Offering double the amount of exhibitors over last year’s inaugural event, Maison&Objet Americas proved its staying power as a new resource for designers and specifiers looking to tap European and Latin American manufacturers for their current projects. By Marilyn Nason
[dropcap style=”letter” size=”52″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#c49c2d”]W[/dropcap]ill it work in today’s consumer home décor?” was what decorators, architects, and designers were evaluating as they studied what global exhibitors were showing at the second annual Maison&Objet Americas three-day trade show at Miami Beach Convention Center.
As expected, this smaller American version of the renowned Paris event — now in its second annual Miami Beach incarnation — is unlike any U.S. show with its extravagant designs that clearly reflect various European, Asian, Middle Eastern and exotic looks, trends, architectural traditions.
Enhanced by numerous on-site seminars plus the nearby Design District’s glamorous events and special presentations throughout Design Week at art studios and specialty retailers in the nearby Design District in Miami Beach, the show has found an otherwise little-known specialty décor foothold for combining art, architecture, and design in eye-popping ways.
Nearly 300 brands spanning 26 countries participated in the show, with roughly 6,200 visitors (77 percent of whom were from North America and 23 percent from Latin America) comprised of interior designers, architects, hoteliers, property developers, and restaurant owners who work on real estate and luxury properties as well as high-end hotel infrastructures and retail spaces. Among the brands featured were Fendi Casa, Epoca, Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors, Roberta Schilling, Cravt Original, Devon&Devon, Ibride, and Gandia Blasco as well as Extremis, Camus Collection, and Falcon
Enamelware. >>>>There was a noticeable emphasis on luxury locations/escapes/getaways with stylish designs for outdoor spaces with presentations from Vondom by Clima and Anna Torfs. Warm interiors were also a trend, with a heightened awareness on carpets featuring different materials, patterns, and textures. Wall art in massive scale, one-of-a-kind sculptures, unusual chairs and seating, plus ceramic and glass accessories were also on full display. Unique high-end, creative objects were also a focus, along with the increased presence of lighting and its importance in setting atmosphere.
Just like the intriguing lamps and lighting fixtures at the Paris Maison&Objet show, the Miami Beach venue offered plenty of creative designs, unusual multi-material combinations, and huge proportions.
In some cases, generously proportioned lighting fixtures featured smoked glass pendants hanging as a single unit and enhanced with materials as varied as silver, gold, steel, iron, ceramic, and marble. Other chandelier styles boasted semi-precious gems paired with arms in steel, brass, and aluminum. Table and desk lamps – normally traditional in style –
were shown with the same whimsical flair as variety of materials as the aforementioned chandeliers.
Well aware of North America’s love affair with outdoor living spaces, both domestic and foreign exhibitors offered lamps and lighting fixtures that suit these areas in complementary styles, shapes, and materials. Many designers attending the show were looking for lighting designs that could unify large spaces by utilizing certain elements to create a theme.
Running concurrently with Maison&Objet Americas was the Interior Design & Lifestyle SUMMIT, offering 20 conferences spanning approximately 45 minutes each and divided into three key topics under the theme: Bringing Together the Interior Design Community in the Americas.
