Jennifer Sheahan: Inspiration for our homes from Maison et Objet
Designs by Bina Baitel at Maison et Objet.
It's one of the world's biggest interiors and lifestyle trade shows and Maison et Objet takes place in Paris every September and January. It’s where all of the best designers come to show off their latest creations to prospective retail buyers, architects, interior designers, and the press.
I got to check it out this month where I loved the theme — “a quest of pleasures”, a bold display of “colour, extravagance, audacity, and humour”. It was a true celebration of the world reopening and people striving to return to a busy and optimistic life.
Maison et Objet is a great place to go to get a glimpse into future trends and to be inspired by the most creative designs. It’s only open to trade and press, but I’m here to share the best of what I saw so that you can take inspiration from the comfort of wherever you’re reading this. Settle in and enjoy!
Colour abounded this year, which fit the theme. There were primarily bold block colours on display, yet still plenty of those gorgeous patterns.
Colour came through everywhere, both in the furniture and other larger items, but also through paint, wallpaper, lighting, tableware, and soft furnishings.
I saw a mix of muted earthy greens and browns paired with bold yellows, reds, and oranges, and dare I say it but I think we might be looking at a more refined and evolved resurgence of ‘70s style. Flower power but make it chic.
In what might sound like a departure from the vibrancy of colours on offer, there was a substantial display of minimalist furniture and accessories. I’m not personally a minimalist — I love it, but from a safe distance. I always think it looks great until I drop a shopping bag on a countertop or throw a coat over a kitchen chair, and then the whole look is ruined.
However, this year I saw the concept of minimalism evolve from a state of stark perfection to something that integrates with more maximalist surroundings.
The “Designers of the Year” at Maison et Objet are Belgian design studio Muller Van Severen, and their installation of minimalist furniture and lighting embraced colour and shape.
It is a truly innovative style of minimalism that is so playful and perfect in its design that it allows for the imperfections of living in its surroundings. You could throw a coat on the back of one of their chairs. I fell in love with their “duo seat + lamp”, and can personally attest to its comfort.
If you, like me, enjoy the minimalist look but find it too intimidating to achieve, you can expect to see more colourful minimalist designs that can be integrated with other styles coming in the next few months.
Patterns remain hugely popular, which pleases me greatly as I adore patterns of all shapes and sizes. I saw more bold, block patterns on display and less of those small detailed florals that have abounded in recent years.
Mixing and clashing lots of patterns in one space is still very much embraced. In another nod to retro revival, I saw plenty of stripes, flat prints, and blocky geometric shapes.
Sustainability is a huge theme, achieved by most through the use of recycled materials and also by using natural materials where possible. There was an abundance of wood, bamboo, rattan, stone, wool, linen, sheepskin.
The use of these materials has influenced beautiful organic shapes — curves and soft edges, uneven stone sinks, and raw wooden tables full of knots and bumps.
An increase in the usage of natural materials means a wider variety of textures. Smooth ceramic lamp bases mixed with knobbly linen lampshades, and imperfectly woven woollen rugs against sleek suede couches and wooden armchairs.
Bouclé remains a very popular fabric for couches and chairs, seen primarily in white and earthy greens, perhaps starting to make way for luxuriously thick white and cream corduroy.
The home office has transformed from a dark, musty, closed-off room to an integrated part of most homes. Where once there was endless leather, dark wood, glass, and chrome there are now soft materials, dual-usage furniture, colours and patterns, and beautiful office chairs that are both ergonomic and stylish.
Clever use of multi-functional furniture, such as fold-out desks and hidden shelving, was on display for those who needed their home office to be put away at the end of the working day and transformed into a living space. Expect to see more clever and stylish home office solutions on offer in the coming months.
Last but certainly not least, I saw an increased focus on extending creative design to mundane household items. Colourful switch and plug plates, artistically patterned home fire extinguishers, and elegant garden hoses with antler-shaped wall mounts.
This is great news for small homeowners, as items that might otherwise have taken up storage space can now sit out on display.
These small details can have a big impact on your interior design no matter what size your house is — finishing touches that take your home from “very nice” to “wow”.
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