Day 4, Part IV: Maison & Objet Show, Paris

Day 4, Part IV:


The final Post for Day 4 is devoted to one European vendor, SEMPRE

We have exciting news: We've finally bought from the European company, SEMPRE. This European based group of designers were originally in the floral business, developed a line of containers for florists, then outdoor furnishings, and then a furniture collection that can go inside or out. The scale of their furniture is confident and the designs are fresh. We've wanted to buy this line since the first time we saw it 7 years ago here in Paris, but with the difficulty and expense of  importing small quantities, it just didn't make financial sense. Since then SEMPRE has begun showing their line in the US, and developed their shipping program so that its easy and cost effective for us to buy it and ship it.

Oval marble topped dining table on thick wood teak base

 

 

The marble top features a "coin" edge

The table base uses massive reclaimed timbers to handle the weight of the thick marble top

We loved the Dining tables, and bought three of them. Set on solid, unfinished wood framework bases, and topped with white, sandblasted Carrara marble. The edges of the tables feature a vertical "coin edge" detail. The tops are almost 3 inches thick, and often have unique shapes.

We bought this round table, above: 60 inches in diameter

Tapered rectangular table that is 96 inches long, seats ten (shown 132"long!)

The first one we bought is round, but beautifully sized and with a masterfully proportioned base. Another is oval shaped, and is fabulous. The piece de resistance (above) is the table that starts out as a rectangular, widens out in the center and taper back down at the other end. Like the others this table has an amazing sense of scale. Notice the little round stools sitting with the table, we bought those as well because they can be used as either stools or small occasional tables.

Unique wide mouth vase with three tubular smaller vases

 

Glass Hurricanes that double as vases 

We did buy some of their more interesting vases, in stock at Cabana Home in early November. 

See more of the line, below:

 

Dining table with "sawhorse" bases

Christmas trees suspended from the ceiling above one of their dining tables

A "live edge" marble top on twig style base (big twigs!)

We usually see "live edge" wood tops on Dining tables, but here the tops are shown on a pair of cocktail tables

 

A pair of sleek lava stone pedestals topped with metal frame glass cases. Sculptures are carved from lava stone. 

We cant wait for you to come and see this collection in early November!



Good night moon.

Day 4, Part III: Maison & Objet, Paris

Day 4, Part III:

Color and lots of it was the trend we saw the most. Though, curiously, an article in an English paper that ran at the end of the show eschewed the lack of color at this years show! Maybe the author is color blind because we saw nothing but color, everywhere!

A rug and color trend that we've seeing sputtering about at the last few markets we've attended seems to be in full swing in Europe: Over dyed vintage and new rugs, as well as on patchwork vintage rugs.

 

Examples below, of colorful over dying on a vintage rug and on a patchwork rug.

 

One of the things that differentiates European trade shows from American trade shows is the effort that the vendors and manufacturers go to in building such elaborate display booths. See a sampling of them below that embrace color..

 

 

A display of table color saturated red lamps is repeated for impact

 

 

 

 

 

A free standing room, or booth is very common. Very few booths divided by the more typical metal framed and fabric versions that we see at most American trade show

 

 

The booth above featured this mannequin dressed in the vendors robe, swinging on a contemporary "tire swing". Reminds my of the bar in New Orleans French Quarter with the pair of shapely legs that swing through the window high above the side walk, but this model has on more clothes. Guys, you know what I'm talking about!

The vendor above built an entire restaurant/lounge setting to show their tables and chairs

Dramatic painted black walls and white upholstery makes a striking display for the upholstery manufacturer, above. 

This manufacturer above built and entire Tuscan style bungalow replete with a tile roof, wood windows with glass panes, and "aged" stucco walls. 

 

 

 

Even simple displays used color, and used it well to differentiate there booths, below:

 

 

Lively orange walls are in contrast to the vintage black-framed vintage photographs

 

Magenta painted walls set off the trio of vintage black & white photographs

In the photo above, painted orange accent wall is in contrast to the taupe wall behind the bed 

 

Stunning blue grey painted walls complement the painted grey wood platform floors that led us through this very good looking booth, above. The table is a huge reclaimed wood slab atop a trio of unique Corten steel bases. And the contemporary painting was exquisite. 

 

At the booth of DK Living, one of our favorite vendors, was a line of custom wall tiles that was elaborate and unique as anything I've ever seen, below:

 

 

 

Clay, fired and glazed, with metallic silver

 

 

Terracotta, above

 

Bisque tile, left, and metallic finished clay tile

 

Stamped and hammered metal on a ceramic tile background, above and below 

  

Two more samples of metallic finished ceramic tiles, below

More terracotta. Below: Natural left, and metallic washed terracotta, right.  

 

 

 

Need something even more fabulous? Tile with color? Try the magnificent custom malachite tile, or perhaps something in agate, below:

 

 

 

 

We met another French artisan group who hand built parquet wood floors, and had a display showing the parts and how they’re put together. The next time I price them to a customer I want to show them this picture, which shows an amazing amount of craftsmanship and joinery.

 

They also did a table top in parquet, but in an oval shape. They can also stone carvers, so they can make a hand carved limestone base for your table top, or you may supply your own base.

 

This company or group of French artisans, also work in hand forged iron, and displayed a magnificent pair of gates supported by two of their hand carved limestone gate posts, below.

A handsome hand carved French limestone fountain (not shown), and a fireplace surround, below:

 

And, as if that wasn’t enough, they also import Moroccan tile floors and painted cement floor tiles,
below:

 

 

 

 
 

Changing into something a little more delicate, I want to show you some beautiful handmade and decorated porcelain dinnerware that is paper thin, translucent and absolutely the essence of restraint. By Sonobe Park, an artist from Taiwan, represented in the Taiwan artisans pavilion at the show. We didn’t buy the line because we aren’t really a tabletop store so to speak, but if we were…

 

Stay tuned for Day 4, Part IV.

 

Good night moon.

Day 4, Part II: Maison & Objet, Paris

Day 4 Part II

Long days continue but worth it with discoveries like the lighting line shown below. Cast Bronze with gold or silver plating. Extremely heavy weight, these lamps and accessories are similar in style and quality to their rich cousin, Objet Insolite, at half the price. in Cabana Home stores by November.

 

Cake stand for your favorite macaroons, miniature vases and candlesticks in two sizes 

 

 

 

 

Waxed stone lamp base with tiny shell; serving dish, and glass jar with lid decorated with cast bronze coral.

 

 

Lamp styled as tall seaweed or kelp

 

 

The lamp above, comes in two sizes, and gold or silver, and as candlesticks

 

 

As above, this lamp is available in two finishes and as a lamp or candlestick.

 

 

 

More lighting vendors: From two different vendors, two of the best outdoor path lights we've seen:

 

 

In bronze in three sizes

 

 

 

In solid copper, as shown

 

 

Another lighting maker, below, produces there own lighting and parts in their factory in England, everything is hand poured, crafted, forged, including glass blown in their factory.

 

 

This over sized coach lamp features a vintage style bulb, which is augmented by mini recessed halogen bulbs  

 

 

Another beautifully scaled coach light made for flat wall installation 

 

 

The lamp above can be used as a table lamp, hung as a pendant or mounted on a gate post

 

 

On the softer side of life, we met a vendor from India that makes beautifully woven scarves and lap blankets (throws). These woven cashmere and silk, and pure cashmere were subdued and soft, with wonderful textures. Prices in the $300- $400 range. See them in Cabana Home stores the end of October.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furniture wise, we found a Spanish company with a very good looking line of occasional tables. Tables ranged from cast aluminum with bronzed finishes, to reclaimed wood tops with similarly bronzed bases. Our favorites, the cocktail table with removable tray top, a "faceted" scatter table,

and a large oval table that would be great between a pair of club chairs

 

 

 

"Faceted" scatter table

    

 

Cocktail table with removable tray top

 

 

 

Oval occasional table

 

 

 

And speaking of furniture, did you know that most homes in Europe are sold without Kitchen furniture meaning, no cabinets or appliances? For Americans, that would seem to be a strange custom indeed. Imagine being at an open house and deciding you want to buy it. You see it with a great kitchen, but when you close and move in to it, the kitchen is gone, even the kitchen sink! Only the pipes remain, hanging out of the wall. So now we know why there are so many great European kitchen systems like Scavolini, Poggenpohl, Snaidero and Bulthaup. So I wasn't terribly surprised to see the kitchen, below, displayed at the show.

 

 

 

Kitchens are made to go in Europe

 

 

All for now, check in tomorrow for Day 4, Part III: Maison & Objet

 

 

 

Good night moon.