36 Hrs in Paris: Interior Design at Maison Objet & Paris Deco-Off
Paris is arguably one of the most influential cities when it comes to style, fashion and design – the home of Paris Fashion Week, landmark of architectural masterpieces like the Notre-Dame and Louvre Museum, and a featured setting in many (in my opinion) notable film classics such as the Devil Wears Prada!
Fashion aside, every year the French capital becomes a vibrant hub for Interior Designers, Architects, and design enthusiasts across the globe, during the annual Paris Deco-Off and Maison&Objet exhibitions. Known for inspiring collaborations, forecasting trends and showcasing the latest industry innovations, the events are a must-visit for those in the industry and offer compelling panel discussions, a peak at ‘what’s hot’ and an opportunity to meet established and upcoming designers and suppliers.
Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to visit on the invitation of a Client, and touched down back in the UK 36 hours later, after a whistle-stop tour of everything Maison&Objet and Deco-Off have to offer. Here’s a run-down of what you can expect!
Deco-Off: The Hub of Fabric Houses & Textiles
“The rendez-vous of international interior designers”, Deco-Off was truly a celebration of textiles, luxury fabric houses, and independent artisans, all of whom relocate to the charming streets of Paris for the duration of the week, with inspiring pop-ups and showrooms. The number of smaller showrooms naturally made for a curated and personal feel and offered an opportunity to see and feel fabric first hand, and to engage directly with designers or sale representatives – particularly useful on this occasion as we had some fabrics to source for specific projects.
Of course, that doesn’t mean to say that larger textile labels can’t be found at Deco-Off! On the contrary, established brands recognise the influence of such an event – I was pleasantly surprised to see Liberty occupying a converted gallery, whilst Pierre Frey spread themselves across several neighbouring stores. Others utilise the opportunity to establish and nurture collaborations – Geoffroy Pithon occupied a corner of the Casamance store with live painting, offering his completed paintings to visitors of the store, and one of which now sits proudly in my own home!
I confess, the number of streets may have been a little confusing at times, but fortunately the landmarks were clearly indicated by the amusing use of giant pendants suspended above the cobbled streets (and not to mention I was accompanying seasoned-pros of the event)!
To get the best of the event, I’d recommend utilising the resources they have available on their website (link) so you can plan your route prior to your visit and not find yourself disorientated and wondering aimlessly into a patisserie (though there are worse places to be lost!). You might also want to give thought to the following:
Be Intentional: The streets can be vast, so it’s best to be intentional and remember the reason for your visit, whether it be sourcing for a particular project or establishing relationships with a select few suppliers.
Consider Your Current Projects: Deco-Off is essentially an extensive sample library, so give thought to any current projects prior to your visit, so you know exactly what you’re looking for during your visit. This is your opportunity to utilise the thousands of samples at your fingertips, so don’t be afraid to be tactile!
Networking & Collaboration: If you’ve supplier trade accounts, look out for invites to their evening cocktail parties or networking events. Unfortunately, I was not able to squeeze this into our two-day visit, but they can be an excellent opportunity to meet other peers in the industry.
Maison&Objet: Everything Interior Design Has to Offer
I was warned of the expanse prior to my visit, but I didn’t quite anticipate the sheer scale of Maison&Objet.
Held twice annually, the exhibition encompasses everything in the field of décor, design and lifestyle split out into several halls, including technology, health and wellness, and home fragrance, but as one of the most prestigious design events on the global calendar, I was obviously focused on the areas that catered toward interior design and furnishings. That being said, if you’ve more time, the event lasts five days and a single pass will allow entry on several occasions, so you could easily spend every day there should you wish to explore all areas.
In contrast to Deco-Off, Maison&Objet offers a broader range of suppliers, covering everything from wallcoverings and fabrics to indoor and outdoor furniture, furnishings, technology, accessories the list goes on – all from a diverse collection of designers and emerging talent from across the globe. One particularly memorable exhibit was a full-scale beach club from Guadarte cleverly showcasing their furniture, fabrics and ceramics (though unfortunately without the pool or cocktails!
Whilst the scale of the event can be overwhelming and naturally less personal than Deco-Off, that does not mean to say there is less opportunity for interaction. Suppliers and exhibitors were still more than happy to accommodate our enquiries and talk with us at length about their products, and there are also interactive workshops and panel discussions-a-plenty!
Even though my visit was restricted to just 36 hours, I can understand why Paris Deco-Off and Maison&Objet are considered the highlight of the design calendar by Architects and Interior Designers alike! Few other places offer the opportunity to visit such an extensive number of suppliers under one roof, or converse with design peers from across the globe. Whether you’re looking to source for specific projects, maintain your knowledge of forecasted trends or network with others across the industry, these events are not to be missed!
Just be prepared to walk at least 20,000 steps per day!