Interior architect Dorothée Delaye has mastered the art of effortless chic design in her stunning 1930s Mediterranean home in Marseille, France. The six-bedroom seafront residence, originally built as a shipowner's mansion, demonstrates that achieving sophisticated yet relaxed interiors often requires doing less rather than more. Delaye, who splits her time between Paris and Marseille, has transformed this cliffside property into a perfect example of natural elegance.
The house itself was already a treasure before Delaye began her renovation work. Perched atop a cliff along the famous Corniche Kennedy, the property features terraced gardens, a pool carved into the rocky terrain, and a private staircase leading directly to the beach below. "What immediately captivated me was its exceptional location at the top of the Corniche Kennedy, in an area where lush nature blends harmoniously with the sea," Delaye explains. "I've always been drawn to elevated port cities like Lisbon, Istanbul, and Rio."
When Delaye purchased the property, it had been expanded in the 1970s by a local architect and partially restored in the early 2000s. However, the results weren't entirely satisfactory. "Some material choices didn't respect its original character," she notes about the building's condition when she bought it. "My idea was to create a home where everything seems to have always been in its place, and above all, to avoid disturbing the original architecture."
Delaye's renovation approach focused on reviving the building's soul by reintroducing materials that reflected the era in which it was built. She renovated the entire house, created a library, opened up spaces, and replaced numerous materials. Her goal was to establish a harmonious, natural, bright, and timeless atmosphere throughout the home.
To achieve this vision, Delaye selected noble materials including pink marble from Alicante, beige and pink travertine, terracotta tiles from Salernes, carved wood, Roman plaster, polished concrete, and artisanal ceramics. These choices were made to "pay homage to the 1970s elements and create a dialogue with the surrounding landscape." Her color palette of beige, terracotta, dusty rose, and weathered whites reflects the tones of the Mediterranean countryside.
"The objective was to create a harmonious transition between interior and exterior, echoing natural elements: the sea, rocks, sand, and vegetation," Delaye explains. This seamless integration with the environment is crucial in the Mediterranean climate where outdoor living is essential.
Every piece of furniture in the house was chosen for its ability to tell a story without overwhelming the space. Delaye sought pieces with "warm, eclectic, often artisanal" character, mixing contemporary pieces with vintage objects and items inspired by Mediterranean craftsmanship. Several of her own creations are featured throughout the home, including a custom curved sofa covered in cream bouclé fabric from Pierre Frey, paired with a richly sculpted Sabbia rug from her collaboration with French carpet manufacturer Toulemonde Bochart.
To add character and depth, Delaye incorporated subtle touches of texture and color that catch the eye without being overpowering. These include sofa cushions in Yaruba fabric from Nobilis with irregular diamond patterns inspired by ceramics, a vintage seahorse sculpture by Belgian manufacturer Perignem Art Ceramics, and a four-legged console by Berlin designer Yasmin Bawa made from hemp and lime. The sculpted details on the living room shelves and wooden kitchen island add unique touches, as does the tinted Roman plaster covering the kitchen cabinet walls.
Only a few bright color accents punctuate the overall design, making them all the more spectacular for their rarity. A vintage emerald green Le Corbusier chair serves as a particularly memorable focal point. "The entire project is rooted in respect for the space and its history, with a very personal selection of objects, artworks, and materials," the architect concludes. "It's like a living painting that changes with the hours and seasons."
Delaye shares five key principles for achieving effortless chic decoration. First, respect the original architecture by never trying to impose a style but instead listening to what the space wants to communicate. Second, use natural materials that age well, bring warmth, and combine easily. Third, play with light using openings, curtains, and materials to create soft, natural effects. Fourth, decorate in your own way by choosing objects with history or presence rather than overloading the decoration. Finally, create continuity between interior and exterior to design a fluid ensemble, particularly important in warm climates where life happens outdoors.
