Two-for-One Special

The visit to Milan's Macef show and Paris's Maison & Objet was made easier for North American buyers last September, as the autumn editions of the shows overlapped in the same week — giving buyers a "two-shows-for-one-transatlantic-flight" opportunity. And the varied product offerings of each of these design-driven fairs always warrant a look.

Both shows reconfigured their layouts, with the Macef changes being the more notable. The semiannual fair takes place at the Milan fairgrounds, a collection of buildings of different ages, sizes, and designs. For the first time, the autumn show was able to use the newer Portello halls (14, 15, and 16) and forgo the older, multilevel halls (2 through 6). This change greatly improved the quality of the exhibition space for the Murano glass vendors and the famous Macef gold and silver galleries. Shopping the show was also made easier by the grouping of vendors into four major areas: Gifts, Gold and Silver, Home Decor, and Kitchen and Tabletop.

At the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, Maison & Objet highlighted its high design home decor division (Scènes d'Intérieur) and its more cutting-edge division (Now! Design) by presenting the two groups in their own hall. Visitors to Hall 5B could focus on the latest in "haute" furnishings and accessories as well as on products from young designers who are somewhat ahead of the curve.

Macef and Maison both attempt to elevate the trade show experience, giving it a more gallery-like ambience. Macef and Casastile magazine provided a display showing groups of gifts and home products arranged according to themes aimed at today's consumers. Another exhibit highlighted weavers from Umbria and ceramics artists from Albissola.

Maison & Objet featured an extensive installation by designer Nelly Rodi that highlighted new, unusual, and even mundane products. And, new to the fall show: a TV production area in Hall 5B, where visitors served as the audience in a studio-like setting, and designers, stylists, and fashion personalities were interviewed for video presentations.

Europeans continue their fondness for casual chic, with an emphasis on natural materials such as bleached wood, wicker, rattan, and hemp. Colors prevalent in a range of mainstream products included muted mauves, grays, and greens. Casual tableware appeared in off-whites, creams, and yellows. The Sia collection touted the warmth of amber.

Botanicals were the standout decorative accessory at Macef. A profusion of faux flowers, plants, vines, branches, pinecones, and grasses were presented simply in glass and ceramic vases or as tabletop decorations. Others were grouped together in twisted, cascading, and topiary forms that were almost architectural in their construction. Many were in holiday colors of red and green, or more sophisticated hues of silver, purple, blue, and white.

Purple was the big color at Maison & Objet a year ago, and it held its own this year, although in more subdued tones. This year, bright, dazzling colors were the provenance of some of the designers in Hall 5B. Designers Guild pushed that envelope with its line of sofas, chairs, and cushions covered in neon green, pink, yellow, and blue chenille. The company also produces stationery, personal accessories, and kids' accessories in the same vibrant shades. The Christian Fissore cashmere line of cushions and throws featured hot oranges, reds, mauves, and yellows. And William Yeoward's upholstery line included a sofa with cushions in jewel tones of purple, burgundy, mustard, and yellow.

The dates for the next editions of these two shows won't be as convenient for North Americans looking for double exposure: Maison & Objet will take place January 11–15, 2002, while Macef will take place February 8–11, 2002.