Dimore Studio brings Mediterranean modernism to Saint-Tropez apartment

Milan-based Dimore Studio took cues from Gio Ponti and the Bauhaus in this apartment renovation inside the Latitude 43 building in the French Riviera.

Étage 5 is located on the fifth floor of the huge 1930s building in Saint-Tropez, designed by French architect Georges-Henri Pingusson to look like an ocean liner.

Dimore Studio designers Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran redesigned the apartment in tribute to both the building's modernist heritage and its nautical aesthetic.

"The brief called for a sophisticated, timeless home, deeply rooted in the modernist and nautical spirit of the original architecture," the Dimore Studio duo told Dezeen.

"Our challenge was to blend these historic elements with a contemporary, functional living space while maintaining a deep connection to the design traditions of the Mediterranean," the designers added.

Originally a hotel, Latitude 43 was converted into condominiums after the second world war.

Dimore Studio's renovation involved a reworked layout for the 120-square-metre apartment, along with new material finishes and custom in-built furniture.

The designers cite Ponti's Hotel Parco dei Principi as a key reference, with details including stripy red and pink Vietri tiles and a sofa upholstered in a geometric pattern fabric.

These provide focal points in a palette that also features red-hued wood, a mix of brushed and polished bronze and steel, and shades of deep indigo and soft mint green.

The Bauhaus influence led the designers to incorporate furniture by architect Marcel Breuer, as well as pieces by other 20th-century European architects and designers, including  Le Corbusier, Gabriella Crespi, Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Eileen Gray and Romeo Rega.

They paired these with some of their own pieces, including a custom square dining table, a U-shaped banquette topped with red cushions and the floral-printed silk pendant lamp suspended overhead.

"The living room, with its mix of design icons and personal touches, captures the essence of the home's storytelling approach," said Salci.

"One of my favourite moments is the harmony created between the Mediterranean-inspired colours and the design details," added Moran. "The coral-red Vietri tiles and the soft-blue walls create an intimate yet fresh atmosphere."

Bespoke cabinets play an important role in defining different spaces. In the hallway, they emphasise the linearity of the strip windows and ink-blue floor tiles.

Teal-coloured cabinets frame the kitchen, while the living room features a glossy blue sideboard and wooden wall cabinet with matching circular recess handles.

To complete the design, the designers added decorative objects such as ceramics from design brand Bitossi and figurative artworks.

"The mood is sophisticated yet inviting, balancing modernist rigour with Mediterranean warmth," added Salci and  Moran.

"The space feels timeless, with an underlying sense of calm and elegance. It's an interior that invites one to both relax and reflect, with a narrative woven through the furnishings, colours and materials."

Étage 5 is one of several recent projects unveiled by the Dimore Studio duo, who combine their design practice with furniture label Dimore Milano and design gallery Dimore Gallery.

The duo presented four interiors during Milan design week, including a renovation of Osanna Visconti's atelier, a movie-inspired installation for Loro Piana and the office-inspired Work It exhibition.

The studio also recently unveiled its interior for luxury train La Dolce Vita Orient Express.

The photography is by Andrea Ferrari.

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