Didn't make it to Paris for M&O this year? Don't feel left out; nobody else did either. That's because for the first time in history, Maison was held virtually!
photos courtesy of Maison et Objet
It's September in the year of fire and brimstone, and for the most part, we've made it here in one piece. Sure, we've faced some challenges (gross understatement) but onward we go. Now that the initial shock has worn off, we've regrouped, and with face masks securely in place and an arsenal of Purell on hand, we, as a society, are basically going about our business.
In the world of design, ain't nobody got time for a pandemic. Paris Design Week went on as planned (much more on that in my next post), but its main event, Maison et Objet, took the path of social distance and was held virtually. Is anyone surprised? Friendly reminder: these are the folks who overthrew an absolute monarchy. Did you really think they'd call off a famous biannual design fair just because of a plague? I mean, c'mon people. On the contrary, M&O not only rocked it in 2020, but with no moss growing under its feet, is already gearing up for the next show in January 2021.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. From September 4-18, 2020, thousands of showrooms around the world opened their digital doors to exhibit their wares, which, for a design blogger like myself, means a gazillion images to sort through.
Don't worry, though. I've got you covered.
Still, an editor must edit. Not choosing sides or anything, but I'm giving Paris the home team advantage and am therefore limiting this feature to French exhibitors.
So, without further adieu, here are my top 20 picks from Maison et Objet September 2020's "team France":
RONDO OFFICE CHAIR designed by Johannes Scherr, Kai Stania, and Christian Horner; constructed from two organically shaped, jointed wood shells, from Bene.
DECORATIVE WOODEN BOX, made of solid, lacquered Acacia wood with hand-carved ceramic flower that can be scented with an essential oil or concentrated home fragrance, from Anoq.
CASAMANCE HANGING LIGHTS, bright white glass pendants held within brushed brass cages, from Concept Verre.
PINK SQUARE HAND TUFTED RUG, handmade from wool and customizable, from Jory Pradelle.
GABRIEL FAURE DRAWER CHEST, handmade from beech and lined with paper, with brass pull rings, from Moissonnier.
SPOT STOOL designed by Michael Anastassiades; wood circular seat and base held together by parallel metal legs, from Herman Miller.
LAMP "MADEMOISELLE" designed by Sophie Mouton-Perrat and Frédéric Guibrunet; female bust made from paper on pleated base, from Papier A Etres.
TABARKA KILIM CHAIR, vibrant traditional kilim woven tapestry over structural wood frame, from Rock the Kasbah.
QUILT MATTEO TAUPE, hand stitched 100% cotton velvet backed with cotton/linen, with knotted jute thread detailing, from Blanc d'Ivoire.
BALADI MIX, cluster light made from mouthblown recycled glass, from La Maison Dar Dar.
MIND RUG designed by Géraldine Prieur, inspired by the return of 1970s glamour, from Toulemonde Bouchart.
ZULU TRAYS SPRING, handcrafted in South Africa using telephone wire, from As'Arte a sense of crafts.
VASE GRAPPA, dimensional mustard-colored ceramic vase, from Athezza.
AIRLOOP TABLE & BRIDGE designed by Frédéric Sofia; a chic display of steel shaping, wire bending, and hand forging, from Fermob.
PENDANT LAMP SHADE BLACK WOMEN DANCE, handmade with fabric designed by Louise Bourgoin for La Maison Pierre Frey, from Shedo.
ELDORADO UPHOLSTERED VELVET ARMCHAIR, quilted and sloped seat on sun design metal frame suitable for outdoor use, from Honore.
3 GALETS LOW TABLES designed by Luc Jozancy; nested pebble-shaped tables constructed of steel and coated with epoxy powder paint, from Matiere Grise.
TAKE A WAY LANTERN designed by Arik Levy; bamboo lantern equipped with handle for mobility or hanging, from Forestier.
BUREAU JASON MILLENIUM, a sofa that brilliantly honors centuries-old artisan craftsmanship while infusing a modern spin driven by the creative force that is Star Wars, from Maison Taillardat.
STAY DINING ARMCHAIR designed by Sé Collections; a sophisticated and stylish seating solution designed to make every meal a special occasion, from Tonicie's.
See something you like? The links will take you the MOM Maison et Objet page where you can contact the brands directly.
Long live Maison & Objet! Vive la France!
