My thoughts on colour and form from Maison & Objet and all the trends you need to know about from the latest edition of the show.
Well, you know the saying “Paris is always a good idea” and I’m all for a quick trip to Paris. Almost two weeks ago I took a quick two-night hop to the French capital to see the sights of Maison & Objet and Paris Deco Off. The one thing I’m always prepared for is how bitingly cold Paris is in January – and this time there was even some snow! What I hadn’t really planned for was how nervous people were about the Gilet Jaunes, central Paris was eerily quiet, especially for a Saturday during the tradeshows. Louis Vuitton was boarded up, so, too, Prada and a couple of banks in the shopping area along Boulevard Saint-Germain in the sixth arrondissement. It might seem surreal for me to say this, but it actually helped me out a little. How you might be asking? Well, the showrooms of the Left Bank were quieter and that meant I got a really good look at the new fabrics on offer for 2019. Anyway, this first post is about the colour and form from Maison & Objet’s January edition, but I’ll follow up with a look at the textiles making me feel warm and fuzzy.
I headed straight from the airport directly to M&O with my carry-on suitcase in tow. A short 3 and half hours from waking up I was actually at the showground. This is one of the biggest perks of living so close to Gatwick airport and the show

The first section I visited was the show’s platform for new and emerging designers, The Rising Talents Awards. This year the jury, including legendary designers Tom Dixon and Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu of Neri & Huwere focusing on China’s design talent. Some of the brightest young design minds selected included Frank Chou, Chen Furong, Mario Tsai, Hongjie Yang, Ximi Li, and Bentu. What was fascinating to see was the crisp contemporariness that their designs exuded. Particularly when the designs were shown against a sterile white cube. Many of the designers selected had studied, interned or even worked outside of China, combining their global references with Chinese ones. Ximi Li’s Urbancraft furniture included terrazzo, which has been a popular design motif for the last 18 months or so.

2910 brands presented their latest creations at the January edition of M&O, of which 62% were international exhibitors. Not surprisingly there were new trends developing and apparent throughout the halls, but there really was something for everyone. As you know I’m a firm believer that we shouldn’t handcuff ourselves to trends in interiors, and that it’s much better to select the best available product for the task required, within your budget. As an interior design trend, by definition, is the temporary popularity of a style and
I believe we shouldn’t be slaves to trends, I think it’s best to pick and choose the elements that appeal to us intrinsically and choose the best available product for the task required.
However, honestly, it’s useful to know where “fashion” and “trends” are heading so that you have an informed choice. So what colour and form from Maison & Objet did I spot that might be a trend?
Reach out and touch me
Velvet was still very much in evidence across the halls from upholstery to soft furnishings but a new texture was appearing as a challenger to the ubiquitous upholstery fabric choice – corduroy. Could it be the development of the boho/seventies aesthetic? Or was it the charm that the pattern of vertical lines creates? Whether in a fine micro cord or the wale cord variety it was picking up momentum, creating a warm and tactile textile surface on furniture. I spotted it at Ligne Roset (who were also experimenting further with upholstery textiles using quilting, as were

Fringing was bubbling up at last January’s show but it’s reaching altogether new heights (or should that be lengths?) with it adorning almost everything. I was particularly taken with Eno Studio’s fringed wall sconce, although it was hard to photograph.
Surprisingly I also spotted a fair amount of crochet. It’s not something I’m a fan of at all. The more elegant use of it appeared closer to

I’m a Material girl
I couldn’t write about


Punched through surfaces that created shadow play (similar to rattan) were also spotted at Pedrali and Exflorim. Plus shadow play or dappled light created by lighting textures was a biggie, seen expressively DWC Editions.


Marvellous marble was everywhere but the earthy green marbles were centre stage at Ligne Roset, Alex Mint, Cinna and La Chance. I spotted it combined with pinky hues marble at Ferm Living, Dooq and over at Mambo. Alex Mint showed it “spliced” together with gold detailing and Meridiani showed it as a small side table with a simple black metal band.


Know your shapes
Organic shapes were a force to be reckoned with, with arches, curves, almonds and lozenge shapes leading from the front. In the lighting stakes, it was all about the “globe” – whether it was opaline, coloured, translucent, large or small.



Earthy hues and spice tones
Whether you agreed with Dulux that the colour of the year is Spiced Honey or with Pantone’s Living Coral prediction, one thing is for sure it about to get a lot warmer. Hues of terracotta, cayenne, mustard and rust paired with warm peachy nudes or with striking berry reds were immediately apparent in the halls of Maison. Pink wasn’t altogether forgotten and still popped up frequently. In fact, these new earth tones work remarkably well with it. However, when it all gets a bit too red toned there are the alternatives of deep forest green bubbling up and deep luxurious chocolate.




Headboards to wake you up
I didn’t see it coming till it hit me in the face, statement headboards are becoming a thing. Definitely a little different to the standard tufted velvet that is de rigueur these days.



Lift up the rug
Rugs aren’t for the floors anymore, these works of art are meant to be displayed where everyone can see them. The colour and form from Maison and Objet may have varied, but irregular shapes, added texture, fringes and bold patterns were a common thread.

The Trend Presentations
Every Maison & Objet includes a trend presentation exhibit and this edition was no exception.
If you enjoyed this roundup on colour and form from Maison & Objet you may also like to read some of my other tradeshow reports. Or maybe take a look at my article for Interior Design Magazine here.
All images in the Trend Presentation section by AETHION. All other photography by Mary Middleton for Hello Peagreen, except the image from HK Living and Ferm Living indicated.
Fab round up Mary, I always love seeing the things that you spot. Gotta say I’m totally over fringing now. Excited by statement headboards though and loving the earthy tones and globe lights. I see a lot of texture from your pictures. Did you notice that? Very interesting. I think we should go together next time.
Author
One day Stacey, you and I will be at a tradeshow together. It’ll be a hoot!!
Such a descriptive and well rounded blog, I could have been there with you the whole time! I do love the use of velvet as a punch of texture differentiation!
Author
Thanks Catherine, that’s exactly what I want to convey, that you got to come along too!! So much to see at shows but it’s hard when there is a “day job” in there too.
What a fantastic round-up, Mary! I’m a huge fan of passementerie.and velvet (always have been!), so I loved seeing fringing popping up in so many weird and wonderful designs. You really do have a great eye for spotting and reporting on all the trends!
Author
Thanks Hollie, I do like a trade show. For me, they are a place to geek out a bit! It’s always great when I go back through my photo’s and I spot things I hadn’t noticed when I was pounding the halls
So much gorgeous inspo here! Lots of strong tones in the colour and also lots of really organic almost bubbly forms in furniture. It looks like those earthy warm tones will be around for a while as well!
Author
The colour was so saturated and warm in M&O it was a real joy to see it first hand.
Love your roundup Mary. Loving how our interiors are becoming so intriguing with tactile textures and playful shadows!
Author
I like the idea of pattern through shadow and dappled light so much. I have an old Morrocan brass pendant that casts the most amazing shadows – unfortunately, it’s damaged so destined to be passed on when I eventually redecorate my bedroom.
Another great round up Mary I am a particular fan of the Rattan and loved the bit of jumbo cord I spotted I am holding out for big things for jumbo cord
Author
I have to say I’m quite excited about jumbo cord too, it’s a wonderful tactile alternative to velvet.
What a great report Mary – you must have had a brilliant time seeing so much great design. I love the statement headboard – that lozenge shape seems keep popping up in a lot of designs. I am surprised to see that fringing is still going strong this year.