trends
MAIS ON & O BJ ET K ey Ta ke o u ts Ra c h e l Wo o d fi ne Tre n dh u b by BDA Lo ndo n
As the first major European tradeshow to take place since March 2020, anticipations were high for Maison & Objet. The need for creative stimulation was greater than ever following 15 months deprived of in-person events. Despite exhibitor and visitor numbers being down, as expected, there was a palpable buzz in the air as brands, buyers and designers descended on Paris’ Villepinte Exhibition centre. BDA London’s Trendhub team were in attendance to scope out the latest trends across home and interiors.
Three overriding design threads were evident across the show—nature, craft and comfort—each of which showcased themes we’ve seen accelerated by the pandemic—a reflection of how consumers have been spending and reprioritising their time. Perhaps the most visible of these themes, reconnecting with nature, rekindles emotional attachments to the outdoors, bringing nature indoors through colour, texture, print and form. Raw canvas tones and rich earthens with a natural feel dominated textiles, while lush greens came through in dinnerware and decorative items in particular. Organic designs featuring mushrooms and wild flowers decorated soft furnishings, while colourful
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bugs updated kid’s bedroom sets. Fossilised forms and organically informed shapes came through across decorative objects and lighting. ‘Living’ textures created through mottled finishes had a microbial look, while ‘dripping’ metal forms and hairy textures created a sense of movement. Faux, dried and preserved flowers continue to be key for dressing sets and complementing decorative product offerings, with more luxurious architectural stems coming through. The inclusion of dried edible elements including tomatoes, peppers and berries added an unusual conversational update. Pieces with a handcrafted look and feel had the appearance of being