30 January 2015

Glamour in the Alps: Zermatt Designer Chalet

30 January 2015

Tunnelled into the rock and lit with torches, live out your own Bond film as you enter this one of a kind luxury chalet.

Julie Gauthier

1 December 2014

St. Moritz Designer Alpine Chalet

Julie Gauthier

1 December 2014

St Moritz Chalet 155 | Switzerland
Architect Renato Maurizio
Stylish Mountain Design
Panoramic View

This summer saw the metamorphosis of Chesetta St Moritz – with two parts of the ski chalet being joined via a fantastic glass walkway created by the renowned architect Renato Maurizio.

The double height annexe living area is the ultimate place to relax in the Etro sofas on the two levels. Space, light and great views sum up this transformation.

Located minutes from St Moritz in Silvaplana, Chesetta is a 5000ft² modern property with accommodation for 12 adults in 6 super king-sized bedrooms and a children’s bunk room. Every comfort has been included with underfloor heating, a Sonos music system, home cinema/playroom, steam room, sauna and gym.

Great attention to detail is evident throughout with ETRO fabrics, local antiques mixed with a collection of contemporary art against a backdrop of rich old wood and granite.

A great retreat for an extended family or group of friends. Chesetta St Moritz is rented fully staffed with chalet manager, acclaimed chef, chalet host and housekeeper.

View Alpine Chalets

Julie Gauthier

1 December 2014

New Seychelles Designer Villa: Praslin Private Beach Villa

Julie Gauthier

1 December 2014

Seychelles Villa 407 | Praslin
Main Villa & 2 Guest Villas
Discreet | Private Pools
Private Beach

Beachfront luxury private villas for rental in the Seychelles are extremely rare so when the owner of Villa Praslinproudly informed us of its completion, we were very excited to offer such a unique property to our clients.

Completed in 2014 the villa was conceived by the Indian Ocean Architecture practice Artema, known for their tropical elegance with a ‘French twist’. The designers have made the most of this beautiful beachfront plot and its lush tropical gardens, ensuring the property is immersed in nature. Space and light are important to its design as well as the use of natural materials throughout.

Nestled on the Anse Gouvernement beach in Praslin, Seychelles, this 5 bedroom villa (sleeping 10 adults and 2 children) is on an exclusive estate of 5300 m² opening up onto a private beach and the sea. The property consists of a main residence with 3 suites and infinity pool and 2 independent guest villas with their own private pool each.

Seychelles enjoys world renown for its flora and fauna, its turquoise sea and heavenly beaches. Among the hundreds of islands that form the archipelago “Praslin” is the most famous.

Villa Praslin is ideal for a group of friends, a family get together or a VIP stay. The villa is very private, in a unique location on a pristine and immaculate private beach. Fully staffed with a private chef, butler and all meals included, come and unwind and enjoy the bounty of authentic Seychelles in your own private home.

View Worldwide Villa Collection

Julie Gauthier

21 November 2014

Top 10 Winter Sun Designer Villas

Julie Gauthier

21 November 2014

As we settle into our new worldwide villa seasonal collection, we feature a selection of the Top 10 Winter Sun Designer Villas for rental. Located across the globe in Africa, Thailand, Mustique, Seychelles, Mexico, St Barts, Brazil, Turks & Caicos, Bali and Anguilla.

These winter sun luxury designer villas for rental are a taster of our collection. For further details, send us an email on [email protected].

South_Africa_309_Private_Reserve-(1).jpg

South Africa Reserve Lodge 309

Sleeps 6 + 3 | 4 Bedrooms | Private Pool
12,000 acre Private Estate | Observatory
Architects Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens
Guest lodges available for extra guests

Phuket Residence 801

Seychelles Villa 407 | Praslin

Mexico Villa 702 | Punta Mita

Sleeps 18 + ch | 9 Suites | Private Pool
Oceanfront location | Crowns dramatic cliff
Architects: Manolo Mestre, Juan Collignon & Karen Collignon | Mexican arts and crafts

Brazil Villa 601 | Búzios

Turks&Caicos 523| Providenciales

Sleeps 12 | 6 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Private Beach Access | 10-acre gardens
European, Asian & African Antiques
Mexican architect, Marco Aldaco

Bali Villa 803 | Cemagi

Mustique Villa 525 | South Hilltop

Sleeps 10 | 6 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Panoramic Caribbean views | Contemporary
Italian architect Paolo Piva | Media Room
Additional Guest Cottage available

St Barts Villa 511

Sleeps 10 + 4 | 6 Bedrooms | Beachfront
White-sand beach | Crystal-clear waters
Stunning ocean views | Private "mirror" pool
Architect Firm Olivier Dain Perspectives

Anguilla 601 | Black Garden Bay

Alpine Chalets

Worldwide Villas

European Villas

For further details on our collection of chalets and villas around the world, send us an email on [email protected].

Julie Gauthier

19 November 2014

Top 10 Designer Alpine Chalets

Julie Gauthier

19 November 2014

As we settle into our new winter seasonal collection, we feature the Top 10 Designer Alpine Chalets for rental this year across the Swiss and French Alps. Located in Switzerland are a selection of stylish chalets in Verbier, Zermatt, Davos Klosters and St Moritz. In the French Alps we feature stunning chalets in Courchevel 1850 and Val d'Isère.

These alpine private designer chalets for rental are a taster of our collection. For further details, send us an email on [email protected].

Zermatt Chalet 159 |Switzerland

Val d’Isère Chalet 149 | France

Courchevel Chalet 119 | France

Verbier Chalet 140 | Switzerland

Courchevel Chalet 126 | France

Zermatt Chalet 163 |Switzerland

Sleeps 10 adults + 2 | 5 Bedrooms
Chic & Stylish | French stone open fireplace
Expansive outdoor living area | Games room
Breathtaking scenic views | Home Cinema
Built on hillside in exclusive Petite Village

St Moritz Chalet 155|Switzerland

Sleeps 12 adults | 7 Bedrooms
Stylish Mountain Design | Panoramic View
Private Steamroom & Sauna | Home Cinema
Architect Renato Maurizio | Glass Walkway
Intimate drawing room with open fireplace

Verbier Chalet 146 | Switzerland

Courchevel Chalet 122 | France

Sleeps 8 + 5 | 5 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Alpine Chic | Panoramic views of the Valley
Top London Interior Designer | Ski in ski out
Private Gym, Jacuzzi, Hammam & Sauna
Chauffeured 4x4 Caravelle facility

Davos Klosters 103 |Switzerland

ALPINE CHALETS

Worldwide Villas

European Villas

For further details on our collection of chalets and villas around the world, send us an email on [email protected].

Julie Gauthier

3 March 2014

In Conversation with the Founder, Julie Gauthier

Julie Gauthier

3 March 2014

Julie Gauthier
Founder & Director, Art de Vivre

[email protected]

With over 20 years experience in luxury property rentals, Julie founded Art de Vivre as the ultimate in bespoke designer villa and chalet rental consultation for her discerning clients looking for the most beautiful properties to rent in the world.

Tell me about your early life…

From an early age in rural Buckinghamshire, I was surrounded by art and travel, aspiring to be an architect like my award winning father. My mother was an artist and music teacher, and I had two older brothers. We lived in a modernist house built by my father in a fruit orchard with floor to ceiling windows, an open plan kitchen and Scandinavian furniture. We spent summer weekends in the Chilterns or at our seaside home in Pembrokeshire and in the winter visiting Oxford and London galleries or attending concerts.

Where did your love of Travel and Art & Design come from?

Due to my parents' passion for creativity, art & design has always been around me. Holidays were always a big adventure either at our coastal home in Pembrokeshire, also built by my father, or travelling to Florence, Venice and Paris by train. I’ve always loved history and fashion and also had a natural gift for languages so after a three week trip to the Far East at the age of 17, I was going to study Japanese at Cambridge University. Instead I went on to study German and French at University of London, immersing myself in german life for five months. On graduating after a short spell as a ski guide in the Alps, I met my husband and worked around the world in Luxembourg, Hong Kong, South Africa, Cyprus and Mauritius. My love for art & design as well as worldwide travel has been dominant throughout my life.

How did you come up with the concept of Art de Vivre?

For the past 20 years, through Villas de Maitre Ltd, we have been matching our clients with exclusive homes in the Indian Ocean, primarily Mauritius and Seychelles. Some of our VIP agents were impressed with our new designer villas and service, therefore asked for more elsewhere. This was the catalyst to create a designer collection using our contacts, expertise and love of art and design. We are not a listings site but aim to highlight, inspire and show off the best architecture and interior design. The properties are mostly whisper properties aka off market. Discretion is key to our owners and our discerning clients.

Tell us more about the Seasonal Collections…

We are so excited to launch Seasonal Collections where we take inspiration from a seasonal fashion collection, to bring a curated group of beautiful properties based around a visual, narrative or conceptual theme. We will be launching a new set of collections for Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer every year. These collections are intended to inspire our clients and keep Art de Vivre fresh and alive.

What is key to Art de Vivre’s success?

- Our passion, experience and knowledge of designer villas & chalets for rental

- Our bespoke consultancy approach to finding the perfect property for our clients' needs

- Our unique portfolio of architect-designed properties for rental

- The premium level of the villas and chalets with the outstanding experiences they provide

- Our close relationship with the owners

- Our network of loyal clients, agents and partners

After operating for over 20 years, what has been the secret of your success so far?

We are proud of our company’s journey with the evolution of the internet as our first villa rental company was one of the first pioneers of internet marketing. We have also always seeked out high-end properties that are fresh and interesting to us, helping us to adapt to our changing aspirations and markets. We realised the importance early on of word of mouth and social media for a niche company which let us reach an audience that is as enthusiastic as we are about our outstanding properties. We have also been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time with loyal clients, stunning properties and excellent partners.

What are your core values?

- Honesty, integrity and respect

- Creativity, flexibility and proactivity

- Pleasure of providing an excellent service

- Long term relationship building with clients, agents and owners

What are you up to outside your work?

I am lucky to have four beautiful children (one girl and three boys) which have always kept me busy outside working and travelling. Weekends are spent out in the fresh air of the Chiltern Hills where possible and winters visiting museums and galleries, rekindling my baking skills or reading by the log fire. My parents, still alive in their mid 80s, continue to give me enormous encouragement.

Where do you see Art de Vivre going in the Future?

Art de Vivre has exciting plans for the future; we have launched a few seasonal property collections, there are some beautiful new properties in the pipeline, as well as some original creative content for our blog. Each of the properties for rental has a unique art & design edge to it which we find not celebrated enough in the industry and we really want to change that. We want to feed the curiosity of our art & design clients, so they can gain access to the inspiration behind the buildings, the interior design and the owners’ art collections. We are very excited by our journey so far, who knows where it will take us next...