Maison et Objet 2012 series: Fab Five via The Decorating Diva – Part Four

Welcome to part four of  Carmen Natschke’s 25 top design finds from Maison et Objet. More from The Decorating Diva in gay Paris very soon.

More Missoni Home. Who can resist their playful patterns? This chair is as comfortable as it is pretty. But I may be biased, I have a soft spot for that colorful zig-zag motif.

Black and white had a strong presence at Maison et Objet 2012. Here’s a gorgeous example of black and white offering a supporting role to the main design players:patterns and textures. (Upholstery by Designers Guild)

LALIQUE has teamed up with world-renowned music and concert producer Jean Michel Jarre to create a limited run (999) of the AeroSystem One crystal speakers. They are gorgeous and a definite standout in a world of audio speakers so ugly they chip away at my soul. Thank goodness, someone had the presence of mind to understand that exquisite audio quality doesn’t have to come packaged in ugly little tombstone packages. The audio quality of this speaker is absolutely amazing. A little more on this marvel of technology and aesthetics:

LALIQUE crystal, which decorates this speaker, reveals sparkling jets of water which emerge from the intriguing Masque de Femme, an iconic motif of this prestigious crystal house. This Art-Deco style mask reveals the face of a mysterious woman, with subtle features, surrounded by aquatic wildlife. Like a fingerprint, the face seems perfectly captured in the crystal. To create this piece of work, 13 master glass-blowers blow, cut and polish crystal with their expert hands into a design that is so emblematic of LALIQUE.

Though I didn’t see lots of pastels at M&O, I did want to point it out as an emerging trend based on other shows I’ve attended over the last 12 months, and a strong showing on the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalks – case in point the exquisite Versace spring collection – soft, feminine, pastels in softly shimmering fabrics. Another example of the pastel trend is on display on the cover of the current issue of Vanity Fair illustrating the up and coming young Hollywood actresses. Dressed in 20s’ inspired fashions running the gamut of pretty pastels.

I really like the cut-out work on this chair by Nada Debs. The chair is also sporting a color, red, that though in small quantities did make appearances throughout the show.