5000 plus brand to explore and 2 very sore feet. Some of the best bits from the most élégante design shows in Europe.
Decorex (Olympia, London), The Furniture Show (NEC) and Chelsea Harbour (London) have been our design, inspiration and sourcing destinations for years; the shows are huge with fabulous luxury brands and so much to explore. On booking Maison et Object we saw an image of an exhibition hall, which could have fit Decorex in 3 times over! At that point we were thinking 'comfy shoes'....but then it dawned on us that this was 1 hall of 7! This is a HUGE show!
'Maison&Objet is your never-ending source of inspiration, constantly serving up exciting new finds.'
– Maison Team
We go to design shows so we can be inspired, attend talks, find new products, new brands and and catch up with the current ones we work with. Our day is filled with 'oohs' and 'ahhs'; we get excited over cushions and lighting the way kids get excited over sweets! We get to see the products up close, see the detail, touch and feel the quality; Our hands are running over the velvets and inspecting the crystal.
Going to design shows means we can add an abundance of new suppliers to our sourcing references. We aim to find the best for our clients and make every project special and this is where we start...in a pair of comfy trainers!
After 6am flight we hit the ground running; we focused on home accessories, home linen, unique and eclectic, forever, today, projects, work and signature (super luxury).
A must see was Eicholtz, and with a glass of champagne in our hands it made perusing all the stand all the more enjoyable. Eichholtz is one of the leading lifestyle companies worldwide in the field of interior design and ambience, they have some stunning pieces and the stand was incredible.
So many weird and wonderful lighting designs! Why have something mundane when you can have an art piece instead?
Checking out the Houtique stand on day two.
One of the new brands we discovered is 'Vip and Friends' which had a dazzling array of crystal lighting. Then brand had done such a good job giving the stand such ambiance.
The overriding new trend seemed to be the 'natural aesthetic'; neutral tones, natural materials, rough textures, wood, grass, bamboo and the perfectly imperfect. A calm interior that goes back to nature.
I discovered Danish brand101 Copenhagen who have a strong masculine aesthetic with irregular shapes and industrial materials. We're already specified a selection of their vases in a Ribble Valley project.
Colour, colour, colour!
Neutral and classic...
Of course Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre is only a stones throw from the centre so we couldn't resist a day around Paris. We ate macarons from Ladurée, visited the Louvre, shopped in Gallery Lafayette and watched a show at Crazy Horse.
Au revoire Paris! Until next time...
At Magpye Creative Interiors we create unique space for unique clients. To enquire about working with us to create your dream interior please get in touch.
Katie
Katie Longshaw-Pye
Creative Director | Magpye Creative Interiors
Ribble Valley