The January edition of Maison et Objet, the massive home decor show that takes place biannually on the Villepinte fairgrounds north of Paris, offered enough eye-candy and design delights to ensure its place in the roster of de rigueur international shows. With roughly 3,000 exhibitors spread out over eight halls, it’s unlikely that anyone takes all of it in. But design buffs who venture beyond the prescribed halls can make discoveries that are well worth the effort.
1 The Candy Collection by Lasvit
Designed by the Campana Brothers, this line includes the Lollipop table lamp and Sphere chandelier, as well as the Ring Chandelier (not shown), all produced in hand-blown glass and metal. First shown in Milan last year, the collection expands on the Campanas’ colourful Sushi series and takes its inspiration from the sugary confections sold by Brazilian street vendors.
2 Ora In and Ora Out by Alessi
Among Alessi’s new items for 2016 is a series of whimsical and inventive clocks that includes Ora In and Ora Out, both by Giulio Iacchetti. These two time-tickers mount recessed in a corner and where two walls meet.
3 FCK tableware by Serax
Antwerp-based Serax is offering a selection of pieces from Frédérik Gautier’s brutalism-inspired FCK line of concrete tableware. It includes four teapots with 12 matching cups and side plates enamelled on the inside to make them food-safe.
4 Industry Garden by Seletti
The bestselling Industry Garden Collection for Seletti took centre stage in the Now! Design à Vivre section of Maison & Objet, mounted vertically on the edgy Italian furniture and accessories company’s front facade. Made of cast aluminum, the set riffs on Victorian-era garden furniture, updating it with Studio Job’s trademark gas masks and butterflies.
5 Strain by Prostoria
Croatian furniture manufacturer Prostoria debuted the beautiful and exceptionally comfortable stool Strain, designed by Simon Morasi Piperčic.
6 Nolita by Pedrali
Italy’s Pedrali introduced a stackable lounge chair to their Nolita collection of outdoor furniture, designed by Simone Mandelli and Antonio Pagliarulo.
7 Tabouret LS01 by La Subtitle
French company La Subtitle showed the table/stool Tabouret LS01. By intersecting the slats, a row of tabourets creates a bench of any length.
8 Two Propeller Mobile by L’Atelier des exercices
François Azambourg’s Two Propeller Mobile is hand-made in the designer’s Paris studio in a signed and numbered special edition.
9 1085 by Kristalia
For 1085 Edition, produced by Kristalia, Bartoli Design draws on the expertise of a company that has been producing soles for Italian fashion brands since 1933. The natural hide is intended to age over time, changing its colour and texture in a validation of authenticity and tradition.
10 Miyavie seating
Material buffs take note: Miyavie, an initiative by Japanese artist/designer Koichiro Kimura, proposed seating made from filaments of polyethylene resin woven and heat-formed into spongy blocks.
11 Lampe Gras XL by DCW Editions
DCW Editions’ Lampe Gras XL outdoor lighting fixtures evoke temps perdu, yet their overscale quality makes them feel über contemporary.
12 Arita 400project porcelain
To celebrate 400 years of Arita porcelain in Japan’s Saga Prefecture, four creations were commissioned and displayed at Maison et Objet, among them this exquisite bowl by Kengo Kumo in Riso porcelain.