Meta sensible
Published on 8 June 2022
With its “Meta sensible” theme, the September edition of Maison&Objet reconciles the seemingly contradictory aspirations of our time, torn between a yearning to escape to an idealised digital environment and a desire to fully embrace the real world. “The physical world is no longer in opposition with its digital counterpart. Better still, the two worlds merge and cross-fertilise, mutually enhancing each other”, analyses Vincent Grégoire from the NellyRodi agency, who forged the concept.
Pop-esque utopia and multi-sensory experiences
On the one hand, the brands present have drawn inspiration from the fantasy worlds that started springing up as lockdowns ended and the Metaverse began gaining traction. These interiors flaunt soft hues and almost surreal curvaceous silhouettes, inspiring designers and design houses alike. The latter see the home as a comfortable cocoon, where bubble-gum-style furnishings are dressed in a cloak of iridescent hues. Prime examples would be the sofas from Italian brand Saba, which are retailed in NFT form, or the rounded lines of the latest vividly colored creations presented by Mojow or Pols Potten. At the other end of the spectrum, we are witnessing a return to natural materials and textures, artisan pieces and craftsmanship. Absolute musts for anyone keen to catch this trend at the trade fair include the glass seats from &Klevering and Maison Dada’s ceramics that look good enough to eat.
Once again this year, Maison&Objet will be the place to tap into tomorrow’s trends. The 'What's New?' section will notably present three inspiration spaces: “Utopia Now” by François Delclaux, “Color Power” by Elizabeth Leriche, and “Kaleido-scope” by François Bernard. The three trend-spotters are returning to the trade fair once more to share their hottest finds for the autumn season. Maison&Objet Paris is also set to shine a light on up-and-coming talent with the “Future on Stage” label, which will honour three new design houses that have emerged following the pandemic.
Hall 3, which will focus on food, is set to be yet another of this edition’s absolute musts. It will play host to “Waww la table”, which will offer an invigorating insight into the world of tableware, using fanciful installations to demonstrate just how much traditions have changed. The design house has also invited the jury that judges its table setting contest (India Mahdavi, Thierry Marx and Stéphane Bern) to share their insight during a special talk at Maison&Objet. The “Cook & Share” show sector, meanwhile, will give visitors a rare opportunity to share a kitchen with some of the culinary world’s rising stars hand-picked by Gault&Millau.
