New Design Trends: Exhibition Overview Maison & Objet

A week ago, the international exhibition Maison & Objet concluded in Paris. Designer Alena Yudina shares her impressions and offers advice on how to plan your first visit to the event.

Alena YudinaEXPERTInterior designer, graduate of the British Royal College of Art. 1. Soft Lines

This trend was evident throughout, and its most vivid embodiment was the Dtile tiles – in my opinion, this is already the highest level of 'roundness'.

2. Rich Colors

In fashion, blue and emerald tones are in style for interiors. But what impressed me most were dark shades from the yellow-orange spectrum – terracotta, brick red, burnt sienna. I expect designers to gravitate toward these colors next year.

3. Play with Light

Today, designers are not only focusing on lighting fixtures but also their 'shadows'. Often, it's the shadows and reflections that draw attention first.

The trend of grouping suspended lights is currently relevant: not just one accent chandelier and technical lighting, but several lights that together form a light installation.

4. Armchair

Furniture in the mid-century modern style has recently experienced a new wave of popularity. I often noticed such armchairs on various stands and took a few down for note. They fit perfectly into small apartments.

5. Plants in Unusual Colors

In interiors, one could find very stylish compositions of live flowers. 

Examples of interesting ideas:

• plants painted in colors that don't suit them;
  
• decor in the form of flowers or leaves gilded;
  
• lighting fixtures shaped like plants.
  

6. Insects

Besides flowers and plants, insects also caught my attention. Not only at the exhibition but in interior stores as well, I came across such home decor. They might replace cacti, which were popular before – pay attention to them. 

7. Fringes

Fringes have appeared – in various expressions. In Scandinavian interiors, wall decor in macramé with rich fringes. In more classic styles – fringes as a decorative element of objects.

8. Home Fragrances

The number of scents heard and manufacturers seen at the exhibition was impressive. Nearly half of one of the eight pavilions was dedicated to home fragrances.

How to Plan Your First Visit to Maison & Objet?

• Buy airline tickets and book a hotel in Paris three months before the exhibition – more choices, lower prices than just before the event. Tickets can be purchased online.
  
• The exhibition is held at the Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte station, which is quite close to Charles de Gaulle Airport. You can travel directly from the airport – there is a cloakroom for coats and luggage.
  
• When traveling from the center of Paris to the exhibition, it's important to change your metro ticket for an RER ticket (railway network). On the first day, we didn't do this and were fined 35 euros per person.
  
• You can start visiting pavilions in order or by themes.
  
• Make sure to wear comfortable shoes – you'll be walking a lot at the exhibition.
  
• I recommend taking a break after two days – stroll around Paris.
  
• They say it's worth visiting the January M&O – more participants (and probably more visitors). 
  
• The key is your mindset. I decided right away that if I remember just 10% of what I saw, it would be great and useful. So don't panic that you didn’t photograph everything, walk through everything – it’s physically impossible.
  
• As for the question of whether it's worth attending if you're just starting in design, the answer is definitely yes – your start will be spectacular.
  

Read also:

• 6 Reasons to Visit the InDecor Moscow Exhibition
  
• Fall-2017: 8 Fresh Ideas for Your Interior
  
• The Most Relevant Season Colors According to Pantone: Analysis with Examples