Review of Maison & Objet Paris 2022
Maison & Objet is a Parisian trade show consisting of several exhibition halls, featuring manufacturers, suppliers, makers and artisans from around the world in showcasing their newest and best in decorative pieces, designer furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances and tableware; it is a feast of inspiration for interior designers.
Here are our findings and discoveries spotted during our time at Maison et Objet 2022.
Tribal Nordic Influences
New? Maybe not so much. Our overall impression was that Nordic influences are still very strong, but many of the brands are leaning now towards a more hand-crafted feel, using natural, sustainable and recycled materials, which in turn creates more of a tribal feel. With light colours, natural wood, rattan and cane work, strong yet minimal silhouettes and a soft-rustic styling many of the stands felt very beach-house meets Norweigen forest cabin. Think natural wooden framed furniture, with soft slumpy linens, and baskets everywhere! So, we are summing up with an overall title for the show “Tribal Nordic”.
Artisan Finds
As always, the things that charmed us most were the crafted goods with a story to tell and talking directly with the individual designers was a joy.
Yen Ting Cho
One of our favourite finds was a digital textile designer called Yen Ting Cho. Using his background in architecture, and passion for programming, Yen-Ting creates fabulous patterns that have no pattern repeat and feature colours taken from nature, politics, humanity and his home Taiwan.
His use of colour is wonderful and there is something captivating in his designs. His scarves are on our personal Christmas lists and his cushions will make their way into our interior design projects for sure.
Pascal Oudet
We found these incredible wooden vessels and decorations by Pascal Oudet. Using wood sliced so thinly it appeared lace-like, allowing the history and story of the tree to be shown in its craft these pieces made us gasp at the delicate beauty.
Created at Pascal’s workshop in the French Alps, from carefully sourced oak trees coming from Burgundy/Franche Comté they combine technical hand-crafted skill with nature in the most satisfying way.
Organic Ceramics
Some of our favourite finds were organically shaped ceramics inspired by nature with amazing textures. From vases with puffer fish textures to geometric silhouetted vessels with rustic plaster textures.
Colour trends
With today’s focus on sustainability and preserving what’s left of the natural world, the strongest colour trends and influences we observed were natural tones and neutral shades, but this is because there was a great emphasis on using natural materials over synthetic ones.
1000 Vases
Venturing out into Paris itself on the hunt for the elusive “1000 Vases” exhibition (getting lost and distracted on many beautiful side streets) and finding that sadly there were only 60 or so on display (a slight misrepresentation)!
Not a complete waste of effort, as we came with the intention of seeing the work of American potter, Kelsey Floyd, whom we had found via social media several months before and were thrilled to hear she was displaying her incredible work in Europe. Her wonderful chain-link vases are truly one of a kind and would enhance any contemporary interior. We absolutely love them, be it for our own homes, but also at the top of our list for a current project.
https://kelseyfloydpottery.com/
The exhibition featured many fabulous vases, not just ceramic, but also, leather, woven from fabrics, using different techniques, styles, shapes and colours. Here are a few more that caught our eye.
Hunting for treasures
Trade shows like Maison & Objet are vital for us to keep up to date with the latest trends, designs and find new makers and suppliers to use in our projects. We love nothing more than meeting the designers and makers behind these wonderful products, getting to know them and their backgrounds, find out the inspiration and stories behind the furniture/accessories/decor they are showcasing. It's these stories and thoughts that create wonderful items that become cherished keepsakes with our clients. From tables handmade locally, super soft throws made from pet alpacas, ceramics that have kept hands busy during lockdown isolation, vases blending glass, wood and resin from across Europe as a sign of a united craft network, to textiles with colours inspired from a native hometown on a distant shore, we always hunt out those special pieces to give our your home a truly personal feel.
If you would like to discuss how we can help you source items with a story to tell, and give a warm sense of personality to your home refurbishment, book a consultation with us today; we would love to get involved and help tell your own story.
RIP Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Sadly whilst we were visiting Paris, we heard the heartbreaking news that our wonderful Monarch had passed away. Our plans to post updates whilst at the show were delayed, as it seemed inappropriate to be focussed on anything else during such a sad and historic moment.
RIP Queen Elizabeth II, we thank you for all you have done and, in particular, the incredible example you set of strength and grace for women worldwide.
Image: Dorothy Wilding/Royal Collection Trust/Twitter