The interior design trends for 2013 – the Maison & Objet report

For anyone looking for the next big thing in the home fashion sphere, the exhibitors at the Parisian Maison & Objet, can give you a glimpse of what’s hot or not right now. The fair is the first and biggest design trade show of the year, which means that this is the place to spot new patterns, colours and styles. For the spring collection, however, there weren’t any shocking revelations. Pantone’s 2013 Emerald Green was nowhere to be seen, instead, pastels dominated.

Pastel interior schemes

The theme for the exhibition was ‘Vivant’ and some designs were well and truly alive and vibrant. Verde Profilo showcased a stand with furniture covered in white moss. The moss, which doesn’t need watering and doesn’t grow, is a great way of introducing green spaces to urban gardeners.

Moss art from Verde Profilo

Sustainable designs popped up here and there, most notably in the form of Elizabeth Leriche’s ‘First Food’ installation.  With a centrepiece vegetable chandelier, the installation demonstrated that raw food can be used in more ways than just consumption. Vegetable colour from parsnips and carrots for instance, dye fabrics in an eco-friendly way.

Molo honeycomb structures

Eco is certainly a trend that won’t fade; many stands had invested in recycled materials and transformed them into cutting edge objects. Molo had one of the most inspiring stands with honeycomb structured cardboard filling up an entire room. From sturdy tables to lamps, it showed that furniture needn’t be your normal fabric and plastic/wood combination. Citylight’s 100 per cent biodegradable eco pendant boasted green credentials as well, as it was made from natural materials such as bamboo powder and peanut shells.

Lacroix’s butterflies

Animal shapes are clearly another micro-trend for the year. Brands displayed lamps in the form of dogs, cow dressers, ostrich tables and naturally, animal-printed fabrics. Nature has taken a big step inside. The furry stools at Polls Potten and Christian Lacroix’s butterfly wallpaper at Designer’s Guild, showed the way.

Simple design from Muuto

Nature could also be seen in all the wooden furniture that formed part of the ever-present Scandinavian designs. Whether the wood was coloured or untreated, it was the material of choice for most. Normann Copenhagen, Muuto and Menu were some of the true Scandinavian brands represented, but Dutch, German and Italian designers also showcased functional and democratic minimalism, many reminiscent of Shaker style.

Pastel colours

Although one of the representatives at Muuto claimed that there were no big colour trends, 1950’s pastel colours stood out. This was later confirmed at Dutch Thomas Eyck, which had the best selection of cups, bowls and candleholders in the softest marshmallow hues.  Yellow was the accent used the most (paired with grey), seen at Kenzo to Jonathan Adler and Honoré.

Creative lighting from Eno Studio

Mostly a continuation of past season’s trends, it seems as if the home décor world is waiting for a new big bang. Slowly but steadily, with quirky accessories (Tom Dixon, Seletti and Eno Studio), pastel colours and lighting creations in fantastical forms, a new, more frivolous era might well be on the horizon.

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