Paris 2023 / THE RECAP
ANDIE KEIG
MARMOL RADZINER
LOS ANGELES
What is your main motivation for attending Paris Deco Off?
Our team at Marmol Radziner is working on a new French restaurant in Los Angeles. It feels important to connect with the Parisian vendors who are helping fabricate the stunning centerpieces of our designs – to understand their capabilities, their workrooms, and what excites them.
One key highlight from the week that stood out?
Attending Pierre Frey’s Braquenié Anniversary Collection at Chateau De Louye was outstanding. Pierre Frey is known for their bold motifs, daring colors, and high-quality materials, but the company also showcased true integrity for their interior design and the decorative arts. Their team retrofitted a 15th century castle in Normandy with the entire Braquenié collection, which showed true commitment to a historical site in quintessential French Style. This experience was both inspiring and educational; so, thank you Patrick Frey for your passion! I also got to ride around town on a spiffy electric scooter!
Favorite product you discovered?
Nobilis blew me away with their latest Charivari collection. One particular pattern rebirthed a centuries old tapestry, but with fresher and punchier color. This blend of new and old tells a wonderfully timeless narrative with such clever style.
Safe to say we are all guilty of some personal shopping in Paris – what was your most coveted purchase?
I desperately needed and love my hydrangea blue pair of cotton/fur gloves that I bought from a street vendor for 10€!
MELINDA BROWNING
MELINDA BROWNING INTERIOR DESIGN
DENVER
What is your main motivation for attending Paris Deco Off?
I fell in love with Paris at the age of 7 on a trip to Europe with my parents. As a dedicated lifelong Francophile, I look for any and every excuse to visit Paris! However, and this is a big HOWEVER, I was always resistant to attend Deco Off due to the January dates! When they moved to March of 2022 after the Pandemic, I thought "Okay, I'll go!!". Even though it was a very scaled down event, I was hooked -- vowing that I would return again and again. Paris Deco Off 2023 lived up to every expectation and then some! The opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends from around the world is so incredibly valuable, and to have the opportunity to watch the new collections be presented by the very teams that created them is a rich and rewarding experience. I also love connecting with all my favorite Kneedler Fauchère people. To be able to spend time together in such a special place and at such an amazing event is truly wonderful!!
One key highlight from the week that stood out?
I don't think I can limit it to one! The visit to the Chateau de Louye was a total highlight! The way Pierre Frey turned the Chateau into a Pierre Frey "Concept House" of sorts was brilliant. There was inspiration around every corner, and it was a perfect way to spend a French winter Sunday!
Also, it is always so fun to watch the brother/sister duo of Caterina & Raffaele Fabrizio present the newest Dedar collection. I love watching the two of them interact, and their love for and commitment to their parents' legacy is so palpable.
And the new Samuel & Sons Right Bank showroom is a total delight. I feel like a kid in a candy store every time I step foot in there!
Favorite product you discovered?
I would say the two most exciting discoveries came out of La Maison Pierre Frey. First, their acquisition of Bernard Thorp provides endless creative possibilities. I'm so excited about the customization options for smaller minimum orders. The second wonderful discovery was their new furniture line showcasing some of the best in European furniture design and manufacturing.
Safe to say we are all guilty of some personal shopping in Paris – what was your most coveted purchase?
I definitely ended up with less time to shop on this trip than is ideal, but I worked quickly with the time I did have! I went to Paris with the idea that I would select a new fragrance on this trip, and I did! Bois des Sables by L'artisan Parfumeur which is described as "Like a forest of precious woods suddenly emerging from the desert." I feel like this is perfect since I live in the High Desert of Santa Fe. I also picked up a fantastic ring by Parisian designer Charlotte Chesnais as well as a complete set of silverplate flatware from the 1940s from Jerome at the Marche Serpette. One of my favorite things to do in Paris is discover new designers, and I am newly in love with Mlouye which is a line of handbags designed by a former industrial designer. The bags are so architectural, I could not resist coming home with one! I spent an afternoon at La Samaritaine which is a "must see" for anyone who loves architecture! Also a stop at Hermes on Rue de Sevres is so much fun! It's located in the old swimming pool of the Hotel Lutetia and is so much fun to wander around in!
NOZ NOZAWA
NOZ DESIGN
SAN FRANCISCO
What is your main motivation for attending Paris Deco Off?
When I saw everyone’s experiences from Deco Off in January 2020, it looked incredible – so inspiring, such a fun opportunity to connect and meet new industry friends. I made plans to go to the “next” Deco Off in 2021… which became 2023… so I had a lot of pent-up excitement! While I love traveling to Paris, this was my first Deco Off, so I was really hoping to have more of a “guided tour” experience of seeing new product and attending events.
One key highlight from the week that stood out?
I have two: my visit to the Paris Flea Market, where I got to spend so much time in the Paul Bert Serpette galleries; and the out-of-body experience of walking into the American Party in Paris!!!
Favorite product you discovered?
Pierre Frey’s new Braquenié collection – particularly a combination of three fabrics presented that I loved together – “Scenes de campagne” + “Neville – Capucine” + “Anet – Corail”…the traditional and printed, mixed with modern texture, in vibrant “today” colors.
Pierre Frey / Braquenié collection
Safe to say we are all guilty of some personal shopping in Paris – what was your most coveted purchase?
Well, I suppose I only purchased one thing, spending most of my personal time eating and drinking everything in Paris! But I got a giant Fendi bag strap which I put on my Louis Vuitton bag, because I have no respect!
