Paris Match

The French capital is the perfect venue for one of the fastest growing international design and style exhibitions.

Paris is synonymous with sophistication. The city itself is a masterpiece of urban design – the 19th century architect Baron Haussmann devised a series of wide leafy boulevards that criss-cross the city with the elegance and precision of the couturier’s shears. These create the arrondisements where the elegant Parisians live, work and munch nonchalantly on baguettes and croissants. Little wonder then that this city is also home to one of the world’s most important design events.

Maison et Objet has in recent years become Europe’s premiere appointment for the home decorating industry. Focussing on interior detailing rather than simply furniture, twice a year Maison et Objet tempts exhibitors and visitors alike to rush to the City of Light. With more than 80,000 visitors attending this year’s January edition and over 3200 international brands on show, Maison et Objet is one trade event that serious design cognoscenti cannot afford to miss.

While some would undoubtedly rather pass their Parisian sojourn rifling through the racks at Colette or shopping for delicacies at Fauchon, Maison et Objet is worth a visit. Far from your average trade show, the fair is composed of five separate but linked design events: Maison et Objet, Planete Meuble, Now – Design à Vivre, Scènes d’intérieur and Maison et Objet èditeurs. Each focuses on a different aspect within the design and furnishing industry, each highlighting the new trends from the international design avant garde.

Among the designers honoured this year was the relentlessly chic local lad Christian Lacroix, whose flamboyant savoir faire is no longer limited merely to frocks and rocks thanks to a recent commission from the French railways to design interiors of the latest fleet of TGV trains. Rosita Missoni, the grande dame of the Italian fashion house famous for its extravagant knits was also singled out for mention this season. Missoni’s collaboration with TJ Vestor in the creation of the Missoni Home collection yielded strangely alluring fruits this season, with the maison’s signature stripes and colours taking centre stage.

The more directional, design-led part of Maison et Objet, ‘Now – Design à Vivre’ chose to throw the spotlight on German designer Konstantin Grcic. Grcic, who has a truckload of covetable collaborations under his belt (working with Magis, Agape, Driade, Moroso and Muji, to name but a few) has in recent years led the way with his provocative and angular signature style, and will be the subject of a monographic exhibition to be held later this year at Paris’ Museum of Decorative Arts. So, among the endless accolades and champagne soaked soirées… what were the trends on show at this year’s event?

Luxury: Loro Piana left behind the catwalks of Milan to première a collection of accessories for the home in cashmere, angora, silk and shantung in muted, earthy tones. Throws, upholstery fabrics carpets and accessories quietly screamed opulence and good taste.

Nostalgia and a suitably Proustian ‘remembrance of things past’ were evident in the continued trend for the neo-romantic and neo-classical. Eminent wallpaper producers Watts of Westminster mined their archives, pulling out 19th century designs and updating them in new colours. Heavy rococo brocades were revisited in new colours in the upholstery collections presented by Etamine and Casamance – a charming historical irreverence drawing inspiration from Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. The trend for floral motifs looks set to stick around for another season: this year oversized irises and maple leaves take the place of last season’s fussy liberty prints.

British mainstay Habitat chose Maison et Objet to present its spring summer collection, characterised by a strident palate of colours – magenta, cyan, and chartreuse. This theme was picked up by other exhibitors such as lighting company R’Pure, who presented their cheeky ‘fifty/fifty’ lamp in a wide range of ‘pop’ tones.

Soft, organic forms are on the rise in the lighting industry with curvaceous pieces unveiled by Obue and French design house Cinna Roset. Of particular note the glass ‘Meteorite’ lamps by Vanessa Mitriani, intriguing small-scale pieces with a distinctive aluminium ‘crust’. And the work of Israeli designer Arik Levy for Baccarat was particularly beautiful; a collection of vases, goblets and glasses breathing new life into crystal, whilst maintaining a respect for the past.

The famous French revolutionary spirit continues to leave the home design industry unscathed. Past season’s trends were honed and developed, details were fine-tuned, but the substance remained the same. In a country renowned for its good taste; the nation which gave the world the word ‘chic’ – it is not surprising that Maison et Objet delivers ample doses of both. Garçon! Bring me a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and a Baccarat flute! I would like propose a toast: Vive la France! OC