Maison & Objet Paris 2011

Maison & Objet is one of the leading European interior design events, covering everything from furniture, home furnishings, lighting, tableware and high end gifts. Going to the show was exhilarating but also overwhelming, just to give you an idea of scale: over 3000 exhibitors, 5 million products from 300,000 different brands. Needless to say attempting to see everything in one day was challenging (I am definitely planning an overnight stay for the next show!)

The above quote from Coco Chanel sums up the essence of the event "La mode se demode, le syle jamais" ("Trends go out of fashion, style never does"). Fashion and Interiors have in common that there is no right or wrong, it is subjective and a way to express one's personality.

The event was a fantastic source of inspiration, an incredible juxtaposition of ultra modern and more traditional design. Mix eclectic, unusual objects and interiors with an enormous amount of creativity and ingenuity and you have M&O.

I decided to include my favourites "finds" by categories, so here is part 1: lighting

Lighting

Pendant/Ceiling lights
Lighting was all about creating a focal point with clusters of ceiling lights, preferably off-centered to add interest. From oriental to industrial, throught to retro, baroque or modern of , here is how to do it...




Missoni home



Hiyoshiya lamp shades

 

Hiyoshiya wall lights




Dialma Brown lights

 

Decor - Home Belgium



Innermost



Koziol





Lambert




Chalieres



Chalieres



Obviously some of these ceiling lights work amazingly as one too - here are more examples:

Forestier lustre Angelus, a classic now but still love it!



Eichholtz



Zoepritz - I love the pigs!



Petite friture: seems to float, starts turning around slowly with the slightest draft


That's it for me today, more on M&O this week: furniture, accessories, home furnishings, etc!

Visit to Chelsea Harbour Design Centre

Over 400 top interior design brands...this is the place to source products with an incredible range of luxurious fabrics, an heavenly mix of beautiful furniture, lighting, flooring, bathrooms, accessories, all in a stunning building with a fab cafe and a dedicated bookshop.
http://www.dcch.co.uk

Just a selection of products/showrooms which caught my imagination:

Top floor by Etsi:
Award-winning Top Floor's rugs are created by founder and Design Director, Esti Barnes who also designs bespoke rugs and carpets for residential and commercial clients.
Princess Gevher rug is incredibly fresh, an immediate update for spring!



This Emmenthal rug is so unique, incredible detail and shades, bit more wintery but hey, it's only Jan:


www.topfloorrugs.com

Porta Romana:

Porta Romana is a UK based atelier devoted to creating objects of beauty, founded by Andrew and Sarah Hills.

I love the Carat Gold Leaf Limited Edition Duck Feet Lamp, super stylish and quirky. Put a smile on my face as I walked in - fun isn't it?
H.20" with 14" Goose Feather shade, H.34". Exists in black, even more divine in my opinion!

http://www.portaromana.co.uk

Lelievre:
A French brand (not being biaised I promise!); an incredible place to source fabrics from all eras including Toile de Jouy etc..,
In Lelievre's showroom you will find Sonya Rykiel Maison range of products, Holland & Sherry and Kenzo fabrics.

Sonya Rykiel has a range bright, colourful fabrics:

The collection also includes super sexy faux-fur cushions and throws:



These cushions are not for the faint hearted but it's incredibly soft and beautiful.
Also exists in brown his would make a fantastic Valentines' present!
www.lelievre.eu


Baker
Loved the Laura Kirar Petalo mirror:

w: 114.3 x D: 11.43
http://www.bakerfurniture.com/


Interior Supply
Interior Supply has a portfolio which boasts some of the top names in European manufacturing such as Poltrona Frau, Fendi Casa, Kenzo Maison, Limited Edition, Giorgetti and Contardi, say no more!

Here is a lamp I spotted in there (more butterflies...)

http://www.interiorsupply.co.uk/


Original BTC England
Fab selection of lighting, from floor lamp to retro table lamp.
One of my favourite, the Stanley Copper below, looks great mixed with vintage on first image but equally chic with a contemporary kitchen (I am  really into Gold & Copper at the moment):

(As displayed in the showroom)

http://www.originalbtc.com/

I also spent some time browsing wallpapers, bathroom furniture and other beauties but keeping this for a post on those specific products, it is getting late and I have an early start tomorrow, going to Maison & Objets in Paris (no I am not excited at all!!!)

Susan Bradley fab decorative shelves

First of all Happy New Year, time seems to go too quickly!
I have been looking for small shelves and these are not just practical, they can become a feature too.

Creep Shelf Ivy

(also exists in green and black)

Creepy Shelf Rose

Again, exists in a wide range of colours to brighten up a room!

And for the kitchen...

A bit quirky and great fun!

Susan Bradley also has a great range of gifts from London icons book ends to clocks, mirrors, jewellery, would definitely recommend checking out

http://www.susanbradley.co.uk/