This year's January edition of the Paris Maison&Objet (Home & Object) fair took place from January 17-21. The event, which has been organized for twenty-five years, attracted slightly fewer visitors this time (-3.5%) while at the same time offering an even larger range of exhibitors: 2736 companies, with 609 manufacturers attending for the first time.
It seems, however, that the reported lower attendance is not authoritative and did not result from lower interest of interior designers, decorators or future distributors in the offer presented at M&O. It must be taken into account that the first three of the five days of the exhibition fell during the end of a huge traffic strike in France, which lasted more than a month, and access to the exhibition halls in Villepinte, near Paris, was extremely difficult.
Both the largest number of visitors and exhibitors (leaving aside, of course, the country of the organizers) came to the French capital from Italy, Belgium and the UK. I wonder if the next edition in September, taking place after Brexit, will attract an equally large number of participants from across the English Channel...?
As always, three What's New spaces, prepared by selectors who specialize in anticipating new trends - CARE by François Bernard, SHARE by Elisabeth Leriche and LIVING by François Delclaux - awaited visitors to the show. While the first two had a well-crafted setting and a very interesting selection of items, the LIVING space was decidedly disappointing in both its uninteresting selection and ill-conceived setting. Here is a selection of the most interesting trends, items, manufacturers.... although it is difficult to "fit" a whole day of viewing and aesthetic impressions on a dozen shots:
Space Care
Photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
Breathing peace and zen philosophy part of the CARE space. Nuances of beiges, broken white and noble materials are values that defend themselves. Could it be that the long-awaited return of noble minimalism is slowly taking place...?
Care space - colors of the earth
Photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
Another strong trend, which was already clearly outlined during the previous edition of the fair, is the clear return of earth color shades.
Stone Age room
photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
Also in the selection by Elisabeth Leriche we see a return to nature. The room with the eloquent name Stone Age transported visitors to a modern edition of the birth of the world, resulting in items with radical, strong, "primitive" shapes and a definite character.
Forest Fever trend zone
Photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
The most beautiful trend zone, in my opinion, is Forest Fever, located next door to Stone Age. This Leriche selection was a kind of return to nature - organic shapes, delicate shades of greens, browns and grays attracted many viewers.
Ma poésie's proposals
Photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
The French small company Ma poésie, founded by designer Elsa Poux, has been attracting a growing fan base for the past few seasons. A great marriage of colors, textures and natural materials - both with elements for interior design and clothing.
The return to nature was visible at many stands - for example, the proposal of the Danish company Madame Stolz.
Felt thermophores by Dorothee Lehnen
Photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
Felt thermophores by German brand Dorothee Lehnen may not have anything to do with architecture or interior decoration... yet hung in even rows of colorful "hearts" they can be a great alternative to traditional children's room decor.
SERAX ceramics
photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
As always, great and timeless proposals from the Belgian company Serax, perfectly in line with minimalism and a return to nature.
Beiges, khaki, grays have also found their place in the proposals of the French brand "Maison de vacances" or "Holiday home". In such a decorated interior one would like to live all year round!
Original proposals for children's rooms can be found, as always, at Mushkane!
African handicrafts by As Art
Photo: Anna Popiel-Moszyńska
Beautiful African handicrafts were presented by the French company As Art. Another season I can't take my eyes off the waving large baskets!
