Interior designers from around the globe descended on the showrooms of Paris last month for Déco Off—dubbed the fashion week of interiors—to see what’s new in fabrics and wall coverings. Meanwhile, savvy brands with parallel offerings took advantage of the occasion to stage pop-ups throughout the city, generating buzz and business alike. Highlights included Atelier Vime’s takeover of artist Édouard Mac’Avoy’s historic studio where they showed their signature (and oft copied) rattan wares alongside handpainted placemats and lovely ceramic trivets in the shape of urns. Marmi’s installation, near the iconic lampshades on rue de l'Echaudé, celebrated their shockingly beautiful new Editions No.3 Kitchen in all its marble glory. Taking over the Hôtel de Guise (a wonderfully dilapidated hôtel particulier in Invalides) Pierre Frey dreamt up transporting vignettes to launch their Deserts collection—we can’t help but think this Souk patchwork would make a magical kitchen sink skirt in particular. And storied cookware brand Staub hosted dinner at Thoumieux the night before whisking guests on a factory tour up in Merville, while Business of Home took Insiders to tour the porcelain manufactories in Sevres. Are you noticing a theme? We were scouting through a culinary lens this year.
Festivities aside, there are a staple of permanent, must-see spaces for the gastronomically inclined aesthete in Paris. Our friends at Staub pointed us to E.Dehillerin in the 1st arrondissement, left. This kitchenwares shop is a family-run institution dating back four generations. Established in the 19th century, it is a trusted source of Michelin-starred chefs (not to mention it was a regular haunt of Julia Child’s) and even kitchen designers whose clients are expecting a turnkey install. Step inside and you might mistake yourself for being in a hardware store—copper pots and pans are displayed on peg boards and there are endless bins and cubbies housing everything you could possibly need for a well-stocked kitchen. But don’t let this no frills, stockroom set up confuse you—the quality is supreme. We especially love their branded knives, just be sure to put them in your checked luggage.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, La Tuile à Loup in the 5th arrondissement is a visual feast for the eyes, centre. A favourite source of designers, stylists and collectors (think Penny Morrison and Mieke ten Have), you will find colourful ceramic tableware that cannot be found elsewhere. Customer-turned-purveyor, Eric Goujou, commissions artisans working across France to craft pieces ranging from marbleware and Aptware to folksy Alsatian pottery and rustic Provençal basics. He is meticulous about which he presents, selecting each piece as it emerges from the kiln. These ceramics are meant to be used however, not just put on display. His legendary tureens can go from oven to table and would be an instant conversation point at your next dinner party.
Over in the 16th arrondissement, editors and designers flocked to the new outpost of Galerie 54. Specialising in mid-20th century French design, art and antiques dealer Éric Touchaleaume recently relocated the gallery to No.4 rue Mallet-Stevens from its previous location at No.10. The street is named after architect Robert Mallet-Stevens, who designed a row of modernist villas here in the late 1920s. No.10 was originally the workshop of sculptors Jan and Joël Martel, with Jan’s private apartment above, which Touchaleaume purchased from his widow. Working with Garcin-Marty-Perrin, they restored the colour scheme to its original palette, taking inspiration from a 2005 exhibition on Mallet-Stevens at the Centre Pompidou. The result included shades of chalky blue-grey and butter yellow—a hue that has been trending as colour cycles go. This combo also now appears in the kitchen of the gallery’s new Collector Apartment, right. Here you will find a cafe table by Jean Prouvé c.1950, ‘Bauche’ dining chairs by Charlotte Perriand c.1946, and a painting by André Marchand. The installation is reflective of how Touchaleaume integrates the gallery’s modernist offerings with the historical setting in a way that feels inspired yet timeless. *Note visits to Galerie 54 and La Tuile à Loup are by appointment only.
Photos: Courtesy of Monika Eyers; La Tuile à Loup / Eric Goujou; and Galerie 54 / Eric Touchaleaume