Interior Stylist & Curator, Navin Kanodia reveals trends from Maison & Objet’s bi-annual Parisian design fair.

With its January edition, Maison & Objet confirmed its continuing appeal and ability to bring together a global community of home decoration, fashion design and lifestyle professionals presenting their new collection under one roof. Walking through thousands of square meters of corridors and lobbies, rubbing shoulders with prolific designers, architects and curators from the length and breadth of this world, one felt Paris to be the epicentre of new brands and trendsetters.

From the hundred-odd, new brands, I spotted German designer Sebastian Herkner who received the ‘Designer of the Year’ award by Maison & Objet. His designs are known for their flawless shapes, artistic composition and subtle surfaces.

This year, the French trade show put the spotlight on six of China’s most promising young designers who received ‘The Rising Talent’ awards and were exhibited their creations at the fair.

The interlocking terrazzo, glass and marble ‘By 3’ TV cabinet/coffee table system captures Urbancraft founder Ximi Li’s raison d’etre: to create pieces that integrate East and West. It was visually so engrossing that it was definitely a moment for me to celebrate.

Each year, Nelly Rodi, a trend forecasting agency, publishes a consumer trends booklet, documenting l’air du temps in the design world. It was interesting to see that the January 2019 issue was wittily named, Excuse My French! – a play on the global fascination with French style and the creative excitement generated by French-made brands. In an installation dedicated to the theme and the release of the booklet, visitors could discover new French brands and collections and piece together what it is that makes the world so eager to emulate the nation’s sense of je ne sais quoi.

Many trends were obvious around the fair; the most noticeable was the prevalence of cane and rattan – the way the natural material can be used with woven chairs and benches, seating, accents and light fixtures which can already be seen in India. There was an instant connection with the designs one has lived with throughout one’s life. It was great to see India’s homespun material put upon the world’s pedestal.

There was concrete being utilized in a significant and progressive way, both the genuine material and impersonation forms in wallpaper, paint, lights and even seating. In terms of color, electric blue made a comeback. In fact, the paint brand Ressource has invented a new version of the color blue ‘Klein blue’!

‘Molten’ was the other trend spotted in mirrors and lights – flaunting, oozing, drip-like silhouettes – a sight to behold. Marbled effects, notably on crockery and platters caught my attention.

Wood was the star of the event as it could be seen almost everywhere. I saw its use in unexpected places which shows that designers have opened up their thinktanks. Even ‘burnt wood’, as a material, is slowly gaining popularity which was seen in the fair. Nautical motifs are quite in, they were visible in waves, shells, starfish and the like. Everywhere one looked, they were adorning trays, jewellery, coasters, embroidered patches and even snowballs.
Functional furniture attracted the stage!

I discovered the beauty of corals through the playful shade of Pantone 2019 which played a dominant part in the fair. It reminded me of the warmth of nature which reflects a lively expression infused with gracefulness.

The other Indian connect was Ikkis (‘21’ in Hindi), a brand launched from India: classical forms finding expression as 21st century design objects. Embedded in indigenous craft and materiality, each product evoked a memory or ritual iconic to India.

It was heartening to see how much was organic at the fair. Serip, the organic lighting brand from Portugal, presented their novelties – handrails and door handles – which were nothing less than showstoppers.

The pleated table on the left: Collaborating with the German studio Besau-Marguerre, founded by Eva Marguerre and Marcel Besau, Fürstenberg presented their sculptural sensation Plisago at the fair which made an impact on me instantly. The future of 2019 in design looks good. I am quite eager to see what awaits in Stockholm, Milan, Dubai and London.

Published in:        IFJ                    March-April 2019