Residential

Did you miss ‘Maison & Objet’ Sept 2018?

Author: Susie Pfeiffer

Published on: 13 September 2018

A young woman stands smiling next to a collection of colorful hanging lamps made from various materials, against a dark backdrop. Sunlight casts shadows across her face and surroundings.

Some of the Pfeiffer Design team went off to Paris at the beginning of the week to sample the most innovative, eclectic and inspirational designs the world currently has to offer.

Let us take you on a guided tour…

With six enormous halls full of unique furniture, fabrics, kitchenware, gifts, toys and lighting – a strategy needed employing to get round the whole thing. Or, as we discovered, a pragmatic approach to what’s achievable in under two working days!

Although daunting, we found that we didn’t suffer from ‘exhibition blindness’ where stands starts to blend into the other after a while. Au contraire! We were really impressed by the variety and individuality of the stands on display and the enthusiasm to which stall holders (after 5 days straight talking their fares) kept their motivation for new custom.

From the sublime to the ridiculous; the fluid to the rigid; engineered to organic – you name it – it had it, in droves!

We particularly took to Sempre, pictured with hanging plants and organic hand blown glassware – who offered us a delicious cold blonde Belgian beer whilst we chatted to one of their charming sales ladies, a welcome refreshment given the 30 degree Indian Summer blessing Paris. Despite the ‘free’ beer – there were many admirers taking photos of the stand and taking a keen interest.

A neatly made bed features various textured linens in neutral and warm tones, with multiple cushions arranged attractively. Nearby, a dining table with glasses and woven baskets is visible in a styled room.

Some of the key trends we noticed were more fluid or wonky edges, Moroccan and tribal vibes, the use of natural materials such as bamboo and wicker, cork and linen, and ever quirky influences of animal, flora and fauna.

These were starkly contrasted by man-made, beautifully constructed materials used to make high end pieces of furniture or lighting structures.

There’s still a strong Deco influence woven through exhibitors stands, and a drive to use Maximisation to give a heady, atmospheric and blended look of supposedly competing art, textures and designs but that achieve the ultimate theatrical design. We also picked up on the Miami/Hollywood throw-back look of glamorous times past.

All in all, we loved it – merci et a bientot Paris!!