Why Nature Will be Central to Our Home Design in 2020
Nature was everywhere at the Maison & Objet design fair in the form of earthy colours, raw materials and organic shapes
The Maison & Objet trade show, one of the most important European meetings for professionals in lifestyle, interior decoration and design, celebrated its 25th anniversary at this January’s edition. The Houzz editorial team were on the scene to give you a glimpse of the key events, up-and-coming talent, and, of course, the major trends for the coming year.
At this edition, we saw soft tones and natural colours, raw materials and organic forms. In short, nature will feature throughout our interiors this year.
At this edition, we saw soft tones and natural colours, raw materials and organic forms. In short, nature will feature throughout our interiors this year.
Style and innovation consultancy Nelly Rodi analyses the new lifestyles of millennials who are revolutionising design and consumption to bring about a more ethical future.
“Our ‘home sweet home’ is increasingly part of our professional activities and, above all, the place where we let go, surrounded by our friends,” trend hunter Vincent Grégoire says.
“Decorating, cooking, gardening and DIY are popular with millennials. The home is the place where this generation … can take refuge and live fully in the moment,” he says.
“Our ‘home sweet home’ is increasingly part of our professional activities and, above all, the place where we let go, surrounded by our friends,” trend hunter Vincent Grégoire says.
“Decorating, cooking, gardening and DIY are popular with millennials. The home is the place where this generation … can take refuge and live fully in the moment,” he says.
Michael Anastassiades, at Maison et Objet. Photo by Aethion.
Designer of the Year: Michael Anastassiades
A graduate of the Royal College of Art, this London-based, Cypriot designer founded his design studio in the British capital in 1994 before creating his eponymous brand in 2007.
Famous for clean-lined geometric light fixtures, Michael Anastassiades showcased a minimalist, timeless aesthetic, exploring the relationship between the piece and its user.
Designer of the Year: Michael Anastassiades
A graduate of the Royal College of Art, this London-based, Cypriot designer founded his design studio in the British capital in 1994 before creating his eponymous brand in 2007.
Famous for clean-lined geometric light fixtures, Michael Anastassiades showcased a minimalist, timeless aesthetic, exploring the relationship between the piece and its user.
Tube Chandelier by Michael Anastassiades. Photo by Hélène Binet.
“It’s always a real challenge to try to reduce the amount of visual information, to purify by removing any superfluous elements to retain only the essence of the object,” he says.
“It’s always a real challenge to try to reduce the amount of visual information, to purify by removing any superfluous elements to retain only the essence of the object,” he says.
Mobile Chandeliers by Michael Anastassiades. Photo by Aethion.
As 2020 Designer of the Year, Anastassiades came up with an installation that highlights his Mobile Chandeliers collection, which he started to develop 10 years ago. Moved by motors, the 16 sculptural pieces dance a poetic ballet.
Tempted to overhaul your lighting? Find lighting design professionals near you on Houzz.
As 2020 Designer of the Year, Anastassiades came up with an installation that highlights his Mobile Chandeliers collection, which he started to develop 10 years ago. Moved by motors, the 16 sculptural pieces dance a poetic ballet.
Tempted to overhaul your lighting? Find lighting design professionals near you on Houzz.
Isla vase (left), Oreilles vase (right), Binaire carpet and Cicala chair at Julie Richoz’s display for the Rising Talent Awards. Photo by Aethion.
Time to rise
At each edition, Maison et Objet recognises young designers from a specific country in its Rising Talent Awards. Following Lebanon, China and the United States, this year it’s France’s turn in the spotlight. Five emerging designers – Adrien Garcia, Wendy Andreu, Julie Richoz, Laureline Galliot and Mathieu Peyroulet Ghilini – as well as a young French duo, Natacha & Sacha, were this season’s recipients.
Time to rise
At each edition, Maison et Objet recognises young designers from a specific country in its Rising Talent Awards. Following Lebanon, China and the United States, this year it’s France’s turn in the spotlight. Five emerging designers – Adrien Garcia, Wendy Andreu, Julie Richoz, Laureline Galliot and Mathieu Peyroulet Ghilini – as well as a young French duo, Natacha & Sacha, were this season’s recipients.
Piggy Bank. Photo by Laureline Galliot.
These young, emerging French designers are doubling up on ingenuity to create décor and furniture that’s useful and functional in the home while giving pride of place to traditional skills as well as digital creation. Natacha & Sacha, for example, presented a new take on technology and small appliances.
These young, emerging French designers are doubling up on ingenuity to create décor and furniture that’s useful and functional in the home while giving pride of place to traditional skills as well as digital creation. Natacha & Sacha, for example, presented a new take on technology and small appliances.
Ceramic data server. Photo by Natacha & Sacha.
“It’s about transforming the way the user looks at these devices, making them more desirable so they will be kept and used longer. So we designed an air humidifier made of glass, a vitrified porcelain kettle, an embroidered heating mat, a radiator out of refractory bricks and a ceramic data server. Each item highlights a unique facet of manufacturing know-how,” they say.
“It’s about transforming the way the user looks at these devices, making them more desirable so they will be kept and used longer. So we designed an air humidifier made of glass, a vitrified porcelain kettle, an embroidered heating mat, a radiator out of refractory bricks and a ceramic data server. Each item highlights a unique facet of manufacturing know-how,” they say.
Colour trends
Make way for a soft ambience with the ubiquity of light colours, in particular pinks, as well as nude and neutral tones that are used to create a Zen look that encourages rest, tranquility and wellbeing.
Check out which colours will be big in 2020.
Make way for a soft ambience with the ubiquity of light colours, in particular pinks, as well as nude and neutral tones that are used to create a Zen look that encourages rest, tranquility and wellbeing.
Check out which colours will be big in 2020.
Nature is still inspiring the world of décor. Vegetal hues have been in the spotlight for several seasons already, and this year we saw a lot of them, ranging from tender green to intense mint to peacock blue. Sky blue is a welcome addition to the pastel palette.
Terracotta has also remained popular. It subtly warms up interiors, matched with browns, tans and raw wood or contrasted against cool colours.
Other colours made a big entrance, such as burgundy, especially in combination with Classic Blue, which was named 2020 Colour of the Year by the Pantone Institute last December.
Jati WL dining table by Dareels.
Materials trends
Echoing the need for authenticity, durability and a connection to nature, which is particularly strong among the younger generations, raw and natural materials are bigger than ever.
Materials trends
Echoing the need for authenticity, durability and a connection to nature, which is particularly strong among the younger generations, raw and natural materials are bigger than ever.
What’s New exhibit, Care display. Photo by Aethion.
Wood is the flagship material for all rooms of the house, and we saw a clear preference for oak, birch and maple.
This trend was illustrated perfectly in the fair’s What’s New exhibit, particularly the Share space, curated by Elizabeth Leriche, which presents the world of cooking and tableware; and the Care space, curated by François Bernard, which is dedicated to the bedroom and bathroom.
Wood is the flagship material for all rooms of the house, and we saw a clear preference for oak, birch and maple.
This trend was illustrated perfectly in the fair’s What’s New exhibit, particularly the Share space, curated by Elizabeth Leriche, which presents the world of cooking and tableware; and the Care space, curated by François Bernard, which is dedicated to the bedroom and bathroom.
Halo High side table from Handed By.
Traditional skilled craftwork in caning, weaving and braiding are still in the spotlight, this time with a colourful new look and applied to new materials, especially for outdoor use.
Traditional skilled craftwork in caning, weaving and braiding are still in the spotlight, this time with a colourful new look and applied to new materials, especially for outdoor use.
Metal, glass and natural mineral materials such as marble and terrazzo are still essential to décor. Concrete is experiencing a rise in popularity, most notably on small decorative items.
As for textiles, the focus is above all on comfort, with velvet, piled weaves and wool in all their forms dressing up cosy armchairs and sofas.
What’s New Exhibit, Living display. Photo by Aethion.
This year’s pattern trends are also inspired by the riches of nature. Floral and plant motifs are still very much present, and we also saw patterns recalling wood, water and even stone, like this marble-effect wallpaper.
Raw and irregular natural shapes dress interiors nicely, and their imperfections are considered beautiful.
Raw and irregular natural shapes dress interiors nicely, and their imperfections are considered beautiful.
GreenKiss. Photo by Aethion.
Furniture trends
Displaying curves with generous, comforting shapes, the latest sofas, armchairs, accent chairs and pouffes are an invitation to relax. Curves and circles are definitely in this year.
These soft lines are found on all kinds of furnishings: tables, lights, cupboards and even mirrors. Arches, in particular, are everywhere.
Displaying curves with generous, comforting shapes, the latest sofas, armchairs, accent chairs and pouffes are an invitation to relax. Curves and circles are definitely in this year.
These soft lines are found on all kinds of furnishings: tables, lights, cupboards and even mirrors. Arches, in particular, are everywhere.
In the same spirit, the daybed is gaining in popularity. This multi-functional element integrates easily into a variety of spaces to serve as a sofa, reading corner or bed.
Photo by Aethion.
Tell us…
Which of these trends would you embrace in your own home? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Which of these trends would you embrace in your own home? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section.
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To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Maison & Objet looked to the future by honouring the youngest generations with its theme (Re)Generation.
Having grown up in a period of major change and technological disruption, Generations X and Y are resolutely engaged and have shaken up lifestyle and décor traditions.