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Collection by Kelsey Keith

Best of Paris: 2012 Maison & Objet

Maison & Objet, the annual winter design show in Paris, ended last week, and it's taken seven whole days to catch our collective breath and clean off our camera's memory card. The immeubles shown at Maison sweep across eight airplane-hangar-sized buildings in a convention center north of the ciy, and include everything in the world of "déco," from wallpaper to candlesticks to armoires. And like any influential design fair worth its salt, the conversion of editors and retailers inspires some equally incredible satellite events throughout Paris. Especially notable were the young designers presenting at Meet My Project and offsite events by Emeco and Rockwell Group. Here are some notes from the exhibition floors at Maison, with some city snapshots for good measure.

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More felt upholstery, seen at the Ligne Roset booth on the felt chaises designed by Delo Lindo (also available in a dining chair version). Also enjoying a big moment at this year's Maison & Objet: the color pink!
More felt upholstery, seen at the Ligne Roset booth on the felt chaises designed by Delo Lindo (also available in a dining chair version). Also enjoying a big moment at this year's Maison & Objet: the color pink!
Danish design company HAY takes the cake for Maison-booth-that-doubles-as-dream-wonderland. It was a smorgasbord of design, from everyday kitchen utensils to stationery to bedding to furniture. While I'm familiar (and enamored) with HAY's furniture offerings, I'm excited to see the full line get distribution here in the US. Here's hoping!
Danish design company HAY takes the cake for Maison-booth-that-doubles-as-dream-wonderland. It was a smorgasbord of design, from everyday kitchen utensils to stationery to bedding to furniture. While I'm familiar (and enamored) with HAY's furniture offerings, I'm excited to see the full line get distribution here in the US. Here's hoping!
I noticed a lot of compartmentalization in the furniture shown at Maison & Objet, from a Mondrian-esque coffee table to the filing cabinets shown by LABT (left) out of Ghent, Belgium, and the containers designed by Cédric Ragot for Roche Bobois (right).
I noticed a lot of compartmentalization in the furniture shown at Maison & Objet, from a Mondrian-esque coffee table to the filing cabinets shown by LABT (left) out of Ghent, Belgium, and the containers designed by Cédric Ragot for Roche Bobois (right).
Cinna, the European relation of Ligne Roset, gives out a young designers prize each year. These stackable Ô Perché cabinets by Julie Pfligersdorffer are light, easy to re-arrange, and possessed of a fetchingly rounded silhouette.
Cinna, the European relation of Ligne Roset, gives out a young designers prize each year. These stackable Ô Perché cabinets by Julie Pfligersdorffer are light, easy to re-arrange, and possessed of a fetchingly rounded silhouette.
The Art Deco-inspired Jacaranda collection by ceramics company Puiforcat was previously produced in silver; this year, the rosewood base is complemented by a rich bronze.
The Art Deco-inspired Jacaranda collection by ceramics company Puiforcat was previously produced in silver; this year, the rosewood base is complemented by a rich bronze.
And now for some major news from Tom Dixon: the Briitsh lighting design standard-bearer is moving into the decor market, with a range of home accessories fabricated in Dixon's signature materials: copper, marble, brass, and wood. Here, some statement-making mortar and pestle sets. The company is expecting to have US distribution by Fall 2012.
And now for some major news from Tom Dixon: the Briitsh lighting design standard-bearer is moving into the decor market, with a range of home accessories fabricated in Dixon's signature materials: copper, marble, brass, and wood. Here, some statement-making mortar and pestle sets. The company is expecting to have US distribution by Fall 2012.
The Missoni Home booth at Maison & Object was, as expected, a riot of color and print. I noticed a lot of thickly-spun knit this year, including photorealistic patterns in addition to the real thing.
The Missoni Home booth at Maison & Object was, as expected, a riot of color and print. I noticed a lot of thickly-spun knit this year, including photorealistic patterns in addition to the real thing.
Maison brings out the conflicted sides of my aesthetic: do I prefer warm and handmade or clean-lined and industrial? Luckily, one can choose both. At left, SCP's new chubby wool rugs by Donna Wilson and at right, the booth of &Tradition, a three-year-old company producing the first editions by young designers. (They've even got the first lamp designed by Arne Jacobsen when he was a student!)
Maison brings out the conflicted sides of my aesthetic: do I prefer warm and handmade or clean-lined and industrial? Luckily, one can choose both. At left, SCP's new chubby wool rugs by Donna Wilson and at right, the booth of &Tradition, a three-year-old company producing the first editions by young designers. (They've even got the first lamp designed by Arne Jacobsen when he was a student!)
Marcel By is a new company that issues limited editions by contemporary French designers. At left, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance explaining his Bamby Chair for Marcel By. It's got felt (check), pale wood (check), and an innovative base whose legs look like a newborn fawn walking for the first time.
Marcel By is a new company that issues limited editions by contemporary French designers. At left, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance explaining his Bamby Chair for Marcel By. It's got felt (check), pale wood (check), and an innovative base whose legs look like a newborn fawn walking for the first time.
Czech Selection booth at Maison & Objet; pictured in the foreground is the Princess dressing table designed by Michael Fronēk and Jan Nēmeček of Studio Olgoj Chorchoj. The black walnut top perched on a thin stainless steel base opens to reveal a compartment for storing jewelry—an unexpected suprise the size of a porthole.
Czech Selection booth at Maison & Objet; pictured in the foreground is the Princess dressing table designed by Michael Fronēk and Jan Nēmeček of Studio Olgoj Chorchoj. The black walnut top perched on a thin stainless steel base opens to reveal a compartment for storing jewelry—an unexpected suprise the size of a porthole.
The Princess table by Olgoj Chorchoj is now being produced by Process after its debut at 100% Design London last year.
The Princess table by Olgoj Chorchoj is now being produced by Process after its debut at 100% Design London last year.
First look at Emeco's new Sezz collection designed by Christophe Pillet. Though some of Emeco's past designer collaborations have been more akin to art pieces, this collection (aluminum chair, stool, swivel desk chair, and armchair with vinyl padding) is down-to-earth and functional. The desk chair, in particular, is lightweight and comfortable, at least in this tester's opinion.
First look at Emeco's new Sezz collection designed by Christophe Pillet. Though some of Emeco's past designer collaborations have been more akin to art pieces, this collection (aluminum chair, stool, swivel desk chair, and armchair with vinyl padding) is down-to-earth and functional. The desk chair, in particular, is lightweight and comfortable, at least in this tester's opinion.
Christophe Pillet's Sezz collection with Emeco was held in a gorgeous space in the 10th arrondissement by the Canal St. Martin. Galerie Végétale's lush array of plants, living walls, and succulents formed a scenic counterpoint to the Pennsylvania company's signature sleek aluminum.
Christophe Pillet's Sezz collection with Emeco was held in a gorgeous space in the 10th arrondissement by the Canal St. Martin. Galerie Végétale's lush array of plants, living walls, and succulents formed a scenic counterpoint to the Pennsylvania company's signature sleek aluminum.
Merci is the giant concept store in the Marais opened in 2009 by Bernand and Marie-France Cohen (the couple behind the luxury children’s clothing brand Bonpoint). The car/bicycle arrangement in the inner courtyard off the Boulevard Beaumarchais hints at the magic to come. Behind, you can peek through to one of the libraries where visitors can sip café au lait while perusing the latest art and design periodicals.
Merci is the giant concept store in the Marais opened in 2009 by Bernand and Marie-France Cohen (the couple behind the luxury children’s clothing brand Bonpoint). The car/bicycle arrangement in the inner courtyard off the Boulevard Beaumarchais hints at the magic to come. Behind, you can peek through to one of the libraries where visitors can sip café au lait while perusing the latest art and design periodicals.
What's especially wild about Merci is that the owners have convinced very established brands to sell here, while funneling all profits to a children’s charity in Madagascar. The home goods section is excellent, with a wide range of small utilitarian goods from Japan, plus a wall of chairs.
What's especially wild about Merci is that the owners have convinced very established brands to sell here, while funneling all profits to a children’s charity in Madagascar. The home goods section is excellent, with a wide range of small utilitarian goods from Japan, plus a wall of chairs.
Galérie Kréo, the design 'research laboratory' in the 6th arrondissment run by Didier and Clémence Krzentowski, is a must-see when in Paris (in fact, we've covered it before, here and ). On this visit, I spotted the oversized T2 shelf system by Martin Szekely paired with the PC2 carpet by Pierre Charpin (left) and a rather incredible mechanized lamp that knits by Atelier NL (right).
Galérie Kréo, the design 'research laboratory' in the 6th arrondissment run by Didier and Clémence Krzentowski, is a must-see when in Paris (in fact, we've covered it before, here and ). On this visit, I spotted the oversized T2 shelf system by Martin Szekely paired with the PC2 carpet by Pierre Charpin (left) and a rather incredible mechanized lamp that knits by Atelier NL (right).
One of the best things about being in Paris for a furniture and design show is... getting to walk around Paris. Here, an incredible Deco typeface I spotted on a preschool in the 11th arrondissement, not too far from Canal St. Martin.
One of the best things about being in Paris for a furniture and design show is... getting to walk around Paris. Here, an incredible Deco typeface I spotted on a preschool in the 11th arrondissement, not too far from Canal St. Martin.