AMES

Ames – Vibrant Living immediately caught my eye at the fair, for their bright designs and commitment to traditional craftmanship. They manufacture all their furniture, textiles, rugs and homewares ethically in Colombia, combining traditional techniques with a modern aesthetic, that reflects the local landscape and culture.

I was especially blown away by their handwoven rugs, chairs and the most incredible woven framed mirrors!

Kindred Design: Zacarias 1925

The Kindred Design stand was a showcase of contemporary Filipino craft, and I was SO amazed by the fresh and innovative designs from a country with such a long history of traditional craftsmanship.

What really blew me away was Zacarias 1925 label. This brand mixed leather and rattan to weave architectural baskets and bag designs, using traditional techniques. The label is an offshoot of established Filipino brand S.C Vizcarra, which has been producing woven designs for three generations. This was a truly stunning example of how traditional materials and styles can be reimagined for a contemporary audience.

Molo

This stall was one of the first things that I saw when entering the huge fair, and I was so excited by the work that Molo produce.

The Canadian geniuses have created a paper concertina system that is used for wall dividers, furniture and lighting. Just so unique! These guys are giving a new meaning to ‘flat-pack’ furniture, as their elegant expandable structures are fully collapsible. Create a wall out of thin air/a thin paper!

Schneid Studio

Schneid Studio is a small German brand, producing elegant products with a contemporary twist. Their work uses natural raw materials, striking colours and bold shapes. There is something so refined about their work, but also a gentle sense of humour and joy comes through!

The team is committed to sustainable practices, and working with local makers.

Ferm Living

Honestly, I was SO impressed with Ferm Living’s stand, and all of their products. The Danish company has created a range that is both sophisticated and quirky, considered and attainable.

Ferm Living has identified a gap in the market – of refined homewares at an accessible price-point – and delivered above and beyond!

Serax – Bela Silva and Marie Michielssen

Serax is a Belgian business, started by two brothers who over the past 30 years have grown from a small-scale company run out of a garage, to a multinational organisation with over 65 employees.

The company works with designers, and while I loved EVERYTHING on their stand – Bela Silva and Marie Michielssen delivered something really different. The Carnets de Voyages collection by Bela Silva of jugs bowls and dishes bring the history of the hanging gardens of Babylon and Portuguese azulejos tiles to the dinner table.

I was also so impressed by The Earth collection by Marie Michielssen, whose large pots and planters appear as handcrafted ceramics, but are actually lightweight fibreglass and papier-mâché!

Teixidors and Faye Toogood – Criss Cross

The textiles from this Barcelona-based social enterprise Teixidors immediately grabbed me, and I was so excited to hear the story behind these beautiful designs.

Teixidors employs people with learning difficulties, who learn textile handcraft and produce these stunning works in their small workshop just outside Barcelona. The Criss Cross range was released at the fair and is a collaboration with UK design royalty Faye Toogood.

Teixidors artisan textiles are available in Australia at Hub.

Giobagnara

Giobagnara is an established and much loved Italian furniture brand who have combined handcraftsmanship with leading-edge technology. I could not get over these tubular shapes and the strikingly unique looking product of the Stéphane Parmentier x Giobagnara range.

These leather-clad coffee tables, and stools are inspired by the classical Greco-Roman beauty, the Puglian landscape, and refined Japanese aesthetic.

Kang Min-Kyeong

The Korea Craft and Design Foundation stand was a real highlight for me, as an opportunity to view a collection of meticulously handcrafted homewares, and learn a little about Korean design culture and history. The intimate and delicate works of Kang Min-kyeong really grabbed my attention, as the artist uses a traditional ‘kwiyal’ technique (brush paste) on her coiled ceramics.

TIPTOE

I didn’t expect to find a ‘build-your-own-adventure’ experience at the fair, but French brand Tiptoe provided a new angle to sustainable design!

The idea is brilliantly simple – Tiptoe provide the designer modular long-lasting legs, and you can place this universal clamping leg on whatever you have at hand. The idea is that the furniture can adapt to serve changing needs across a life-time, and is such a creative and beautiful design solution to waste and the circular economy of furniture.

Paola Paronetto

Ever since Annie highlighted Paola Paronetto’s work at the 2018 Maison & Objet fair, I have been wanting to see these incredible ceramics! The Italian artist uses paper clay – a blend of paper pulp, natural fibres and clay, that gives an unusual and delicate finish.

A huge thanks to Maison & Objet for hosting me – such a truly memorable experience and so inspiring seeing the very of global design, all under one roof!