Future stars: up-and-coming designers rule the roost at Maison et Objet 2016

Light brown seating area with wall decorations
The latest edition of Maison et Objet showcased beautiful releases from single makers and smaller outfits, as well as some enticing new editions (and re-editions) from some of the bigger brands. Pictured: Normann Copenhagen's vibrant stand
(Image credit: TBC)

We’re an optimistic, forward-thinking bunch here at Wallpaper, so we don’t like to sound negative – but as we strode through the eight vast and alternately over-and under-heated halls of Maison et Objet last weekend, all too many brands we asked ‘What’s new this season?’ looked slightly embarrassed, shifted from foot to foot and finally responded with an apologetic, ‘Er, not very much, actually.’

Maybe we’ve been to too many fairs – or maybe we’re getting a little jaded – but much of this January’s M&O felt like rather an interim affair. Some nice designs, undoubtedly, but – for Wallpaper* at least – nothing that stopped us dead in our tracks. What we did see, though, were some beautiful things from single makers and smaller outfits, as well as some enticing new editions (and re-editions) from some of the bigger brands.

With a show so vast and so varied it’s always hard to discern trends, but it was intriguing to see some of our own hunches borne out. We seem to have reached Peak Brass, for example – after a couple of years of having brass everywhere, it was far less in evidence this time; copper, meanwhile, was almost nowhere to be seen. As for marble, the other big material story of the last few years, white seems to be giving way to various other colours (clearly it’s going to be around for some time yet).

Among the bigger brands, Normann Copenhagen showed its classic ‘Form’ armchairs, covered for the first time with a range of attractive fabrics in various denim shades. There were bright new colourways, too, for the ‘Block’ trolley and ‘Pocket’ wall organisers, as well as a new modular sofa designed by Hans Hornemann. Called ‘Rope’, it comes in 12 different modules and is padded not with foam but with the kind of pocket springs normally found in beds for extra comfort.

Ligne Roset maintained the modular mood with the multicoloured ‘Slice’ armchair, designed by Pierre Charpin in the 1980s but not produced until now, and also showed new versions of Philippe Nigro’s popular ‘Cosse’ sofa.

Over at Gubi, we were dazzled by a re-edition of Louis Weisdorf’s 1972 ‘Multi-Lite’ pendant lamp in seven different materials and colourways. Their two opposing quarter-spherical shades can be rotated individually, offering multiple combinations where the light can be directed upwards, downwards or in various other combinations.

Also lighting the way forward were Hisle’s ‘La Luxciole’ French-made, cordless aluminium table lamps, which despite having powerful LED bulbs cast a warm, attractive light. Kalmar, meanwhile, showed its classic ‘Billy T’ lamp ‘re-edited’ (in its words) by Ilse Crawford. We also liked the oval wall lamp from CTO Lighting, by Turkish design studio Autobahn; while Moser’s new hand-cut glass crystal ‘Carrara 3336’ lamp, designed by Jabůrek Lukáš, came in both pendant and table versions.

Moser also showed some striking glass trays, their edges supported by a pyramid, a cube, a tube and a sphere, all in solid coloured glass. Other good glassware was to be seen in the 'Talents à la Carte' exhibition, which focused on six young Scandinavian designers, including Katriina Nuutinen, whose ‘Lyyli’ containers combine two very Finnish materials: mouth-blown clear and coloured glass with birchwood lids and glass handles. Czech designer Anna Torfs' sculptural vases demonstrated that the traditional Bohemian glass traditions are alive and well.

It was good to see the Misoka•ISM toothbrush, a Design Awards 2016 winner, showing at Maison et Objet, with a spectacular ‘waterfall’ display made up of hundreds of brushes, which apparently took 10 people 10 days to make.

As always, there were appealing finds from smaller brands and up-and-coming designers. Shibui’s onion-shaped wooden mortars and pestles made a welcome addition to their thoughtfully designed accessories for the kitchen, while French studio Coming B’s clever side tables with integral swivelling trays suggested that they’re definitely ones to watch. Young Copenhagen-based Central St Martins graduate Troels Flensted makes alluring tables and vessels whose swirling patterns are created by mixing powdered pigments into a composite material.

Though as always there was more at Maison than anyone could hope to see, the galleries and studios in Paris itself had some particularly fine shows this January. Among the stalwarts, Carpenters Workshop Gallery offered lovely new colourways in Wonmin Park’s ‘Haze’ collection, as well as a group of very characterful lamps-cum-sculptures by Mathieu Lehanneur. Equally intriguing were Marco Guazzini’s stained-marble centrepieces at Galerie S Bensimon – which just goes to show that even a ubiquitous material can be reinvented in the hands of a thoughtful designer.

Block colour arm chair and pouf

Ligne Roset showcased the multicoloured ‘Slice’ armchair that was designed by Pierre Charpin in the 1980s – but it hadn't been produced until now

(Image credit: TBC)

Dark grey material arm chair with metal frame

The French brand also displayed new armchair versions of Philippe Nigro’s popular ‘Cosse’ sofa

(Image credit: TBC)

Dark metal framed shelving unit

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Ferm LIVING revealed three new designs including an inaugural large scale unit, called the 'Punctual Shelving System'

(Image credit: TBC)

Abstract layered lamp shades

Gubi released re-editions of Louis Weisdorf’s 1972 ‘Multi-Lite’ in seven different materials and colourways

(Image credit: TBC)

Modern desk lamps in different shades

Hisle's cordless aluminium table lamps – entitled ‘La Luxciole' – cast a warm, subtle light despite its powerful LED source

(Image credit: TBC)

Marble centerpiece

Marco Guazzini's stained-marble centrepieces were on show at Galerie S Bensimon. Photography: Beppe Brancato

(Image credit: Beppe Brancato)

White material corner sofa

Normann Copenhagen also presented a new modular sofa, 'Rope', designed by Hans Hornemann

(Image credit: TBC)

Three trolleys on wheels in grey, red and blue

The Danish brand introduced bright new colourways for its ‘Block’ trolley...

(Image credit: TBC)

Blue chairs with wooden frames hanging on the wall

...and covered their ‘Form’ armchairs with a range of attractive fabrics in various denim shades for the first time

(Image credit: TBC)

Glass droplet ornaments

In the 'Talents à la Carte' exhibition, Katriina Nuutinen presented new 'Pulu' vases

(Image credit: TBC)

Glass ornaments and containers

Nuutinen also displayed her 'Lyyli' containers, combining mouth-blown clear and coloured glass with birchwood lids and glass handles

(Image credit: TBC)

Abstract and modern glass table lamp

Moser released new hand-cut crystal ‘Carrara 3336’ lamp, designed by Jabůrek Lukáš, seen here in table (pictured left) and hanging versions (right)

(Image credit: TBC)

Solid glass tray with geometrical shaped corners

The Czech glass experts also displayed striking glass trays, their edges supported by a pyramid, a cube, a tube and a sphere, all in solid coloured glass

(Image credit: TBC)

Two tables with light up pink table top

Over at Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Wonmin Park applied new colours to his ‘Haze’ collection

(Image credit: TBC)

Pearl coloured ceiling chandelier

In the same show, Mathieu Lehanneur revealed a very characterful set of lamps-cum-sculptures, called 'Les Cordes'

(Image credit: TBC)

Coloured marble effect bowls

Also on show at 'Talents à la Carte' were Central St Martins graduate Troels Flensted's powdered pigmented vessels

(Image credit: TBC)

Magical objects including coffee cup releasing white smoke

Decorative homeware brand L'Objet revealed a new collection of traditional parlour games called 'Smoke and Mirrors'

(Image credit: TBC)

Brown table base

Artisanal French brand Pouenat launched a new collection by architect Isabelle Stanislas at their Paris showroom. TItled 'Landscapes,' the furniture pieces included perforated metalwork in graphic shapes

(Image credit: TBC)

Wall light to left, table lamp and shade to right

Left: Turkish design studio Autobahn designed this oval shaped light for CTO Lighting. Right: the classic 'Billy T’ lamp by Ilse Crawford for Kalmar was also on show

(Image credit: TBC)

Wooden trolley with black frame

Stellar Works launched the new 'James' collection by Toronto-based design studio Yabu Pushelberg which included this walnut bar cart

(Image credit: TBC)

Wooden table to left, home decor to right

French studio Coming B were ones to watch with their clever side tables and geometric accessories

(Image credit: TBC)

Flower like glass ceiling lighting

(Image credit: TBC)

Wooden mortars and containers

From the smaller brands, Shibui’s onion-shaped wooden mortars and pestles stood out

(Image credit: TBC)

Different shades of wooden mortars and containers

The Switzerland-based company added to their thoughtfully designed accessories for the kitchen

(Image credit: TBC)

Modern grey stone kitchen worktops

Belgium architects Glenn Sestig joined forces with Obumex to reveal a new natural stone kitchen design at their Paris showroom

(Image credit: TBC)

Three galaxy effect vases

Czech designer Anna Torfs' sculptural vases demonstrated that the Bohemian glass traditions are alive and well

(Image credit: TBC)

Three glass vases with lava effect

More of Torfs' bohemian sculptural vases

(Image credit: TBC)

Two legged side tables

Untitled Story launched modular two-legged tables called ' Untitled table,' designed by Studio Marc Schulthess

(Image credit: TBC)

Low day bed with dark wooden frame

Danish design studio Menu revealed their first upholstered daybed

(Image credit: TBC)

Wooden framed chandelier with glass decoration

Created for Lasvit by the Campana Brothers, The Fungo Chandelier was inspired by the shapes of mushrooms found growing on wood. Much like their organic inspiration, the design strikes a rather surprising contrast between the rigid structure of the wooden frame and the spontaneity of the blown glass. Photography: Courtesy of Lasvit 

(Image credit: Lasvit  )

INFORMATION

Maison et Objet ran from 22–26 January 2016. For more information, visit Maison et Objet's website