Paris sets the scene
Paris Déco Off/Home kicks off on Thursday, January 17, and is set to transform the French capital into a global nexus of decorative arts. An expected 40,000 visitors are converging to discover the new collections of 150 major manufacturers over the course of five days, with events and installations galore.
Paris Déco Off/Home, a celebration of manifold nature of decorative arts
On either side of the river Seine, the very finest and hippest fabrics, wallpapers, trimmings, furniture, lighting, rugs, tableware, etc. can be glimpsed. The event is being held in the 2nd, 6th, and 7th arrondissments of Paris and for five days the streets will be decked with giant fabric covered lamps. Come visit the lively showrooms of the 150 international decoration maisons, and the join the thousands of visitors eager to discover firsthand all the 2024 collections.
The theme of this year’s edition is the Tree of Life, which takes root in front of the Hôtel de l’Industrie on place Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This tree is in fact a two-meter-tall carboard lamp created by Emmanuelle Burel-Zaré. The canopy of this tree harmoniously blends light and shade through transparency, with each leaf being provided by the participating brands of the event, showcasing their creativity.
‘Decorating is a universal social manifestation, the very mirror of our essence as people. Wherever you may come from or where you may live, it follows us in our development. The Tree of Life seemed to be the obvious choice for a symbol,’ stated Carole Locatelli et Hugues Charuit, the event organisers.
French Furniture – the French professionnal organisation for furniture industry players – brings a novel element to this year’s edition: the ‘Materials & Wonders’ Haute-Facture tour. This sensory odyssey through the streets of Paris, directed and designed by Mauricio Clavero Kozlowski, guides the participants through four spaces to discover the work of the major French manufacturers. The roster includes Atelier Midavaine, Manufacture Robert Four, Pouenat, Tisserant, Atelier Alain Illouz, Duvivier Canapés, Volevatch, most of whom were awarded the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label.
A myriad of exhibits and a mandatory stroll through Passage Saint-Sulpice
No edition of this event is complete without the necessary stroll through this inspiring alleyway in the heart of Paris, which is always intriguing. Giant pieces of furniture will pop-up once again across the City of Lights (on place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, place Fürstenberg, and place des Petits-Pères) with the help of Ecart International (who pays homage to André Putman’s famous chairs), textile brands, and trimming manufacturer Houlès who crafted a monumental tassel for this occasion.
Luteca, the paragons of Mexican artistry, will also be present and will showcase their furniture in a fascinating transparent space on place des Petits-Pères. One of their craftmen is even coming from Mexico to demonstrate the art of wickerwork with cactus and reed stems.
A dozen textile editors are set to breathe life into the Festival des Etoffes with their draperies, covering the windows and facades of their showrooms as well as that of the Moulin de la Vierge bar, the Hotel de l’Industrie, and the exterior of Passage Saint-Sulpice – a new twist for this year’s edition. In this quintessentially Parisian 600 square meter hall, each of the fifteen brands and institutions – such as Les Compagnons du Devoir – will set up their own tailor-made showrooms.
The organizers also announced
‘Four stage sets created by the “bureaux des designeurs” will occupy the main alley, with the works of Elliott Barnes, Laurent Maugoust & Cécile Chenais, Franck Genser, and Frédéric Imbert. A champagne bar will also be set up beneath a garland of giant wallpaper-dressed lights for people to toast and celebrate a year rich with artistic creation.’
To finish this artistic journey without breaking a sweat, a free shuttle service that runs from one side of the river to the other will be accessible. Visitors can also consult the website, which has neatly mapped the showrooms – organized by product – the pop-ups, the restaurants, and the bars along the route to unwind after an enthralling experience.
From the 17 to the 21 of January. Showrooms open from 9:30am to
7:30pm. Late-night opening on Saturday, 20 January until 9.30pm.
paris-deco-off.com ; paris-deco-home.com
Enquiry point: l’Hôtel Bel-Ami, 7 rue Saint-Benoît, Paris 6e.
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