While the rest of the world is navigating resolutions and the winter blues after the holidays, the design community is laser-focused on the first major international design week of the year in glamorous Paris. Vendors, makers and creatives from around the globe debut their new collections at Maison&Objet, located at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, luring designers, buyers and media also from around the world to explore the many halls and aisles teeming with inspiration and products (from nearly 2,300 brands!) that will surely set the tone for the year ahead. With the LUXE team on the ground in Paris to take it all in, here are our five main takeaways from the fair.
Corey Damen Jenkins Goes Global
New York-based interior designer, product designer and author Corey Damen Jenkins adds another standout accomplishment to his impressive resume with the debut of his first lighting collection with powerhouse brand Eichholtz. Launching on the international stage, Jenkins’ collection marks the brand’s first-ever interior designer collaboration. Jenkins, who has been sketching and dreaming up chandeliers, pendants, table lamps and sconces for years, found inspiration in a wide range of sources, from architecture to goddesses. Bravo, Corey!
Happy Colors Incoming
We’ve been tracking how interior palettes have been skewing warmer in every category—from paint to stone and textiles—as we crave to be surrounded by colors that provide a sense of comfort for a cocooning, grounding effect. While that still rings very much true, keep your eye on the rise of happy hues like yellow. This zesty rug by Spanish company Rols Carpets caught the eye of many in Hall 3. From their new Kilt collection, this sunny colorway provides a jolt of joy to its surroundings and is sure to be a color to watch this year.
Innovation At Every Turn
It wouldn’t be a trip to Maison&Objet without meeting companies who are at the forefront of sustainability and eco-conscious practices. Pierreplume, an acoustics company out of France, is upcycling textile fibers (ranging from stuffed animals to discarded clothing) and turning them into sound-absorbing panels. Functional and practical, the product isn’t designed to hide in the walls, but intended to be put on display, with colorful patterns imagined in the spirit of terrazzo, granite and limestone. A wallcovering that improves noise conditions while using recycled materials? Now, that’s a product of the times.
Subtle Nods To Art Deco
Back in 2020, at the beginning of the Art Deco movement’s 100th anniversary, it was predicted that those 1920s motifs and elements would be a big source of inspiration for this current decade. Those predictions were correct, as we noted many product lines (from wallcoverings to fabric and furniture) alluding to that roaringly bold era. While some references are more obvious, there are more subtle interpretations, like this Marble Frame sconce designed in collaboration between French brand Violane D’Harcourt and Lisbon-based artist Sophia Brenninkmeyer. The undulating edges are reminiscent of the movement’s popular scallop motif while remaining sleek, streamlined and modern.
Outdoor Furniture Is Having All The Fun
It was a big year for outdoor furnishings at the fair. Companies from around the world showcased chaise lounges, lighting, rugs, umbrellas and more, tempting fairgoers to dream of warmer days ahead. But what was on display wasn’t your classic teak or wicker or coastally-inclined designs. The overall mood for outdoor collections was all about punchy color, oversized shapes and modern silhouettes. Mambo Unlimited Ideas, a fair favorite out of Portugal, expertly delivered on that directive, with their Duna chair a perfect example of how the winds are shifting to personality-forward style when it comes to outdoor living.
