Big Trends From Maison & Objet 2021
The recent Paris trade fair highlighted home and decor trends coming out of the pandemic
Maison & Objet returned to Paris this month (Sept. 9-13, 2021) after having been canceled twice due to the pandemic. This long-awaited edition highlighted many of the big trends spurred by the pandemic, which continues to define home design in our new normal. The event’s theme, Desirable Development, goes straight to the heart of the subject as the environment becomes more important.
What’s New area, Leisure theme, To Protect display
“Today, consumers are conscious of global warming, of the need to limit their consumption and its waste and carbon footprint,” Grégoire says. “From now on, the idea is to place desire once again at the heart of these environmental stakes, by avoiding catastrophizing discourse or assigning blame.
“Desirable development responds to a subtle equilibrium that translates to a lifestyle in harmony with nature, by leaning on technologies while preserving traditional know-how. From now on we will talk about alternative consumption, rather than de-consumption.”
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“Today, consumers are conscious of global warming, of the need to limit their consumption and its waste and carbon footprint,” Grégoire says. “From now on, the idea is to place desire once again at the heart of these environmental stakes, by avoiding catastrophizing discourse or assigning blame.
“Desirable development responds to a subtle equilibrium that translates to a lifestyle in harmony with nature, by leaning on technologies while preserving traditional know-how. From now on we will talk about alternative consumption, rather than de-consumption.”
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What’s New area, Share theme, New Rustic display
The theme was interpreted in a variety of ways throughout the fair, notably in the new products exhibited in the What’s New space. François Delclaux, the director of style and forecasting agency Un Nouvel Air, curated a selection called New Rustic, where he gathered vernacular, authentic and rustic objects, paying attention to their origin and manufacture.
Delclaux says that in the future we will consider a product’s place and method of manufacture, as well as social and environmental responsibility. He says that words such as AOC, or appellation d’origine contrôllée, traceability and proximity, that come from the food world, will spill over to the world of objects.
9 Trends That Could Change Home Design
The theme was interpreted in a variety of ways throughout the fair, notably in the new products exhibited in the What’s New space. François Delclaux, the director of style and forecasting agency Un Nouvel Air, curated a selection called New Rustic, where he gathered vernacular, authentic and rustic objects, paying attention to their origin and manufacture.
Delclaux says that in the future we will consider a product’s place and method of manufacture, as well as social and environmental responsibility. He says that words such as AOC, or appellation d’origine contrôllée, traceability and proximity, that come from the food world, will spill over to the world of objects.
9 Trends That Could Change Home Design
Zuiver stand. Photo by Claire Tardy.
Brands also demonstrated their sustainable approaches at the show. Recyclable and recycled materials had a larger presence and were used in innovative ways. Zuiver’s The Ocean Chair, for example, was created in partnership with the APE studio out of recycled plastic waste and a 100% recyclable metal structure. Alongside it was a bamboo lamp equipped with a jute shade and a recycled plastic table recalling an old roll of film from a camera, dreamed up in collaboration with The Good Plastic Co.
There was also an infatuation with cardboard, preferably recycled, used creatively for decorative or ordinary objects and even some pieces of furniture.
10 Sustainable Features to Consider for Your Next Project
Brands also demonstrated their sustainable approaches at the show. Recyclable and recycled materials had a larger presence and were used in innovative ways. Zuiver’s The Ocean Chair, for example, was created in partnership with the APE studio out of recycled plastic waste and a 100% recyclable metal structure. Alongside it was a bamboo lamp equipped with a jute shade and a recycled plastic table recalling an old roll of film from a camera, dreamed up in collaboration with The Good Plastic Co.
There was also an infatuation with cardboard, preferably recycled, used creatively for decorative or ordinary objects and even some pieces of furniture.
10 Sustainable Features to Consider for Your Next Project
Roman metal vases from Pols Potten
The environmental theme also was translated into a need to reconnect with nature, which was expressed in the color palette popular this year. The main shades highlighted at the fair seem to make up an autumn bouquet, with hues running from red to yellow and touching on terra cotta and ocher. These warm colors also speak to our need for well-being in interiors.
The environmental theme also was translated into a need to reconnect with nature, which was expressed in the color palette popular this year. The main shades highlighted at the fair seem to make up an autumn bouquet, with hues running from red to yellow and touching on terra cotta and ocher. These warm colors also speak to our need for well-being in interiors.
What’s New area, Leisure theme, To Be Home display
The New Rules of Work
With working from home and hybrid work arrangements going mainstream, office issues were explored widely. Seminars discussed the way the office is changing and solutions for creating a more convivial and interactive professional framework. The topics of working from home and office decor were also explored throughout the fair.
For example, in the What’s New space, Elizabeth Leriche’s exhibit To Be Home presented a selection of office objects, with pens and notebooks in decor oriented around calligraphy.
The New Rules of Work
With working from home and hybrid work arrangements going mainstream, office issues were explored widely. Seminars discussed the way the office is changing and solutions for creating a more convivial and interactive professional framework. The topics of working from home and office decor were also explored throughout the fair.
For example, in the What’s New space, Elizabeth Leriche’s exhibit To Be Home presented a selection of office objects, with pens and notebooks in decor oriented around calligraphy.
Puik stand
A Touch of Nostalgia
The many pieces exhibited at manufacturer’s stands demonstrated the return of materials and colors used in decoration in the ‘70s. Thus, this year’s palette placed burnt orange and moss green in the lead spot, while the most popular materials included ribbed velvet, curly wool, marble and terrazzo.
Leriche explained this trend at the beginning of the year during the Digital Talks, the digital event that replaced the January 2021 edition of Maison & Objet. “The lifestyle of this era is well loved, doubtlessly because the young generations are nostalgic for these happy years when everything was permitted. There is a desire for a less formal, more relaxed and more convivial lifestyle,” she says.
Likewise, the way colors are put together evolved with the big return of color blocking, which is reminiscent of 1980s and ‘90s fashion. The colors clash in contrasting blocks on walls, furniture and accessories.
A Touch of Nostalgia
The many pieces exhibited at manufacturer’s stands demonstrated the return of materials and colors used in decoration in the ‘70s. Thus, this year’s palette placed burnt orange and moss green in the lead spot, while the most popular materials included ribbed velvet, curly wool, marble and terrazzo.
Leriche explained this trend at the beginning of the year during the Digital Talks, the digital event that replaced the January 2021 edition of Maison & Objet. “The lifestyle of this era is well loved, doubtlessly because the young generations are nostalgic for these happy years when everything was permitted. There is a desire for a less formal, more relaxed and more convivial lifestyle,” she says.
Likewise, the way colors are put together evolved with the big return of color blocking, which is reminiscent of 1980s and ‘90s fashion. The colors clash in contrasting blocks on walls, furniture and accessories.
What’s New area, Share theme, Artystudio display
Leriche explored this idea in the What’s New space with a selection of decorative objects showcased in her Artystudio exhibit. Here, she highlighted the importance of artistic references in the decor world, as well as a keen interest on the part of the younger generation in taking inspiration from the works of Matisse, Picasso or Calder. She sees this expressed in motifs evoking the artistic currents of the 20th century, like splatter or drip techniques, and free forms.
Leriche explored this idea in the What’s New space with a selection of decorative objects showcased in her Artystudio exhibit. Here, she highlighted the importance of artistic references in the decor world, as well as a keen interest on the part of the younger generation in taking inspiration from the works of Matisse, Picasso or Calder. She sees this expressed in motifs evoking the artistic currents of the 20th century, like splatter or drip techniques, and free forms.
Sculpture in wood by Maxime Perrolle. Photo from Maxime Perrolle.
A Quest for the Unique
Craft was also highlighted this year, visible in the quest for one-of-a-kind pieces. What better place than the fair’s craft hall to soak this trend in? We spotted new ways of working wood that are more subtle, delicate and detailed. Maxime Perrolle, for example, turns wood to sculpt objects according to traditional knowledge. This technique has the particular characteristic of leaving its marks on the final product to make a unique object.
A Quest for the Unique
Craft was also highlighted this year, visible in the quest for one-of-a-kind pieces. What better place than the fair’s craft hall to soak this trend in? We spotted new ways of working wood that are more subtle, delicate and detailed. Maxime Perrolle, for example, turns wood to sculpt objects according to traditional knowledge. This technique has the particular characteristic of leaving its marks on the final product to make a unique object.
What’s New, Share « Sculptural »
François Bernard, founder and president of the Croisements agency, addressed the theme Sculptural in his What’s New exhibit. He highlighted individual objects presented like unique pieces that draw curiosity. In his selections, he focused on objects with a post-organic aesthetic, where the angles, facets and clipped lines replace curves and kidney shapes. “We acquire them because no one else has them! This is proof that the home remains a place of personal expression,” Bernard says.
All in all, this edition of the fair focused on the new normal after COVID-19: sustainability, new ways of working and the new value placed on traditional and local knowledge.
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François Bernard, founder and president of the Croisements agency, addressed the theme Sculptural in his What’s New exhibit. He highlighted individual objects presented like unique pieces that draw curiosity. In his selections, he focused on objects with a post-organic aesthetic, where the angles, facets and clipped lines replace curves and kidney shapes. “We acquire them because no one else has them! This is proof that the home remains a place of personal expression,” Bernard says.
All in all, this edition of the fair focused on the new normal after COVID-19: sustainability, new ways of working and the new value placed on traditional and local knowledge.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Desirable Development
International style agency Nelly Rodi chose Desirable Development as the theme for this edition of the fair. “Until now, sustainable development was often a moralizing injunction. Desirable development puts pleasure first while respecting nature in a beneficial approach. It’s an idea that is at once positive and creative,” says Vincent Grégoire, the agency’s director of forecasting.