10 Trends for 2019 You Need to Know From Maison & Objet in Paris
Values, colours, 'transgenerationality' and more: here's what we learned at the latest edition of the international fair
Agnès Carpentier
15 September 2018
Held twice a year in Paris, Maison & Objet is one of the biggest international fairs for professionals working in lifestyle, interior decor and design. Held from 7 to 11 September 2018, this year’s second edition of the fair did its best to amaze visitors with a completely revamped layout that underscored its twin thematic pillars: the house (la maison) and the object (l’objet). September’s fair attracted 3,000 brands and over 90,000 buyers, half of whom were international. Of course, Houzz editors were on the scene, scouting the aisles for the trends to watch in the coming year.
1. An event held in the name of virtue
There was an awareness at the latest Maison & Objet that we produce too much, and too many disposable objects in particular. Our environment is polluted and the wellbeing of people and animals is not always respected. A theme of this fair questioned if capitalism is capable of offering us security and comfort in the future. Faced with such pressing concerns, which are shared by so many people around the world, it is important to sound the alarm about our futures and how we produce and consume.
Each year, Maison & Objet selects an expert to present his or her view of consumer trends at the fair’s Inspirational Forum. This year they chose Vincent Grégoire, trend spotter at the innovation and creativity agency NellyRodi, who drew our attention to the ‘virtuous’ theme. His exhibition featured a ‘village’ made up of six ‘houses’, each of which introduces the viewer to a different theme: materials, child labour, the human involvement in production, recycling, veganism and responsibility.
There was an awareness at the latest Maison & Objet that we produce too much, and too many disposable objects in particular. Our environment is polluted and the wellbeing of people and animals is not always respected. A theme of this fair questioned if capitalism is capable of offering us security and comfort in the future. Faced with such pressing concerns, which are shared by so many people around the world, it is important to sound the alarm about our futures and how we produce and consume.
Each year, Maison & Objet selects an expert to present his or her view of consumer trends at the fair’s Inspirational Forum. This year they chose Vincent Grégoire, trend spotter at the innovation and creativity agency NellyRodi, who drew our attention to the ‘virtuous’ theme. His exhibition featured a ‘village’ made up of six ‘houses’, each of which introduces the viewer to a different theme: materials, child labour, the human involvement in production, recycling, veganism and responsibility.
“It’s up to each of us to do good, to be involved in a virtuous cycle in order to get others to join, rather than to impose change on them,” Grégoire says. “With this theme, ‘virtuous’, I sowed small seeds and would like to see them grow. I’m sure these values will bring generations together.”
2. The colours of nature
This year more than ever, the trade show’s palette was colourful and all about nature, centred on muted shades of green, beige, salmon and tawny yellow-orange hues.
One of the fair’s panel discussions addressed whether or not colour governs our senses and the speakers answered unanimously in the affirmative. For chef Thierry Marx, “colour is a source of seduction”. Abigail Bruce of the Pantone Colour Institute says, “the colour of the year we select reflects an emotion and a world aspiration”. According to Mathilde de l’Ecotais, reporter and culinary arts enthusiast, “nature inspires us and we do nothing but try to reproduce its colours over and over”.
Oslo Canapé three-seater sofa and Five Pouf by Anderssen & Voll: Muuto; Around table: Muuto
This year more than ever, the trade show’s palette was colourful and all about nature, centred on muted shades of green, beige, salmon and tawny yellow-orange hues.
One of the fair’s panel discussions addressed whether or not colour governs our senses and the speakers answered unanimously in the affirmative. For chef Thierry Marx, “colour is a source of seduction”. Abigail Bruce of the Pantone Colour Institute says, “the colour of the year we select reflects an emotion and a world aspiration”. According to Mathilde de l’Ecotais, reporter and culinary arts enthusiast, “nature inspires us and we do nothing but try to reproduce its colours over and over”.
Oslo Canapé three-seater sofa and Five Pouf by Anderssen & Voll: Muuto; Around table: Muuto
3. Updated tableware
Tableware also seemed to be highly influenced by this search for colour. In 2019, we will hold back on the ubiquitous white plates and take the risk of “provoking emotion and giving a memory to the ephemeral,” says Marx, by serving food on coloured dishes to enhance our cuisine. This follows Japanese traditions, where each food is placed in dialogue with the dish it is served on, like miso soup in its red-lacquered bowl.
Where Do Colour Trends Come From?
Tableware also seemed to be highly influenced by this search for colour. In 2019, we will hold back on the ubiquitous white plates and take the risk of “provoking emotion and giving a memory to the ephemeral,” says Marx, by serving food on coloured dishes to enhance our cuisine. This follows Japanese traditions, where each food is placed in dialogue with the dish it is served on, like miso soup in its red-lacquered bowl.
Where Do Colour Trends Come From?
4. An abundance of plants
It will surprise no one that greenery has always held a special place in decor, in terms of colour as already noted, but also in the inclusion of indoor plants, bouquets of dried flowers and large frescos and murals. Exotic plants have enjoyed a place of honour in recent years, but now more local vegetation, such as bouquets of hydrangeas, are coming to the fore to assuage our busy lives.
Misty Forest wallpaper: Rebel Walls
It will surprise no one that greenery has always held a special place in decor, in terms of colour as already noted, but also in the inclusion of indoor plants, bouquets of dried flowers and large frescos and murals. Exotic plants have enjoyed a place of honour in recent years, but now more local vegetation, such as bouquets of hydrangeas, are coming to the fore to assuage our busy lives.
Misty Forest wallpaper: Rebel Walls
5. Comfort!
‘Comfort’ was selected as the main theme for the previous edition of the fair, and it was by no means abandoned at this event. In this edition, the theme was developed further in sofa design. We saw a lot of large, enveloping padded cushions as well as ultra-soft velvets to warm up the coming European winter.
Browse more contemporary living rooms
‘Comfort’ was selected as the main theme for the previous edition of the fair, and it was by no means abandoned at this event. In this edition, the theme was developed further in sofa design. We saw a lot of large, enveloping padded cushions as well as ultra-soft velvets to warm up the coming European winter.
Browse more contemporary living rooms
6. International touches
While it is important to maintain local traditions and encourage local production, people still dream about distant lands. South American woven wool, charpoy benches from India, handicrafts from Senufo populations in West Africa, quatrefoil designs from Islamic traditions and creased lamps inspired by Japanese origami will be valued interior pieces in 2019. There was a strong sentiment to stay away from standardised design and instead purchase fair-trade products.
While it is important to maintain local traditions and encourage local production, people still dream about distant lands. South American woven wool, charpoy benches from India, handicrafts from Senufo populations in West Africa, quatrefoil designs from Islamic traditions and creased lamps inspired by Japanese origami will be valued interior pieces in 2019. There was a strong sentiment to stay away from standardised design and instead purchase fair-trade products.
7. Authenticity
Handmade products are popular and make it possible to both accessorise and customise spaces. Those who do not really have a knack for DIY can focus on handcrafted objects that champion local traditions, bring a touch of originality and, above all, convey an extra degree of authenticity. This year, textiles have a hand-woven look, bottles appear hand-blown and pottery looks wheel-turned.
Plaids: Living with Bloomingville
Handmade products are popular and make it possible to both accessorise and customise spaces. Those who do not really have a knack for DIY can focus on handcrafted objects that champion local traditions, bring a touch of originality and, above all, convey an extra degree of authenticity. This year, textiles have a hand-woven look, bottles appear hand-blown and pottery looks wheel-turned.
Plaids: Living with Bloomingville
8. Tributes to the past
Some complain that design won’t stop looking backwards in search of inspiration. Pieces from the 1950s and Art Deco motifs still take centre stage and flood contemporary interiors through wallpaper, armchairs, sideboards and other storage units. But shouldn’t we instead look at this as a tribute to older generations and a desire to build ties rather than break them?
Décors ‘1925’ wallpaper: Papermint
Some complain that design won’t stop looking backwards in search of inspiration. Pieces from the 1950s and Art Deco motifs still take centre stage and flood contemporary interiors through wallpaper, armchairs, sideboards and other storage units. But shouldn’t we instead look at this as a tribute to older generations and a desire to build ties rather than break them?
Décors ‘1925’ wallpaper: Papermint
9. Sophisticated touches
Velvet stools on brass pedestals and green-marble coffee tables with extra-thin legs are in vogue this year, adding a touch of sophistication to our interiors. These are good examples of how new-generation design can innovate on materials and forms inspired by the past. Long live ‘transgenerationality’!
Large and small tables by by David Hodkinson: Red Edition France
Velvet stools on brass pedestals and green-marble coffee tables with extra-thin legs are in vogue this year, adding a touch of sophistication to our interiors. These are good examples of how new-generation design can innovate on materials and forms inspired by the past. Long live ‘transgenerationality’!
Large and small tables by by David Hodkinson: Red Edition France
10. And if we had to choose just one object from this year’s fair?
It would be something that is practical, well-designed, easy to live with and reminiscent of school chairs from our childhoods. It exhibits the colour palette of the year and it can be used both indoors and out. In short, it is good in every way.
One unmissable presence at this year’s fair was a metal chair with horizontal metal bands and thin cylindrical legs. Several companies, like Adico and Petite Friture, exhibited current versions of this coveted object.
Copenhagen City Chaise chair ensemble: Einrichten Design
It would be something that is practical, well-designed, easy to live with and reminiscent of school chairs from our childhoods. It exhibits the colour palette of the year and it can be used both indoors and out. In short, it is good in every way.
One unmissable presence at this year’s fair was a metal chair with horizontal metal bands and thin cylindrical legs. Several companies, like Adico and Petite Friture, exhibited current versions of this coveted object.
Copenhagen City Chaise chair ensemble: Einrichten Design
Tell us
Which trends from Maison & Objet take your fancy? Tell us in the Comments, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
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Find an interior designer on Houzz
Which trends from Maison & Objet take your fancy? Tell us in the Comments, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Find an interior designer on Houzz
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I agree that appreciating the qualities of a piece from the past as in Wabi Sabi is so important for the future health of our planet. Consumerism still has a benefit to me however when I can collect value items off the pavement at Council Clean up times! Especially in high end property areas. My home is all pre and present loved!
Being “virtuous” would surely include not having something shipped from the other side of the plantet. Keep it local & keep it simple.
Cool trends and hope some of them will stay. Especially being "virtuous" in reducing carbon footprint products and source locally instead.