Maison et Objet starts this week: it runs from the 17th January (Friday) to the 21st January. It is a big event if you combine what is happening in Paris itself with the Parc des Expositions, so it is vital to plan ahead. Click here to see who is exhibiting at the main event. You can print out your selection alphabetically or by hall. There is also an app available from Google Play and the AppStore.
Exhibits in Paris itself
There are two concentrations under a single umbrella, Paris Déco Off... (click here). Click here for the map and list of exhibitors. It does not include everything, however. There are key brands who use their existing showrooms in Paris (see the foot of this email).
Which lighting stands at the Fair should you plan to visit?
The answer is, virtually none. This is extraordinary: ten years ago, Maison et Objet (both the January and the September editions), were essential. We would always go to both. Then we only went to the January one, and over the last couple of years we have not bothered to go at all. It is still an essential event for interior designers interested in a wide range of products, but not for lighting specialists.(NB lighting designers, this is not a show for you.The only architectural lighting is Tekna's Flatspot—see below.) Looking back at the guides that I used to circulate, many key brands are not there any more, and those that are are mostly no longer relevant to what UK studios want.
Why is this?
A great subject for discussion over a formidable or two! But one reason is that most of the lighting exhibitors are French, and the French do charming, decorative, figurative, quirky, joyous, colourful—all attributes that we are no longer asked for.
Is there one stand that absolutely must not be missed?
Yes, vraiment “***vaut le voyage”! That is the Belgian brand, Tekna, who will be showing their indoor and outdoor decorative lighting, (Nautic), and their architectural collection, (Flatspot). Once stalwarts of M&O, they have been absent for a couple of years as the new owners have been making comprehensive changes—new factory/offices; new internal procedures, staffing and software; improving and refining the designs—so the fact that they are back represents a major relaunch of a company whose collections have been so important to our clients. Let us know if you’d like to arrange a meeting.
Who else is there?
There is just one major Italian contemporary brand. Fortunately, it is a good one: Martinelli Luce. (Hall 6, stands O82 P81). Brokis, from the Czech Republic, are also there (6, M38 )37). Otherwise, the non-French contemporary stands we'd recommend are from small, crafts-based creators. From Italy, Giopato & Coombes (6, M77) and from Germany, Benjamin Hopf’s Formagenda (6, O123). Ango, by Angus in Thailand, can be found in hall 5A, stands P50 Q49.
What about more traditional, historic, decorative collections?
Patinas from Hungary (7 B194), the glorious Lobmeyr on the city of Vienna's stand (7 C14 D13) and, all things considered, a relatively good showing from Murano: Carlo Moretti (8 A40), NasonMoretti (5A R15) and Gianni Seguso (8 B65). These glass companies may not be showing much—or any—lighting, but all are really worth seeing if you are already at the Fair (i.e.**mérite un détour).
Which French lighting brands should be sought out?
Most are in hall 6, so if you do this area comprehensively, you’ll come across good and relevant ones. But I’d like to highlight our old friends Objet Insolite (8 B87), and the eclectic collections of DCW (including the work of Eric de Dormaël, the founder of Ombre Portée) (6 I16 J15). Amongst the fine work of French artists is the whimsy of Mathieu Challieres and the joyous charm of what Benoît Vieubled does. And, not lighting, but his work is so fascinating I always recommend him, Didier Legros—you’ll locate his stand from afar because it will be the one with the crowds around it!
So who isn’t there who always used to be there?
Well, here are a few examples from my surprisingly long list: Becara and Mis en Demeure (the two massive stands that used to be on the left and right as you entered hall 5A), Art et Floritude, Lasvit, Petite Friture, Roger Pradier, Saint-Louis, Venini….
Does that mean that they are not represented in Paris?
Not necessarily. Some of the most important brands have their own spectacular/beautiful showrooms in the city. Must-sees include:
Baccarat 11 place des États-Unis (an amazing Philippe Starck interior—part museum, part showroom and part fun palace, with talking vases &c. Enjoyed by all, including children!)
Céline Wright 56 rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 75004
Fortuny/Venetia Studium 17 rue Bonaparte, 75006 (the only people authorized to reproduce Fortuny’s designs)
Mis en Demeure 27 rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006
Pouenat Ferronnier 22 bis passage Dauphine, 75006
Veronese 327 rue Saint-Martin 75003 (Paris-based but production on Murano, genuinely—we know who they use!)
Any new brands we could be seeing for the first time?
I like to include one or two brands that only come to our attention when putting these guides together. The downside is, we don’t yet know anything else about them. Catching our eye this time are: Gofi (6 K150) (Cheryl really likes these!), Henri Bursztyn (6 P112, Laurent Trébout (5A L65) and L'Olivier Forge (5A L13).
So, how to plan?
Go to the list of exhibitors and make a list of who you want to see. (Also, click on the names I’ve recommended above to go to their web sites.)
Note the hall(s) they are in. You can’t/won’t want to do every area, so...
...do more thoroughly the hall(s) where there is the biggest concentration (6 in our case). That way, you pick up new relevant stands serendipitously.
If you haven’t been for a while, note that they’ve moved everything around. There are new zones with meaningless names (TODAY, FOREVER &c.), so go by the hall numbers.
Et bon salon!
