Naturally does it

Ever heard of “cottagecore”?  It is a trend that has garnered over 3.9 billion TikTok hashtags and 2.7 million Instagram posts. The images appear to have come straight from an episode of Little House on the Prairie, presenting an idealised take on rural life awash with a sea of Liberty prints and warmed by the constant blaze of an open fire. But it has to be said that as well as inspiring city dwellers to up sticks and move to the country, the trend is also helping reinforce an overriding desire to unwind, get back to basics, cosy up in cocoon-like surroundings and reconnect with the elements.
Rather than shining a light on these pastoral and somewhat outdated fantasies, Elizabeth Leriche has chosen to explore the rather more stimulating and optimistic way in which design is catering to these new aspirations. Getting “back to nature” is no longer seen as a renunciation, but rather as an opportunity for renewal, and January’s ‘What’s New?’ zone will see Leriche stage this subtle, stirring and reassuring infusion of nature reawakened within the home.

“Nature has always provided endless inspiration. Think of Lalique, for example,” explains the director of the eponymous style consultancy. “And we crave it more than ever now that we’re living increasingly urban lives. It is a need that has been brought into sharper focus now that we’re all trying to be more responsible consumers and striving to reconnect with the rhythm of nature.” It is one of the concepts she is set to explore through her Elements of Nature exhibition, which will whisk us off on a sensory journey taking in three different themes. Each one will invite us to (re)connect with the elements that are fuelling the formal, symbolic and poetic creativity of contemporary makers, artists and designers.

Floating pendant lights from Canadian design studio Molo, plates resembling watercolours in green or blue hues from Jars, puddle-like tables crafted from wood and resin by Julien Lagueste, and Slowdesign’s Lava mirror are just some of the objects that feature as part of the first theme, “Contemplative Nature”, which evokes air and water. “It’s about airiness, fluidity, pared-back spaces,” explains Leriche. “About doing away with excess. Getting back to basics is all about being more demanding consumers and embracing understated pieces that employ transparency, for example.” The very kinds of pieces that can be found at Glas Italia or HK living.

“Essential Nature”, meanwhile, taps into the artisan revival and the growing interest in locally crafted wares, often typical of a region or a country, and is largely inspired by the items exhibited in the trade fair’s Craft sector. “Fine craft artists and designer-makers sometimes take fragments of nature and then give them their very own spin,” comments the lady who tracks and deciphers emerging trends. “New life is breathed into techniques such as wood carving, weaving or rattan work, placing heritage crafts firmly back in the spotlight and giving them a new, creative twist by focusing on beautiful, heart warming materials.”Pascal Oudet’s delicate wooden lace lights, vases and bowls all fall within this remit, as do the precious ceramics adorned with woven leather crafted by Silver Sentimenti. The deep-pile rugs from Ames, meanwhile, whose motifs are evocative of a zen garden, and Teixidors’ snuggly Merino wool blankets and cashmere throws all flaunt neutral, soothing tones, creating what feels like a warm and very welcome design hug.

The poetic and artistic side of design truly comes to the fore in “Sculptural Nature”, with the objects all exuding a decidedly mineral vibe. They are crafted from Travertine marble at Giobagnara, blackened wood at Ethnicraft, and even concrete or resin worked in a resolutely brutalist fashion, with imperfections and irregularities at times imbuing the designs with sensitivity and emotion.

Like a tiny “fragment” of Maison&Objet, once the trade fair closes its doors this triptych will fly off to Japan, where it will be exhibited in three different stores belonging to the iconic Takashimaya chain. Artisan expertise, natural materials, sobriety, pared-back spaces... the installation sings from a hymn sheet that the Japanese already know well. Only this time, they will be hearing the beat of a different drum - that of the one-of-a-kind lifestyle celebrated by the Parisian trade fair and its exhibitors.