Our good friend and interior designer, Erika Forster from Maison DLP recently attended the Maison&Objet fair in Paris and brings us her insights from the show.
Another strong showing at Maison&Objet with a fabulous display of interior products and innovative solutions. As seen in past years at iSalone in Milan, this year I noticed home perfumes/personalised scents and “home fragrances” taking a strong position. There were so many stands at Maison & Objet either showcasing their own scents or offering customised scents.
I see so many applications for this but particularly for any business with a showroom or physical location. A signature scent for a brand gives a business that something special with which to create an iconic and memorable experience for their customers.
In terms of innovation, this year I saw a real mix of ideas – nothing starkly new but that’s not surprising as we’re still rebuilding confidence after the pandemic. I’m seeing a distinction with brands either committing to colours or committing to neutrals – but rarely both.
Tactility is still strong across the board and throughout the sector – both visual and sensorial textures are everywhere. Particularly with neutrals, I’m seeing an injection of subtle colouring and/or a pattern to help elevate it beyond the background.
We know the majority of European brands have been focussed on reducing waste and looking at their environmental impact for many years so it’s no surprise to see that on display at Maison & Objet. Some brands are now committing to 100% recycled material product line offerings and others making beautiful objects from excess production of base materials within their industries.
The idea of handcrafting is predominant – whether the “real deal” or the aesthetic of the handcrafted. There’s more attention to detail in wooden furniture. Tapering and curves to edging or rough and rugged detailing. Yes, we’ve seen this with some high-end companies but the prevalence of this development across the fair is notable.
I discovered a couple of concept zones which were interesting as many aimed to shift mindsets and take a deeper look at some areas of the home that are traditionally more functional. I saw a lovely mix of materials, textures and colours to make these spaces more interesting and engaging, again, with the sense of smell being thoughtfully included.
As a kick-start show for 2024, I found Maison & Object to be very thought provoking and I’m keen to see what iSalone and Milan Design Week in April will contribute to our ongoing design conversation. Enjoy this slide show walk through of the show.
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