news from Maison & Objet: escapism or optivism?

Against a lot of beautiful and tender designs in muted colors, ecofriendly fabrics, and natural materials, there were a lot of cheerfull, over the top and sometimes almost hysterical (but always cheerfull) stands.

With wild designs, all the colors that you can think in one design. And lots and lots of accessories crammed in one room, that remind you of holidays far, far away (and a long time ago) or fairy tales and magical realistic novels. You can call it escapism, to get away from the sometimes grey and harsh reality, but I call it optivism and the celebration of the imagination (running wild!).

pictures show the designer of the bags from Trinity Knot, presse papiers and postcards from Astier Villages, life sized animals made of vintages tapestry and the furniture collections designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for Roche Bobois.

news from Maison & Objet: eco - deco - grey

It is good to see that so many designers try to be as eco friendly in their designs as possible. And I'm happy to see that eco has long left behind her gritty, dusty feel. You can even say that eco has become a style of it's own. And that designers are inspired by it's authentic, pure, unbleached look. With colors like the soft greys of pure cotton and linen, maybe sometimes colored with herbal and mineral colorings, accessories made of pure clay and stone, combined with black and white. Some add a feminine, more decorative touch with lace or padding and even sequins. It is soft and tender, and easy on the eye, but still interesting, exciting look.

pictures show work from Poterie des Guimards, pillows by Margarete Häusler, pillows by Nicolette Brunklaus, curtains by Beatrice Laval and a chair upholstered with linen from Leitner.

pinterest

That's why it takes so long to work out my stories about Maison & Objet. Something new and exciting always comes along to get my totally distracted. I recently discovered Pinterest, a social catalog to which 'people with great taste' can assign and pin things they love. If you don't fall in that category (or you don't have time to pin things) you can browse through other peoples pinboards. Perfect for new inspiration and ideas. Here's some samples, one made by Ms Sheperd, and one called Things I love. I love them too!

my holiday

As promised, I will be giving my impressions of the Maison Et Objet, you can read them soon! But first, let me tell you about my holidays, and the inspiration that I picked up there.

Our 'base camp' was at a beautiful gîte in the middle of Brittany, near Guingamp. The gîte is in an old barn that is beautifully restored by the owner. (Who happens to be my sister, which doubles the fun). Her website and her blog are in Dutch but she speaks fluently English and French. It is a great place to stay, to have a rest or discover the rest of Brittany, like St Malo (my favourite area in Brittany) or Dinan.

 You can rent the gîte or put up a tent (or a caravan) on the camp site under a pear tree. Lola, the donkey and her two goat friends will keep you entertained all day.

 In Dinan I found the best shop to spend a rainy afternoon, which sometimes can happen in Brittany. Fleur de Lin et Bouton d'Or is filled to the roof with ribbons, lace, antique fabrics, old buttons and colourful yarns. The perfect spot for some new colourfull inspiration.