Maison et Objet: Italy 1- Belgium 1

Text: Christiana Konstantinou
Image: Aerodynamic Library, Morph in Design

This season's Maison et Objet - the largest home furnishing fair in France - closed its doors this Tuesday, January 26th. While the general mood was in theory "crisis", the show was in reality rather successful. True, less smaller designers could afford the trip, but those who were there gave a good lesson to the French design industry. Hall # 7, titled "NOW!" was a beautiful display of fresh, new ideas, with the Italians dominating once again. Contemporary furniture from the neighboring country literally stole the show, proving once again their superiority in European design. On the opposite side, the "real Parisian" contemporary style - a mix of real/fake antiques and white-washed/grey tones is no longer the unique privilege of Blanc d'Ivoire.  Numerous Belgian brands like Flamant and Chehoma seem to have taken over the market, competing both in price and quality with the "Parisians". Beware!

A last thing to be noted is the confirmed rapid rise of the "return to nature" tendency, which is more and more coupled with technical materials in order to provide modern ecological solutions - Bleu Nature is a beautiful French example. This tendency is particularly remarked in the textile area, where natural fibers embrace new technologies with astonishing, beautiful results like the Japanese Uchino's amazing home linen. All in all, the Maison et Objet fair is proven once again to be every interior designer's haven and source of inspiration.  It's also a great shopping alternative to the sales for the many privileged "non-pros" who manage to get a pass. One thing to remember - never go the last day unless you're planning to do your shopping.  If I wasn't afraid for my life, I'd have taken a photo of the couch being hauled home  in the shuttle bus!