Ah!  Paris in September!  Paris becomes more exciting with each visit!  The pulse, the architecture, the museums, the shop windows, the food, etc. etc.  And the people are wonderful.  (On two separate instances men voluntarily carried my suitcase up the stairs of the Metro.)  Unfortunately, I don’t speak French which I blame on a genetic defect . . . it’s definitely not from a lack of trying!

Maison et Objet, Paris’ home décor show, is predominantly a showcase for French manufacturers.  I was amazed by the consistency of trends from one booth to another and among the various categories of products.  Trends were more constant than I’ve ever observed in my umpteen years of attending trade shows, design conferences or the walking of city streets, whose forever goal is the detection of trends.   

Also, I was struck by the fact that several of these trends threaded the show and Paris’ shop windows.  There was a constancy of colors, color combinations, color-blocking, and a huge emphasis on the environment.  (I’d like to address each of these categories, but will do so one at a time.)

“Color-Blocking” can be achieved with two colors, two textures, two patterns or a combination of color, texture, pattern.  (remember high school algebra’s combinations and permutations?)  Blocking creates a divide.  It stops the eye.  A color, a texture, or a pattern alone is no longer enough.  They are being used in concert with one another to establish interest.  Blocking creates a counterpoint.  It’s the unexpected mix of finishes or details that adds character and individuality to a product, a room, a display. 

I saw a plethora of upholstered furniture exhibiting color blocking . . . a 3-cushioned sofa in 3 graduated colors from grey to taupe to black plus beaucoup contrast-cording.  (Remember contrast-cording from the late 1970’s and early 80’s?)  Color-blocking in case goods was displayed with contrasting drawers or doors.  A solid colored dresser with textured drawer fronts.

Vases, objects and containers of all shapes and sizes also showed evidence of color blocking:

·         Black vase – mosaic tile pattern all over – half matte finish and half gloss finish

·         Solid aubergine container - a large (off-centered) patterned circle in mauve tones

·         Tray - a solid taupe square in the center -  surrounded by an equal-sized patterned frame.

All examples were clean, minimal, unpretentious, understated, and uncomplicated, yet they all achieved a high level of art and sophistication.

The word “blocked” prejudices one to visualize squarely.  Color can be blocked horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and curvilinearly.   The goal of “Color-Blocking” is to create a yin-yang . . . to create a divide . . . to stop the eye . .  to create unexpected interest.

What can you do with your store or products to:

·         Stop the customer’s eye

·         Create interest

·         Create a divide between categories

·         Create the unexpected

Please share your thoughts and ideas.

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