|
architects
desperate to discover the hottest of the hot in the homeware
world. Though the process might sound like collective navel
gazing by the design industry, it does have relevance for
the wider public, for what's unveiled in Paris will trickle
down to the high street before too long. The big news this
year is that there is, er, no really big news. Trends spotted
at the Milan furniture fair back in April last year are still
going strong - and growing stronger. Decorative baroque detailing
on fabrics, wallpaper and furniture remains key, scrolly accessories
and Louise-the-something armchairs are cropping up everywhere
from Britain's own Cole & Son to Zanotta, the Italian
design house. Black and white is also still massive, with
all the big design houses featuring glossy |
|
monochrome
cabinets and tables. Indeed, the signature piece of furniture
in the contemporary Now! Hall at Maison et Objet was - wait
for it -the white leather sofa: it took centre stage on almost
every modem furniture stand.
Getting your hands on some of these designer pieces is easier
than you might think. An easy option is to take a look at
www.europebynet.com
- a useful web-based company that sells big-name European
furniture brands (Zanotta, B&B Italia et al) directly,
cutting out the UK retail mark-up (a saving of 40% off the
normal price). It can also source and ship over individual
items, even if they don’t appear on its website; and,
even better, it offers free delivery for anything costing
more than £400. |
|
Everyone
who is anyone in the interiors world is weary and footsore
after hotfooting it around Planete Meuble and Maison et Objet,
France's vast international interiors fair that features more
than 3,300 exhibitors showcasing every aspect of home design,
from cutting-edge fabric collections to the latest kitchen
sinks. Held in a giant exhibition centre in the hinterland
of northern Paris, Maison et Objet attracts hordes of buyers,
designers and |
|
