Europe's biggest décor show — Maison & Objet — is underway in Paris, giving the world a first look at the trends, patterns, colors and styles that will define interior design, circa 2012 . British design journalist Ellie Tennant made the trip and shares her take on the highlights with Apartment Therapy in this special report...

LIGHTING:

French designers from studio Adónde presented a new hanging version of their Disque lamp with 3D semi-painted wooden shapes on the flex providing zingy pops of fluorescent pink.

The new 'Bougies Russes' candle holders by Stephan Lanez on the By Marcel stand were breath-taking; A set of six bell jars that stack together like Matrioshka dolls when not in use, they're made of glass that's milky at the base so it looks as though mist or smoke is trapped inside. A dream-like and magical design, just right for the CRAZY theme of this year's show.

Danish studio Normann Copenhagen officially launched the new flat-pack 'Bau' light made up of wooden discs in primary colours (or plain natural finish) that slot neatly together. No two discs are the same! Hours of fun.

Elsewhere, there were innovative zip-up mesh 'Moire' lamps from Marc Sarrazin at Petite Friture, which can be used as pendants or rested on the floor.

British artist Rory Dobner launched a new range of neon light fittings, just in time for Valentine's Day.

So many great new products but, as a Brit, my favourite has to be the 'Nessie' desk lamp from French studio at-once. The cable creates the humps of the Scottish Loch Ness Monster's back and dinosaur-like neck - it's genius!

LIGHTING LINKS:

• Adonde
• By Marcel
• Normann Copenhagen
• Petite Friture
• Rory Dobner
• At Once

TEXTILES AND UPHOLSTERY:

Italian brand Missoni presented giant pouffes, modular sofas and accessories covered with 'Macro Knit' - a printed, magnified pattern of chunky knitted textiles. It's craft reinvented for the digital age and, of course, achingly cool - but perhaps also strangely familiar to anybody who visited Dutch brand Snurk at Amsterdam's Woonbeurs exhibition last year.

Quirky French label La Cerise Sur le Gateau launched Anne Hubert's latest designs, including cute new 'Clogs' with fluorescent spots and fun 'Jean Loup' (wolf) designs.

Textile artist Lorna Syson teamed up with furniture maker John Luff to launch the new 'Bradbury chair' - with an American black walnut frame and upholstered in Lorna's geometric-print fabric. It's super-comfy and beautifully made.

Studio MissPrint shared the new 'Little Trees' fabric - perfect for upholstering a retro sofa, it goes well with the studio's new 1950s-inspired 'Mountains' wallpaper in the background.

Lastly, Puff and Flock's disturbing Sofa So Good was on display in the dark tunnels of the Sweet Freaks installation. With monstrous tentacle arms to hug you (or strangle you?) and horrific hair-covered cushions, it was perfect for the twisted nightmarish display. Ercol has never looked like this before.

TEXTILES & UPHOLSTERY LINKS:
• Snurk
• Missoni
• La Cerise Sur Le Gateau
• Lorna Syson Textiles
• MissPrint
• Puff and Flock
• Sweet Freaks area
• Ercol

COLOR TRENDS:

As usual, the Danish exhibitors led the way with new color trends; Both Ferm Living and Hay showed new ranges in similar palettes of pastel hues - pale salmon pink, icy peppermint green and soft pale blues and lilacs - with dark petrol greys and small hits of fluorescent colors.

Ferm Living's new wall-mountable display cases, trays and stackable storage pots were a delight - and featured these fresh, on-trend shades.

Hay's incredible display area didn't disappoint; The stunning colored 'Box Box' cartons were my personal favorites.

Meanwhile, the geometric Tapis Folk rugs by Sylvain Willenz on Chevalier édition's stand featured triangles and checks in 2012's key colors - and even their press pack was pale salmon pink and grey!

COLOR TREND LINKS:
• Ferm Living
• Hay
• Chevalier Edition

OTHER KEY TRENDS SPOTTED AT MAISON:
• Hexagons, octagons and multi-faceted shapes
• Bright, sunny yellow
• Moustaches (!)
• Body parts and organs - no, really
• Tile-effect wallpapers
• Concrete
• Paper-like dainty porcelain

Report and Show Photos: Ellie Tennant

(Images: Show photos: Ellie Tennant, Manufacturer/Designer Images: as linked above)