I recently attended Maison et Objet, the annual multicultural lifestyle trade show in Paris.
For the uninitiated, this is not for the faint of heart. There are what seems like acres of displays that showcase the future trends in style and decor for the home, from furniture to tableware, from textiles to fragrances.
It is as inspiring as it is exhausting and for weeks following the show my head reels with fresh ideas and hot new trends that I love to share with my readers.
This year, the trend toward masculine decor — especially engine parts — was noteworthy. There were plane wings constructed as table tops and entire engines masquerading as end tables. Engine parts could be found in lamp bases, shelving and lighting as well as furniture. About 20 stands had bikes in their decor.
My husband, Hans, reluctantly joined me on the marathon show tour, and now I am in big trouble. He wants his motorcycle to adorn our living room! It appears that guy stuff has migrated into the traditionally female domaine.
While we were in Paris we stayed one glorious night at the Peninsula Hotel, which is located in the heart of the City of Lights. Steeped in history, this luxurious building first opened as a luxury hotel in 1908. It has a long history of famous guests and momentous occasions. George Gershwin wrote the much loved An American in Paris while staying there in 1928. Henry Kissinger signed the Paris Peace Accords there in 1973, ending the war in Vietnam.
Today, the building has been fully restored and then some. The welcoming lobby is reminiscent of a glistening underwater palace with a display of hanging crystal that is magnificent. The engaging restaurants and classic, calm suites have been meticulously designed and furnished by the finest architects, designers, artists and artisans.
Imagine my surprise and my husband’s delight when we dined at the rooftop restaurant and encountered its awesome aviation theme. There is an old plane replica parked just outside on the rooftop terrace, and shiny airplane engine parts take pride of place between the dining tables. We were told that the restaurant celebrates the venture of ex-First World War flying aces Charles Nungesser and Francois Coli, who attempted to cross the Atlantic from Le Bourget in 1927.
Entranced by the story, the hotel’s owner themed the restaurant, and the plane on the terrace is a 75 per cent replica of the biplane, named L’Oiseau Blanc (white bird).
Taking the lead from the best of the best, if you have a hobby or interest that is important to you, why not include it as part of the life of your home? Collectibles don’t need to be relegated to a back room. Take a cue from the trendsetters and think up imaginative ways to repurpose or display your favourite items.
I can tell you right now that my husband’s motor-cycle is not going to land in our living room, but maybe the old tires could be stacked up as planters in the garden, or the handle bars might end up under a glass-topped coffee table. I make no promises.
Debbie Travis’s House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to [email protected]. Follow Debbie on Twitter at twitter.com/debbie_travis, and visit Debbie’s website, debbietravis.com.
