Maison et Objet 2017 embraces glassware & confetti prints

Elegant tableware brand L’Objet presented its new collection ’Tulum’

(Image credit: TBC)

last updated 6 August 2022

If Cologne kicks off the design year showing the shape of furniture to come, Maison et Objet follows quickly on its heels with a taste of the tabletop to come. Of course there’s furniture too, but it’s typically the multi-platform brands that dominate in Paris, guiding us to the more general household and lifestyle trends. Brands and buyers come from across Europe and the wider world. Lately it’s the Scandinavians and the Japanese who seem to make the most of the show.

One material often jumps out as particularly popular – and this season it seems that many of our esteemed designers have been getting busy with glass. Granted, there are many glass specialists who regularly show and the usual suspects were there, but there were new turns by Tomas Kral and Joe Doucet at Nude; Michael Anastassiades, David/Nicolas and Sebastian Herkner at Verreum; and Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance at St Louis.

A light grey rug with confetti like colour specs on it. — *Garth Roberts’ ’After Party’ rug for CC-Tapis*

Now that brass, marble and wood (alone and combined) have become popular shorthand for quality across the mainstream as well as luxury markets, designers are looking for new substances and surface decorations with which to break up the material monotony. A couple of years ago terrazzo prevailed, and last year splattering seemed to take hold. This year it’s confetti that’s fallen on walls and flooring, tables and tops. Fine examples were on show at CC-Tapis and Ferm Living, where wallpapers and fabrics got the treatment.

In addition, oil-spill iridescence and antique mirroring were inspiring surfaces at Llot Llov, Ferm Living and Pulpo. Young designers in the Rising Talents section showed unique treatments of resin – UK-based Zuza Mengham exhibited a particularly fine vase in her signature colourful resin composite and Marcin Rusak showcased his flower and resin compositions.

A metal framed side board with two shelves with an assortment of silver crockery and a potted plant on it. — *Georg Jensen launched a decadent 'Manhattan' collection*

Pierre Charpin was the fair’s Designer of the Year, and an exhibition of his work set the tone for some of other French designs on show; the likes of Petite Friture and Pool at Gallery Bensimon proved Memphis Mach II to be alive and well.

Among the newcomers taking the stage here was Maison Dada, a Shanghai-based brand with a whimsical selection of lighting and furnishings designed by French nationals Thomas Dariel and Delphine Moreau. Evolution, created by Vincent Le Guern (brother of Valérie, who heads up the family firm Mauviel) and designed by Alain Gilles, featured tabletop and kitchen pieces in mixed materials that complement Mauviel’s essential kitchenware. And Sebastian Conran introduced a design collaboration with the traditional craftsmen of Japan’s Gifu region.

The ’confetti’ surface effect was seen across Ferm Living’s new wallpapers (left). Their candleholders (right) were decorated with oil-spill iridescence. — The ’confetti’ surface effect was seen across Ferm Living’s new wallpapers (left). Their candleholders (right) were decorated with oil-spill iridescence

Petite Friture debuted new prints by Shelley Steer and Tiphaine De Bodman (left) and a new ’Hoff’ chair by Morten & Jonas (right)

Glassmakers Verreum introduced some big-name products, like these ’Corolle’ vases by Sebastian Herkner. Two images of beautifully designed blue and orange vases. — Glassmakers Verreum introduced some big-name products, like these ’Corolle’ vases by Sebastian Herkner

St Louis launched glassware by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance. Two images of various glassware. — St Louis launched glassware by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance

Pulpo’s ’Miro’ mirror was another fine example of the popular oil-spill iridescence and antique mirroring. Two images of mirrors. — Pulpo’s ’Miro’ mirror was another fine example of the popular oil-spill iridescence and antique mirroring

Included in the Rising Talents section were Zuza Mengham’s sculptural marble pieces. Two images of marble pieces. — Included in the Rising Talents section were Zuza Mengham’s sculptural marble pieces

Pinch showed its most recent launches, including this ’Emil’ dresser. A large round topped dresser with four levels for storage. — Pinch showed its most recent launches, including this ’Emil’ dresser

Kohchosai Kosuga presented the ’Copenhagen’ collection of tools of for the home, designed by OEO Studio. A range of wooden crockery and cutlery. — Kohchosai Kosuga presented the ’Copenhagen’ collection of tools of for the home, designed by OEO Studio

Sebastian Conran introduced his collaboration with craftsmen from Japan’s Gifu region – including these wooden pieces by Ohashi Ryoki. A range of wooden storage containers. — Sebastian Conran introduced his collaboration with craftsmen from Japan’s Gifu region – including these wooden pieces by Ohashi Ryoki

Ito Bindery, from Japan, unveiled simple stationery. Wooden stationary container. — Ito Bindery, from Japan, unveiled simple stationery

’Beak’ glassware by Thomas Kral for Nude made its first appearance. A range of glass containers in clear, blue and black glass. — ’Beak’ glassware by Thomas Kral for Nude made its first appearance

Left, geometric pendants from CVL Luminaires. Right, Llot Llov’s ’Klara’ dressing table

On view at Maison Baccarat was ’An Affair in Blue’, an installation exhibiting the ethereal quality of the new collections. Lots of different glassware arranged of different height blue steps with glass pendant lights hanging above. — On view at Maison Baccarat was ’An Affair in Blue’, an installation exhibiting the ethereal quality of the new collections

’Folkifunki’ watercolour tablware with blue and red shapes on. — Spanish designer Jaime Hayon brought his whimsical style to Vista Alegre with the launch of the new ’Folkifunki’ watercolour tablware

Two images. Left, five hanging lamps in different colours. Right, a blue oddly shaped candlestick holder. — Shanghai-based Maison Dada revealed its whimsical silhouettes

Two images. A blue fabric covered cushion and a yellow and white checkered table cloth. — Artek launched new hand-drawn ’Rivi’ fabrics by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Watch the Bouroullec brothers’ hand-drawing process

'S' shaped table with broad lines of white, green and blue with round stool next to it. — Artek celebrated 100 years of independence with a special edition Alvar Aalto’s ’L-Leg’ table, in new linoleum surface colours

Young Chinese studio Suomu Design exhibited its dynamic ceramic collections. A range of crockery in white and light green. — Young Chinese studio Suomu Design exhibited its dynamic ceramic collections

Two images. A chopping board with a green handle and a black meat thermometer. — Launched at the fair: new brand Evolution, created by Vincent le Guern (brother of Valérie, who heads up the family firm, Mauviel)

Two images. Three silver ornamental balls and a black candlestick holder with space to hold three candles. — Verreum also collaborated with Michael Anastassiades on ornamental silver balls (left), and with David/Nicolas on candleholders (right)

Alessi presented kitchenware with a sleek matt black finish. A pot with two handles and a matt black finish. — Alessi presented kitchenware with a sleek matt black finish

Refined bathroom accessories by Frédéric Périgot. A soap holder and a toothbrush cup made from smooth grey stone. — Refined bathroom accessories by Frédéric Périgot

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