Mon Dieu, the French do things with style! With the Olympics wrapped and the Paralympics still in swing, the City of Lights (literally) switched them on for Maison & Objet from 5th – 9th September 2024.
One of the most important interior design trade events in the world, the 30th edition of Maison & Objet featured 2,300+ exhibitors across interiors and decor. The trade fair takes place at Parc des Expositions, in conjunction with Paris Design Week; a satellite event of design activations in showrooms and galleries across the city. With around 54,000 professional design visitors, the 2024 event overflowed with inspiration.
Maison & Objet was also the original inspiration for Decor + Design, Australia’s premier interior design trade event. We marked twenty years in 2024 with the successful launch of the Green Design Show, and can’t wait for our next edition, Elements, which will take place at Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 16 – 18 July 2025.
In the meantime, over the next few weeks we’ll be unpacking some of the major trends from Maison & Objet. C’etait fantastique!
EXPLORING TERRA COSMOS
The overarching theme of Maison & Objet in 2024 was Terra Cosmos, a voyage into the cross-section between space, technology, materials and magic. A motif of the otherworldly and mystical hovered throughout the trade fair, from objets influenced by the moon and arid mineral landscapes, to crystals and pagan earthenware.
Curator François Delclaux said that Terra Cosmos can be defined as: “first and foremost, ideas which play on raw minerality, in reference to lunar or Martian vistas.” Artist Elizabeth Leriche also curated an installation around the theme, which used pieces from exhibitors to illustrate the different elements – Lunar, Solar and Galactic.
Terra Cosmos Installation, Elizabeth Leriche at Maison & Objet 2024. Photos: Skye Rytenskild for Decor + Design.
STONE
Another Neolithic era has certainly dawned in the design world. Experimentation with both natural stone decorative pieces and surfaces elevated former approaches to stone.
We loved the stone objets below from Editions Milano (also pictured in feature image of this article). Their gorgeous stand was a highlight of the Signature hall at Maison & Objet. This high-end area of the fair also featured beautiful surfaces from the French brand Stoneleaf.
Editions Milano (right) and Stoneleaf (left) at Maison & Objet. Photos: Skye Rytenskild for Decor + Design.
A thin sheet of natural stone mixed with fibreglass and resin, Stoneleaf can be used for interiors and exteriors and is also available in a Translucent material which can be backlit. It makes it a beautiful solution for walls, ceilings, furniture, pools, showers and more.
SCULPTURAL LIGHTING
Stone and ceramics were also prevalent in lighting this year, which particularly showcased a wild beauty in lamps.
We loved the organic and quirky lights from Sofia Karnukaeva. A Barcelona-based artist and architect, Sofia interprets the world around her through form and materiality, translating the abstract into the tangible.
Giles Caffier also takes inspiration from natural shapes. The renowned French designer’s stand mesmerised with stunning, undulating lamps that have soft and sensual lines and also an impeccable production quality. The Maison & Objet Factory exhibition also featured sculptural, Neolithic lighting from emerging designers.
Sculptural lighting from Sofia Karnukaeva, Giles Caffer (top left) and Maison & Objet Factory. Photos: Skye Rytenskild for Decor + Design.
GALACTIC GLIMPSES
According to Elizabeth Leriche, who curated one of the Terra Cosmos installations at Maison & Objet: “only with our eyes on the stars and our feet firmly planted on the ground can we be in touch with the universe.”
Humanity’s inexorable search for meaning and connection has recently taken shape in pervasive interest in astrology and esoteric spiritual practices. “Lithiotherapy and astrology are real market trends,” says Mélanie Leroy, Managing Director of Maison&Objet. For the uninitiated, lithiotherapy is the ancient practice of using stones, crystals and minerals to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. From Rose Quartz vases to crystal pendant lighting, consumers are incorporating the otherworldly into their interiors. It can also be a more literal interpretation, such as these two lamps from 101 Copenhagen and I-Total.
Cloud Lamp from 101 Copenhagen | Lava Lamp from I-Total. Image: Maison & Objet
We’ll be bringing you more trends from Maison & Objet over the next few weeks, plus releasing more information on what’s in store at Decor + Design 2025: Elements. Subscribe now to stay in the know!