In the driving rain and wind in Paris, the Parc des Expositions of Villepinte opened its doors for the fair Maison&Objet. The event open until 21 January confirms its place as the main platform utilized by producers from around the world to show their new creations in the field of home accessories to an international audience. The objective is to discover talents, to offer opportunities for online and offline exchanges and inspirations, while facilitating the growth of companies. The guiding theme of this latest edition, developed in collaboration with the creative strategy agency Peclers Paris, is “Tech Eden,” reflecting a number of critical issues of the present moment in history.
While crises and social tensions reinforce our need to feel comfortable in our homes, avant-garde technologies respond with new services inspired by nature, offering a sophisticated version. One example is Once Upon a Dream, a capsule space designed by Mathieu Lehanneur for the reopening of the Hôtel de Marc, with the aim of encouraging regenerating rest through the artificial and programmable management of natural day-night cycles.
In the perspective of this pursuit of wellbeing in every context of everyday life, the manufacturers of outdoor furnishings adapt with their products to the growing demand for open-air living in increasingly functional spaces. One case in point is Wabi Sabi, the new collection of fabrics and carpets in 100% batch-dyed acrylic and outdoor furniture, presented at the fair by Perennials and Sutherland. In a tribute to the Japanese aesthetic through authentic textures and forms, the Wabi Sabi collection introduces four new weaves and 19 color variants inspired by nature, with motifs that draw on Japanese symbols. The series includes two new carpets, various seats and a table, underscoring the idea that objects can take on personality over time, in a positive view of the layers taken on by objects in time.
Inside Hall 7, Talenti presents Ever, the new collection created by Christophe Pillet, offering outdoor furnishings that can adapt to any context, always with a coherent identity. Refined and minimal, the furnishings combine simple and rounded lines, focusing on neutral shadings inspired by nature. Pairing the versatility of wood with the elegance of volcanic stone, Ever adds character to living and dining areas with a modern atmosphere, in a clearly classical approach.
The leitmotif of Pedrali’s displays for this edition of the fair is the concept “#PedraliBacktoNature,” in a project developed by the Milan-based firm DWA Design Studio. The stand, located at Hall 6 of the “Today” section, is a tribute to the company’s roots, since it began with outdoor collections and then developed in the sector of interior furnishings. Outstanding pieces include those of the Lamorisse Wood, Panarea and Guinea collections, created by CMP Design, and the Hevea flower pots by Victoria Azadinho Bocconi.
Research on products and materials that make it possible to organize functional and pleasurable outdoor spaces has also guided Ethimo, presenting Pangea in Paris, a collection of carpets for open-air contexts developed by Studiopepe, featuring two new rugs, Tetide and Pangea, which stand out for the 3D effect of the yarns and the geometric patterns, enhanced by warm, intense colors.
Tuuci, a company based in Miami and founded by Dougan Clarke in 1998, displays shading solutions conceived for the world of yachting, which can also revolutionize all outdoor spaces. Recent items include the Ocean Master Mega Max, with further innovations, like the hub system with support in stainless steel to grant strength and stability to parasols, and lighting or heating options, built in to create a personalized outdoor atmosphere.
The same focus on wellbeing emerges in several solutions for indoor spaces presented this year by KDLN, on hand at the fair in the section on “Made in Italy,” where the company displays its most iconic products. The protagonists of the booth are two floor lamps: Kyudo by Hansandfranz and the new Model T of 2023, which respectively represent modern, dynamic design and simplicity of forms.
The striking Kushi table lamps (design Alberto Saggia e Valerio Sommella) create enveloping atmospheres, while on the walls and ceiling the lamps by Francesca Smiraglia, including the versatile Dala Linear and the new, exclusive Kate from 2023, complete the display, adding a touch of modernity and refinement.
Milla&Milli, a Croatian interior design firm, offers the new Edge collection designed by Alain Gilles, successfully combining architectural rigor and soft lines, to bring a sculptural look to a table, a bench and a bookcase in solid oak. Every pieces, carefully crafted by master artisans, reflects the expertise and passion of Milla&Milli, a company that stands out for responsible use of wood and respect for the environment.
