dufourcq and Kim Haddou lounge at Hotel Lilou’s bar. Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

6. Don’t discount glass blocks.

another material from a bygone era that makes a chic comeback at lilou? glass b 24 — Above: Another material from a bygone era that makes a chic comeback at Lilou? Glass blocks as (statement-making) divider. Photograph by Stephanie Davilma.

7. Hand-write!

guests are guided to their rooms by charmingly handwritten signs. (see more of 25 — Above: Guests are guided to their rooms by charmingly handwritten signs. (See more of the trend: The Art of the Handwritten Note). Photograph by Stephanie Davilma

8. Rattan is always a good idea.

rattan—like this atelier vime esque vessel—adds to the winter gar 26 — Above: Rattan—like this Atelier Vime-esque vessel—adds to the winter garden feel. Photograph by Stephanie Davilma.

9. Break the mold(ing).

in the chambre mauresque, twin scalloped moldings frame a dramatic view of the 27 — Above: In the Chambre Mauresque, twin scalloped moldings frame a dramatic view of the bed. Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

and chunky molding adds a retro touch in the chambre moulure. travelers take no 28 — Above: And chunky molding adds a retro touch in the Chambre Moulure. Travelers take note: “The hotel has made a conscious decision to not have televisions,” they write. “Here, it is time to switch off, to chat, to meet, and catch up with each other.” Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

10. Mix textures, not colors.

the chambre treillage. though the palette here is kept neutral, fringe, burl wo 29 — Above: The Chambre Treillage. Though the palette here is kept neutral, fringe, burl wood, ceramic, and lattice work add intriguing and keep the eye moving. Of particular note: the eco-friendly cork parquet floors. Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

11. Tile the whole bath.

two trends we&#8\2\17;re noting? a fully tiled bath—walls, ceiling, 30 — Above: Two trends we’re noting? A fully tiled bath—walls, ceiling, and floors included. And buttery yellow. Lilou lands them both. Photograph by Ludovic Balay.

outdoors, plenty of lounge spots and landscape design by damien roger. photogra 31 — Above: Outdoors, plenty of lounge spots and landscape design by Damien Roger. Photograph by Stephanie Davilma.

poolside. the frescoes are by french artist jacques merle. photograph by stepha 32 — Above: Poolside. The frescoes are by French artist Jacques Merle. Photograph by Stephanie Davilma.

For more info and to book, head to Hotel Lilou.

And for more places to stay on your next trip to France:

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