Maison et Objet is an enormous design trade show, covering furniture, lighting and accessories in huge halls, with mysterious names like ‘Forever’ and ‘Unique & Eclectic’.
We took a high-speed research trip to look for trends, suppliers & inspiration. We found:
Natural, tactile materials & earth tones
We were drawn to stroke several of the exhibits (not exhibitors!).
Stands were painted in warm earthy tones ranging from plaster-pink to dark sandy orange… inspiring us to create a ‘desert tones’ colour palette.
Natural & tactile materials were in evidence everywhere – the look isn’t ‘rustic’ though – an emphasis on craftsmanship and slim structural details (slim legs, brackets) keeps the look elegant.
Top row: Tactile wooden furniture by (L-R) Ethnicraft / Artisan / XVL Above: Stone lighting by Carpyen. Right: solid surface bathroom fittings by ex.t & Antonio Lupi mimic the feel of carved stone.
We expect to see manufacturers and suppliers striving to become less environmentally impactful as consumer demands change – certainly, those who’d considered the environment in the design of their products were speaking up about it. Within the next 5 years, we predict a huge change in consumer markets, with many paying more for or insisting on economical/ low impact FF&E, and considering the life cycle of their projects.
Maximalist, Eclectic and Antique
In contrast, extraordinary maximalist lighting, furniture and accessories in bold colours and metallic finishes were also everywhere. Much of this is plastic based/ pop art style and likely to go out of fashion quickly (especially given the environmental concerns). Perhaps more long lasting will be the maximalist and eclectic styles of e.g. Seletti & Jonathan Adler.
We also see a return of antiques and repurposing old furnishings – though in a far more refined way than the ‘rough luxe’ period. I LOVED the ‘House of Curiosities’ stand which was packed with interesting, beautiful natural history collectibles, displayed in good quality cases.
Again, this emphasised the notion of nature as decoration. Plants were used throughout the displays (at least 80%)- bigger plants with large green foliage were preferred in most places.
From L-R: Objets by Jonathan Adler / The upside-down world of Seletti / Treasures at the House of Curiosities
Lighting
Lighting has a very important role to play in the look, feel and function of any room – and choosing a statement light that suits a particular space is often a challenge. The lighting on display reflected the themes above.
Natural materials used to make a handmade look, by (top) Raw Materials Amsterdam and (bottom) Metrocs Japan.
Crisp Architectural lighting with clean lines, great attention to detail and lovely finishes by (top) Tekna and (bottom) Giopatto & Coombes
Sculptural forms by (top) Serip and (bottom) Forestiere
We thoroughly enjoyed M&O this year (despite the early Eurostar start) and are excited to implement the trends and beautiful fixtures we found into our design work. If you’re looking for interior design inspiration in your home, get in touch. We’ve got lots of new ideas and suppliers at our fingertips!
