Designer Lisa McDennon Finds Inspiration at Maison et Objet
Hinkley is constantly seeking out new ways to improve your home and lifestyle. As a company committed to creativity and thoughtful design, we travel the globe to seek inspiration and stay current with fresh and exciting trends. Join along for a behind-the-scenes look as Lisa McDennon shares highlights from her latest trip to Paris and the Maison et Objet show.
Why do you find attending trade shows so valuable for your industry?
In this day of technology, I find so much is left out. Much of what we do as designers must be experienced in real life, because not everything translates through a computer screen. So the need to get out in the world and see things in person, or to experience the scale of a faucet or door knob, or how a chair sits, can’t be replaced by looking at it online. Which is why the need (and desire) to travel to new cities for knowledge, experience and inspiration is so important to my craft.
Tell us about your recent trip to Paris – we were living vicariously through your social media.
In January, I visited Paris for Maison et Objet, the international authority for home decor, interior design, architecture and lifestyle culture and trends. There, I had the chance to spend one-on-one time with fellow designers, gather inspiration for my clients, and of course, soak up all the beauty one of the biggest design cities in the world has to offer!
Did you notice any specific themes consumers could easily translate into their home?
Yes! The amount of natural upholstery incorporated into interior spaces was prolific - from woven furniture to natural elements and cane. I saw almost too much, so as a bit of advice for end-users - beware of over-doing it in your spaces and choose carefully. There were also tons of boucle and chunky fabrics, plus heavy knit pillows and throws that really made a statement. Finally, I could not get enough of the gorgeous ceramic glazes, stoneware and terrazzo incorporated into tabletop items, furniture, flooring and counters. It’s so much fun to have another material and more textures to work with.
Let’s talk color. Any specific hues or shades that stood out to you?
Of the many colors I noticed, a handful that caught my eye included lush, peach, kelly greens, olive and army greens, aqua greens, mauve, plum, burgundy, navy, rust, and lots of warm caramel/gold, and rose gold.
You’re constantly exposed to fresh designs here at Hinkley. While exploring the show, did any specific details resonate with you?
A variety of the different shapes and tones throughout the show reflected so many of the current lighting trends I see being used today ¬– from round, radius and bullet shapes, to botanical and leaf-inspired designs, to spheres, globes and two-tone finishes – all of which reinforced Hinkley’s dedication to staying knowledgeable and current.
What was your biggest takeaway from your trip abroad?
Beyond the show alone, I value the opportunity to experience the spirit and culture of the cities I travel. It brings an entirely elevated experience to the trip. Not only was I able to view new products and trends, but I was able to experience a city rich in history that is constantly full of discoveries. It does not matter how many times I return; I feel like I have only scratched the surface of what Paris and the French culture can show and teach me as both an individual and a designer.
Learn more about Lisa McDennon and her collection here.
