Maison & Objet: The Big Trends From Paris This Year
The latest edition of the iconic fair draws the lines of the new normal in homes and decor after Covid-19
What’s New area, Leisure theme, To Protect display
An edition dedicated to ‘Desirable Development’
International style agency Nelly Rodi has chosen a new, inspiring theme for this edition of the fair: Desirable Development. “Until now, sustainable development was often a moralising injunction. Desirable development gives pleasure pride of place, while respecting nature in a beneficial approach. It’s an idea that is at once positive and creative,” says Vincent Grégoire, the agency’s director of forecasting.
“Desirable development responds to a subtle equilibrium that translates to a lifestyle in harmony with nature, by leaning on technologies while preserving traditional know-how. From now on we will talk about alternative consumption, rather than de-consumption.”
An edition dedicated to ‘Desirable Development’
International style agency Nelly Rodi has chosen a new, inspiring theme for this edition of the fair: Desirable Development. “Until now, sustainable development was often a moralising injunction. Desirable development gives pleasure pride of place, while respecting nature in a beneficial approach. It’s an idea that is at once positive and creative,” says Vincent Grégoire, the agency’s director of forecasting.
“Desirable development responds to a subtle equilibrium that translates to a lifestyle in harmony with nature, by leaning on technologies while preserving traditional know-how. From now on we will talk about alternative consumption, rather than de-consumption.”
What’s New area, Share theme, New Rustic display
The theme was interpreted in various ways throughout the fair, notably in the new products exhibited in the What’s New area. François Delclaux, the director of style and forecasting agency Un Nouvel Air, curated a selection called New Rustic, where he gathered vernacular, authentic and rustic objects, paying attention to their origin and manufacture.
He notes that in future, we will investigate the place and manner of manufacture, as well as social and environmental responsibility. “AOC [’apellation d’origine contrôllée’, French protected origin certification for certain food products], traceability, proximity … these words that come from a food vocabulary [will] now spill over into the world of objects,” he says.
The theme was interpreted in various ways throughout the fair, notably in the new products exhibited in the What’s New area. François Delclaux, the director of style and forecasting agency Un Nouvel Air, curated a selection called New Rustic, where he gathered vernacular, authentic and rustic objects, paying attention to their origin and manufacture.
He notes that in future, we will investigate the place and manner of manufacture, as well as social and environmental responsibility. “AOC [’apellation d’origine contrôllée’, French protected origin certification for certain food products], traceability, proximity … these words that come from a food vocabulary [will] now spill over into the world of objects,” he says.
Photo by Claire Tardy.
Zuiver stand.
At the stands, the brands demonstrated their sustainable approaches. We noticed the increased presence of recyclable and recycled materials, which are more innovative and creative. Zuiver’s The Ocean Chair is a good example. It was created in partnership with the APE studio and made of recycled-plastic waste and a 100%-recyclable metal structure. Alongside it was a bamboo lamp equipped with a jute shade and a recycled-plastic table reminiscent of an old roll of film from a camera, which was dreamed up in collaboration with The Good Plastic Company.
There was also a noticeable infatuation with cardboard, preferably recycled, used creatively for decorative or ordinary objects and some pieces of furniture.
Zuiver stand.
At the stands, the brands demonstrated their sustainable approaches. We noticed the increased presence of recyclable and recycled materials, which are more innovative and creative. Zuiver’s The Ocean Chair is a good example. It was created in partnership with the APE studio and made of recycled-plastic waste and a 100%-recyclable metal structure. Alongside it was a bamboo lamp equipped with a jute shade and a recycled-plastic table reminiscent of an old roll of film from a camera, which was dreamed up in collaboration with The Good Plastic Company.
There was also a noticeable infatuation with cardboard, preferably recycled, used creatively for decorative or ordinary objects and some pieces of furniture.
Roman metal vases from Pols Potten
Moreover, the environmental wake-up call was translated into a need to reconnect with nature, which was expressed in the colour palettes popular this year. The main shades highlighted at the stands were an autumn bouquet that’s as close to nature as possible with hues running from red to yellow and touching on terracotta and ochre; warm colours that echo our need for well-being in interiors.
Moreover, the environmental wake-up call was translated into a need to reconnect with nature, which was expressed in the colour palettes popular this year. The main shades highlighted at the stands were an autumn bouquet that’s as close to nature as possible with hues running from red to yellow and touching on terracotta and ochre; warm colours that echo our need for well-being in interiors.
What’s New area, Leisure theme, To Be Home display
The new rules of work
With working from home and hybrid work models becoming mainstream, office spaces were explored widely at the salon. Throughout the event, the seminars in the The Work! space discussed the way the office is changing as well as solutions for creating a convivial and interactive professional framework.
For example, in the What’s New space, Elizabeth Leriche’s exhibit ‘To Be Home’ presented a selection of office objects, with a variety of pens and notebooks in a decor oriented around calligraphy (pictured below). “One feels well at home. The theme [To be Home], already energised before the pandemic, resonates fully with our lives. We wanted to show the inwardness, the porosity of the home. It is not revolutionary, but we are looking at these objects with new eyes. This gives it new energy.”
The new rules of work
With working from home and hybrid work models becoming mainstream, office spaces were explored widely at the salon. Throughout the event, the seminars in the The Work! space discussed the way the office is changing as well as solutions for creating a convivial and interactive professional framework.
For example, in the What’s New space, Elizabeth Leriche’s exhibit ‘To Be Home’ presented a selection of office objects, with a variety of pens and notebooks in a decor oriented around calligraphy (pictured below). “One feels well at home. The theme [To be Home], already energised before the pandemic, resonates fully with our lives. We wanted to show the inwardness, the porosity of the home. It is not revolutionary, but we are looking at these objects with new eyes. This gives it new energy.”
What’s New area, Leisure theme, To Connect display
François Delclaux chose to develop the theme ‘To Connect’, taking an interest in the connected and technological object, which mostly serves to equip remote working spaces or smartphones: wireless charging, light rings for webcam, light-up pens. “Even mobility is now connected. There are suitcases with USB connectors and luggage with geolocator tags,” he says.
François Delclaux chose to develop the theme ‘To Connect’, taking an interest in the connected and technological object, which mostly serves to equip remote working spaces or smartphones: wireless charging, light rings for webcam, light-up pens. “Even mobility is now connected. There are suitcases with USB connectors and luggage with geolocator tags,” he says.
Puik stand
A Touch of nostalgia
The many pieces exhibited at manufacturers’ stands demonstrated the return of materials and colours used in decoration in the ‘70s. This year’s palette placed burnt orange and moss green in a place of honour, while the most popular materials included ribbed velvet, curly wool, marble and terrazzo.
Élizabeth Leriche explained this trend at the beginning of the year during the Digital Talks, the digital event that replaced the January 2021 edition of Maison et Objet, “The lifestyle of this era is well loved, doubtlessly because the young generations are nostalgic for these happy years when everything was permitted. There is a desire for a less formal, more relaxed and more convivial lifestyle,” she says.
Likewise, the way colours are placed together evolved, with the big return of colour blocking, which is reminiscent of the fashion of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The colours clash in contrasting blocks on walls, furniture and accessories.
A Touch of nostalgia
The many pieces exhibited at manufacturers’ stands demonstrated the return of materials and colours used in decoration in the ‘70s. This year’s palette placed burnt orange and moss green in a place of honour, while the most popular materials included ribbed velvet, curly wool, marble and terrazzo.
Élizabeth Leriche explained this trend at the beginning of the year during the Digital Talks, the digital event that replaced the January 2021 edition of Maison et Objet, “The lifestyle of this era is well loved, doubtlessly because the young generations are nostalgic for these happy years when everything was permitted. There is a desire for a less formal, more relaxed and more convivial lifestyle,” she says.
Likewise, the way colours are placed together evolved, with the big return of colour blocking, which is reminiscent of the fashion of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The colours clash in contrasting blocks on walls, furniture and accessories.
What’s New area, Share theme, Artystudio display
Leriche explored this idea in the What’s New area, with a selection of decorative objects showcased in her Artystudio exhibit. Here, she highlighted the importance of artistic references in the decor world, and displayed an interest in taking inspiration from the works of Matisse, Picasso and Calder. She sees this expressed in motifs evoking the artistic currents of the 20th century, such as splatter or drip techniques and free forms.
Leriche explored this idea in the What’s New area, with a selection of decorative objects showcased in her Artystudio exhibit. Here, she highlighted the importance of artistic references in the decor world, and displayed an interest in taking inspiration from the works of Matisse, Picasso and Calder. She sees this expressed in motifs evoking the artistic currents of the 20th century, such as splatter or drip techniques and free forms.
Sculpture in wood by Maxime Perrolle. Photo by Maxime Perrolle.
A quest for the unique
Craft was also highlighted this year, and was especially visible in the quest for unique pieces that are out of step with mainstream interiors and re-emphasis skill. Notable trends included new ways of working wood that are more subtle, delicate and detailed. Maxime Perrolle, for example, turns wood to sculptural objects according to traditional knowledge. This technique has the characteristic of leaving its marks on the final product to make a unique object.
A quest for the unique
Craft was also highlighted this year, and was especially visible in the quest for unique pieces that are out of step with mainstream interiors and re-emphasis skill. Notable trends included new ways of working wood that are more subtle, delicate and detailed. Maxime Perrolle, for example, turns wood to sculptural objects according to traditional knowledge. This technique has the characteristic of leaving its marks on the final product to make a unique object.
What’s New, Share « Sculptural »
François Bernard, founder and president of the Croisements agency, addressed the theme ‘Sculptural’ in his What’s New exhibit. Here he highlighted individual objects presented as though they were unique pieces that draw curiosity. He focused on objects with a post-organic aesthetic, where the angles, facets and clipped lines replace curves and kidney shapes. “We acquire them because no one else has them! This is proof that the home remains a place of personal expression,” says Bernard.
All in all, this edition of the fair focused on the new normal after Covid-19: sustainability, new ways of working, and the new value placed on traditional and local knowledge.
François Bernard, founder and president of the Croisements agency, addressed the theme ‘Sculptural’ in his What’s New exhibit. Here he highlighted individual objects presented as though they were unique pieces that draw curiosity. He focused on objects with a post-organic aesthetic, where the angles, facets and clipped lines replace curves and kidney shapes. “We acquire them because no one else has them! This is proof that the home remains a place of personal expression,” says Bernard.
All in all, this edition of the fair focused on the new normal after Covid-19: sustainability, new ways of working, and the new value placed on traditional and local knowledge.
Having been cancelled twice due to the pandemic, Maison & Objet returned to Paris, France on September 9–13. Long awaited, this latest edition highlights many of the big trends spurred on by the pandemic, which continue to define the scope of interiors in our ‘new normal’. The event’s theme, ‘Desirable Development’, goes straight to the heart of the subject, as the environment becomes more important. Though still affected by the pandemic, for participants, the joy of returning to the event was palpable.