Last month, the latest edition of Maison et Objet, the bi-annual home décor fair in Paris, gave us inspiration for the whole house. The five-day event showcased cutting-edge design thinking and material innovation from established names like Rabitti to nascent ones like 101. The writer identifies four favourites that include lights inspired by butterflies and furniture that plays with stripes.
1. Forestier
The esteemed French lighting company, known for woven wire lights inspired by topiary and nature, returns to its design roots with a fresh take. Their latest eye-catcher, the Papillon, is named after the butterfly. The delicate lines of this light fixture evoke images of stylised petals and wings. A tall light, it is designed to be a centrepiece with a presence that doesn’t overwhelm a space or other furniture. It can even be used as a stand-alone sculptural piece. From approximately ₹24,700 onwards, on forestier.fr
2. Petite Friture
I first found this brand many years ago, at a show in Belgium, where I’d noticed a lamp called the Vertigo (currently carried by the Museum of Modern Art shop). Known for their curated line of products by emerging design talents, they produce designs that quickly become classics. This year’s launch of a line of powder-coated outdoor furniture called WEEK-END designed by Studio BrichetZeigler, caught my eye for its reinvention of the Art Deco stripes in a modern way. The graphic line of furniture includes oval and circular tables, extremely comfortable stacking chairs, and long benches. Available in eight UV-resistant colour finishes (and many more bespoke shades), this line fills a much needed niche in great outdoor furniture. From approximately ₹19,200 onwards, on petitefriture.com.
3. Rabitti
The Italian company, known for its craftsmanship and leather products, has launched a must-have line of desks, consoles and coffee tables under its new creative director, French designer Stéphane Parmentier. Capitalising on the company’s know-how of saddle leather, each piece of the Atari line is made up of two layers of contrasting hues — the top layer made from leather tiles, interspersed with intricate, 2mm-wide incisions to reveal the shade below. With plenty of colour choices, this collection makes an easy, graceful addition to any interior. From approximately ₹86,990 onwards, on rabitti1969.com.
4. 101
My newest find is a gorgeous line of end tables, accessories and lighting — made from brass and copper — by a new company, 101. Designed to complement the refined Scandinavian designs of sister furniture company, NORR11, it launched at Maison et Objet with minimally-designed brass lighting and refined end tables that draw from primitive, abstract shapes. Each piece exhibits exquisite craftsmanship and is beautiful not only to the eye but also to the touch. Details: NORR11.com
Suchi Reddy is an architect and designer based in New York.
