Regional exhibitors and designer of the year at this year’s Maison&Objet

Paris, here we come! Around 2,000 interior design brands will be represented at the expo, which starts on Thursday, including several local brands.

Twice a year, Maison&Objet, one of the world’s most prestigious interior design exhibitions, is held in Paris as part of the Paris Design Week. The event starts on Thursday 19 January and will be open until 23 January. In addition to the brand shows, there will of course be a series of professional events, panel discussions, and awards ceremonies. The fair has been held since 1995 and attracts around 90,000 visitors every year.

This year’s theme is ‘Take care!’, which can be applied to many aspects: taking care of ourselves, each other, and the environment. The organizers want to encourage acceptance, inclusiveness, and transparency among the companies that exhibit. They have also taken on new challenges themselves, including recycling 50% of the waste generated at the event and switching to LED bulbs in the lighting.

The Art of Resilience—Ukraine

Not surprisingly, this year Ukraine took the center stage among the exhibiting countries, with Ukrainian artists receiving a special segment entitled ‘The Art of Resilience’, the first of its kind at Maison&Objet. It features the work of six designers/studios (Victoria Yakusha, Kateryna Sokolova, Smith & Winken, Dmitry Kozinenko, Denis Sokolov, and Yuriy Ryntovt) and seven craftsmen (Zemna Design, Natura Ceramica, Hochu Rayu, Mariia Puliaieva, Michael Samoriz, Natalia Bulanova, and Evgeniy Litvinenko). Among the works on display are ancient braids in a contemporary style, sculptural lamps, and unique furniture, all of which share a common identity of traditional material use and craft techniques, all shaped by the cultural codes of the Ukrainian community. The exhibition also shows how, despite difficult circumstances, Ukrainian artists continue to work and create new collections.

PENT.

The Polish brand has embraced and aestheticized an industry that is usually in dire straits: sports equipment. Many people prefer not to buy fitness equipment for their homes because it would spoil the interior. PENT. has addressed just that, bringing to market weight benches, dumbbells, balls, kettlebells, and other accessories made from quality materials, with graceful designs and soft colors. The accessories can be stored and transported in style on a matching trolley with wheels.

AN&ANGEL

Mouth-blown glass wall decorations from Latvia. The Red Dot Design Award-winning brand uses traditional techniques to create highly contemporary-looking decorations with a signature glittering reflective surface. The glassware is vacuum-coated with stainless steel or titanium.

Milla&Milli

The creators of the Croatian brand are particularly proud of the fact that they make their furniture from wood sourced from local forests, and as committed advocates of sustainable design, they regularly plant new saplings instead. Working mostly with natural materials, they offer coffee tables, dining tables, bar cabinets, sideboards, and bookcases.

Alpaka

Alpaca fleece is one of the most valuable raw materials for making textiles, so it’s fortunate that the animals are thriving not only in the Andes but also in Estonia. Their fur is used to make fluffy, soft sweaters and coats, as well as luxurious home furnishings with a minimalist aesthetic, such as blankets and rugs.

Designer of the Year: Raphaël Navot

Maison&Objet’s jury announces the Designer of the Year at each exhibition to recognize and celebrate the work of a professional who has demonstrated exceptional talent and expertise on the international design and decoration scene. This year’s winner is Israeli-born, Paris-based Raphaël Navot, who will showcase the essence of his work in the exhibition with his installation The Apothem Lounge. His aim is to evoke emotions through the play of light and textures. Navot has previously worked with major brands such as Roche Bobois, but he has also designed the interiors of several museums, libraries, and hotels, as well as David Lynch’s Parisian club Silencio.

Maison&Objet
19–23 January 2023
Parc des expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte, Paris, France
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Source and photos: Maison&Objet

• design
• maison et object
• paris
• exhibition
• interior design