Contemporary Interior Design

• Posted on 28th May 2012 by Nicola Holden

This year I was again invited to attend The French Design Forum, hosted by the Trade Commission of the French Embassy, UBIFRANCE. Even though this is a small event, I always look forward to this exhibition due to the exceptional quality of the craftsmen that present themselves, and this year was no exception.

With skills covering everything from master weavers to stone sculptors, here are some of the artisans that delighted me this year.

Firstly, the Benoît Toscan workshop which specialise in the unique cylinder embossing and raised copper-plate printing of Amiens velvet. The results of these two processes are simply stunning. The company doesn’t have a website so I can’t find images to do this product justice, but this is just one example of what they can produce.

Next up is Atelier Muquet, who specialise in producing decorative panels with wood, metal and polymer to recreate the effect that time and place have on materials, using techniques including patina, fading and corrosion. They had some truly beautiful finishes on display.

Jallu produce beautiful bespoke furniture using techniques that were popular during the Art-Deco period, including straw marquetry, horn veneers and parchment. These elements combine to product the most wonderful finishes on the furniture. I am coveting this coffee table which is made using parchment and straw marquetry.

Beautiful parquet floors are the speciality of Etablissements Romoli, who use marquetry traditions to create these wonderfully intricate patterns maximising the variety of natural colours in their woods.

La Forge de Style produce beautiful ornamental metal-work using traditional French techniques married with modern technology. The company specialises in the fabrication of stairs and railings in bronze, copper and titanium.

And finally, whilst we’re on the subject of architectural features, I thought I’d mention stone mason Nicolas Bonnet whose stone transformations include fireplaces, fountains, stone stairways and old-style stone flooring.

I am already looking forward to next year’s French Design Forum!

“The design process, at its best, integrates the aspirations of art, science, and culture.”
Jeff Smith

Image credits from respective companies.

Related posts:

Exceptional French Artisans from the French Design Forum

• Posted in French Design Forum, Interior Design | 5 Comments

  Comments Closed

  5 Responses to The French Design Forum 2012

  1. Tanya Rennick says:

     1 June 2012 at 4:57 pm

     I’ll go halves with you on the coffee table. Absolutely stunning! The velvet is beautiful too. Wow, want, some now!
     • Nicola Holden says:

       6 June 2012 at 2:28 pm

       Absolutely – that was one of my faves!!
  2. Karen Haller says:

     6 June 2012 at 5:33 pm

     I went to this event last year. The workmanship and quality is amazing.
     • Nicola Holden says:

       6 June 2012 at 9:14 pm

       Here, here!
  3. Charlene Hutsebaut says:

     10 June 2012 at 6:07 pm

     Love the flooring and the fireplace.