The French Connection ... Neuvième (9th) Note ... Lighting!

hello again, this week's from the Maison et Objet salon is all about lighting. I still have some other topics but I will probably mix them up in the future as I am itching to cover something else!

But for today I am going to share some photos about lighting because I seem to have captured more than a few pictures of lamps and other lighting features.

One that was in abundance was grouping of fixtures to form a display that almost seemed like one big light ... check this one out, it was huge, made from individual hanging lights in the same shape but various sizes hung at different lengths! you could easily play on this idea but in a smaller size, it was definitely striking.



Here's an idea of this years shapes in lighting:




















photographing lighting is not easy, but you get an idea of this year's styles .....

This is a room size chandelier .... breathtaking!




also, this chandelier-shaped floor lamp is a stellar idea ...

These combined with all of the lamps in prior posts (color and whimsy) added up to a vast selection for the year's trends ... guess we are being told to lighten up, eh!!

à trés bientôt!

*all images courtesy of Kimberlee Mancha

Our guest correspondent for The French Connection is Kimberlee Mancha, mother of Johnelle and co-founder of Mignonne Décor. Now living in France, Kimberlee started our sister shop "The Bohemians" in 2009. She will be providing live updates for all you Francophiles and lovers of beautiful European inspirations.

The French Connection ... Huitième (8th) Note ... Everything is nicer with a little whimsy!

bonjour chérs amis! so sorry for the delay, we are recovering from an internet blackout too complicated to describe but so happy to be back. I am ready to continue sharing about the fun times à la Maison et Objet, when last I wrote I promised whimsy so here we go!

Because optimism and general good spirits have been in short supply in the world, designers have decided that colorful, whimsical and affordable are ways to improve our dispositions and make our homes happier! there were lots of little ways to do this on display at the design conference.

Garlands, for example ... were to be found everywhere and in many forms ...





to be hung in a doorway or over a window, or in a kid's room near a closet, around a bed or crib ...













or as added accoutrements for a lamp or chandelier














Another playful feature were fun déco objects just for the sake of conversation ... like these huge fruits


or other whimsical objects ...





















There was fun furniture to dream about ... but these will be dreams that make you smile!




tee hee!!!























designers from ALL over were getting in the spirit of things .... even playful Germans!










this reminded me of one of those alien bar scenes from a Star Wars movie!!

this aspect of the show was definitely a bit of fantasy ... but I also found it inspiring to see how designers, small and large, were opening up their hearts and humor a bit and acknowledging the role that color and laughter can play in making a house a home.

Believe it or not, I still have quite a bit to share from this designers dream date ... next up, the lovely world of lighting!

jusqu'a la prochaine fois!! beeeee-zooooooo!

*all images courtesy of Kimberlee Mancha

Our guest correspondent for The French Connection is Kimberlee Mancha, mother of Johnelle and co-founder of Mignonne Décor. Now living in France, Kimberlee started our sister shop "The Bohemians" in 2009. She will be providing live updates for all you Francophiles and lovers of beautiful European inspirations.

The French Connection - Septiéme (7th) Note ... oo la la Maison et Objét, where to begin?

Rebonjour à tous! I am very sorry to be tardy with this week's edition but have been suffering from amazing décor overload as well as struggling to get photos downloaded and thoughts organized.

The salon seemed even more enormous than usual, and I was a little overwhelmed even before entering ... these huge signs greeted us with loud bursts of color!

Well, first off, first impressions ... the theme as I would describe it is 2012 Get Happy! (emphasized with this year's Pantone color of the year TANGERINE tango!) now I know Maison et Objet has its own theme, logo, etc. but in general everyone seemed to be trying their hardest to inject some fun and whimsy into their offerings.

I saw lots of bright, juicy colors. Punchy primary colors are in in in...!

Whimsy! Lots of quirky little accessories to brighten up a space affordably. Humorous touches. Upbeat vendors.

Another trend was, of course, the ever expanding green market. upcycled, recycled, reimagined, transformed materials.

Artisanal everywhere. Locally-made in big demand and emphasized greatly. If something wasn't hand made, it was still created to look like it was.

Lighting ... seems like there was alot more lighting on display! trying lift our spirits, maybe?

A whole building devoted to Ethnic Chic with lots of interesting ideas and presentations ...

An inspiring expo of the Ateliers d'Art of France with young designers strutting their stuff...

Really, the whole show was phenomenal and, because it is a truly international affair, I can definitely say the whole world is feeling a bit in need of a mood change... and designers everywhere are doing their best to encourage, inspire and uplift starting with our home environments!

I am going to share photos for the next few columns so you can see more about these themes I've mentioned.

Since Johnelle and I adore color so much, maybe I will start there!









here is a raspberry hot flash, very nice to punch up your boudoir!



















colorful lamps in fun shapes too!






















colorful in lace, too!

COLORFUL ACCESSORIES & MIRRORS

LOTS of color for the table top, too!

and who doesn't love some color drenched chairs? not us at Mignonne or The Bohemians!














loved this olivey, chartreusy green chair!




















more of my favorite green on a stripy indoor outdoor ensemble ... much brighter in person!

Next week I will share ideas imbued with whimsy and playfullness ... and more COLOR! Really, much of the show had a no camera policy so my pics are meant to whet your inspiration appetites and some were even on the sly so .... no promises that I will be landing any photo shoots soon, but you will get a taste for sure.

*all images courtesy of Kimberlee Mancha

Our guest correspondent for The French Connection is Kimberlee Mancha, mother of Johnelle and co-founder of Mignonne Décor. Now living in France, Kimberlee started our sister shop "The Bohemians" in 2009. She will be providing live updates for all you Francophiles and lovers of beautiful European inspirations.