Header: Leonor Gomes
Maison et Objet is a design fair that has been a permanent mark on the calendars of design enthusiasts worldwide for three decades now. At this fair, design innovations and business relations flourish with almost no effort, where design in all its forms finds a home, and for just five days each year, the creativity of the world is brought together in one compact, powerful event.
Held in Paris and marking its 30th anniversary, this year’s Maison et Objet focused on Terra-Cosmos, a blend of cosmic inspiration with earthly, natural elements. This theme guided much of the designs showcased across the event, focussing on how futuristic concepts and natural materials can coexist in modern design.
Terra-Cosmos
The Terra-Cosmos theme pushed forward the interesting balance between futurism and nature, reflecting the idea that design should bridge the gap between technological advancement and our natural world. The theme was all about mixing both the cosmic—our dreams of outer space, new worlds, and exploration—and the terrestrial, where earthy materials and sustainability take the central stage. Designers were encouraged to explore how their work could reflect these elements, which resulted in immersive experiences and environments that responded to consumers’ desire for more holistic and sensory-driven spaces.
Exploring the Halls
Hall 2 was centred around the Smart Gift concept, showcasing a wide range of creative objects perfect for any of your loved ones, be it the astronomy-obsessed mom or the liberal arts best friend. From funky water bottles to moon lamps that can float for 25 years, this hall is catered to retailers looking for unique products that could offer something different in the competitive gift market. The items range from practical, everyday gifts to more niche options aimed to surprise and engage consumers.
In Hall 3, alongside Kids and Family products and Fashion Accessories, the “What’s New? In Retail” section by François Delclaux is a must of this fair. The section showed how immersive retail experiences can attract customers by sharing several ideas for shop windows, product displays, and point-of-sale setups that align with modern consumer expectations.
Hall 4 focused on culinary design and the idea of Cook & Share, putting the spotlight on both high-quality cookware and stylish dining musts. Here, visitors were able to explore how design can enhance the cooking and dining experience, turning cooking into more than a task: it becomes an experience that can be shared.
Hall 5 highlighted Home Accessories and Fragrances, the focus being on how the senses can influence our perceptions. From decor to home fragrances, this hall was all about how design can enhance the atmosphere and mood of a space. Craftsmanship and sustainability were also in the spotlight, with many items reflecting the fair’s emphasis on natural materials and eco-friendly design.
Hall 6 showcased some of the most important sections of the fair. The Rising Talents Awards celebrated young designers from Nordic countries who are focused on taking advantage of sustainable production methods and materials to create furniture that is both functional and avant-garde. The Future on Stage section gave the stage to three young companies that, through eco-friendly materials and forward-thinking technology, presented their innovative solutions for the future of design. Hall Six keeps up with the theme by acting as a lens into the future of design, showing that the emphasis of the next generations of designers will most probably be on sustainability and durability.
Also here, “What’s New? In Hospitality”, curated by Lionel Jadot, the 2024 Designer of the Year, was one of the highlights. This section explored how hotels and restaurants can evolve, focussing on multifunctional spaces and sharing ideas for transforming lobbies, dining areas, and social spaces into places that provide unique experiences for guests, all while blending luxury with sustainability.
In Hall 7B, the Unique and Eclectic park featured the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen collection, which paid homage to the famous Paris flea markets. Hall 7A, on the other hand, was home to the “What’s New? In Decor” section, curated by Elizabeth Leriche, which gave visitors insight into the latest interior design trends. This space served as a guide for interior designers and retailers, showing them the many materials, colours, and textures that are currently shaping the future of decor. The Light Trend 2024, curated by Akari-Lisa Ishii and Motoko Ishii, also in Hall 7A, explored the innovations in lighting design and how lighting can affect mood and design itself.
The business meet-and-greet
Beyond the designs and trends, Maison et Objet is a platform for building business connections. Designers come here not only to showcase their work but also to make important connections with retailers, buyers, and business partners. The fair fosters an environment where networking is easy, allowing designers to reach new markets, retailers to discover new products, and buyers to find the next big trend. This makes the fair a must-event for those in the industry, not just as a hub where the entire creativity of the world is tightly held but also as the perfect platform to enter fruitful, long-term partnerships.
