Lessons In Design - What We Learned From These Paris Design Fairs

After the annual Maison & Objet and Paris Déco Off events were postponed from January, a design-savvy crowd flocked to see the latest furniture, textile, and wallpaper collections in person from March 23 to 28. The weeklong events gave an abundance of fascinating things to see and do, with exciting installations around Saint-Germain-des-Pres and at the Parc des Expositions de Villepinte convention center. From design trends, to showrooms you have to visit and the ultimate design collaborations, here's a round up of what we learned from the iconic Parisian events: Maison & Objet and Paris Déco Off.

SATURATED COLORS WERE EVERYWHERE

Color was buzzing off the walls�and on the streets�all week. The SANAA-renovated Samaritaine department store featured oversize flower designs and tie-dyed clothing, as well as sherbet-tinted oranges, hot pinks, and minty greens.

RATTAN HAS RETURNED

It is true that history repeats itself. Take, for example, the old and new interpretations of rattan furniture that could be found all around Paris. Rattan was woven on consoles, pendants, tables, and seats by a diverse group of foreign designers.

ELABORATE PLACE SETTINGS ARE BACK

A formal table setting was de rigueur for French designer Laura Gonzalez, who hosted friends and the press in her new showroom on Rue de Lille, which was installed with her signature furniture upholstered in Schumacher fabrics; the Japanese-inspired meal was served on a table created in collaboration with Waww La Table.

PREPARE FOR NOT-SO-MELLOW YELLOWS

Fabrics, furniture, and lighting were all painted in an upbeat yellow tone. Both the Oedipe sofa and the Jardin Intérieur rug by Cogolin were on display in India Mahdavi's Saint-Germain showroom, in versions of the same bright, joyful shade.

ART DECO IS HAVING ANOTHER MOMENT

The 1930s were represented from large-scaled Bauhaus-patterned rugs and fabrics by Jean Paul Gaultier at Leli�vre to Rinck�s partnership with Fromental. Featuring its Ornements capsule collection that highlights the blood-red petit point needlework Elysée Chair with a cushion and back in a sunburst pattern.

THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION X DEDAR AT FÉAU BOISERIES

Design-world favorite the Invisible Collection presented in collaboration with fabric maison Dedar at the Feau Boiseries, a third-generation company specializing in decorative paneling. A maze of rooms filled with the most magical collection of gilded doors, millwork, and architectural treasures were punctuated with iconic pieces by Charles Zana, Martin Brudnizki, Pinto Paris, Vincent Darré, and more, reimagined in Dedar�s remarkable textiles.

SHOWROOMS TO SEE

Guests were welcomed into Charles Zana's new Rue de Seine gallery to see the premiere Charles Zana Mobilier furniture collection firsthand.

Another must-see location was the Liaigre townhouse on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, which featured an amazing exhibition of works by French artist Marta Pan, which will be on display through September.

From the new Elliott Barnes rugs for Tai Ping to the Fisher Weisman light fixtures in the de Gournay store, there was no shortage of ideas.