Maison & Objet 2009: the ultimate wall of plates

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Also new at the Maison & Objet design show in Paris: the first fruit of Italian designer and architect Paola Navone’s recent assignment as artistic director of Richard Ginori 1735, the historic, nearly 300-year-old Tuscan porcelain manufacturer. They made a big statement with a vertiginous plate-covered wall.

Richard Ginori 1735 showcased a reissued edition of Art Deco Gio Ponti china as well as whimsical new designs from Navone: the Broken line of white plates ‘sewn’ together with imaginary painted black stitches; another series of tableware with the spontaneous allure of an artist’s palette; and a rose-patterned set of dishes for which Navone interpreted an 18th century floral pattern in a contemporary needlepoint vibe. (For a peek at some of these, click to the jump.)

“I’m inspired by everything!” Navone said, making rounds at the show. “People, travel, color, flowers. I’m very spongy!” And which dishes does she use at home? “I mix a lot,” she said. “Depends on the food, on the friends, on the house!”

Navone was in Paris also to launch a limited edition for Merci, a boho-chic concept store in a former textile warehouse that has become Paris’ newest design mecca. She rescued 1,000 kilograms (about 2,200 pounds) of slightly imperfect white porcelain cups, plates, teapots, spoons and other castoffs, transforming them into collector’s items on sale at Merci until Sept. 26.

-- Kristin Hohenadel

Above: The new Richard Ginori 1735 line inspired by paint samples.

Above: Paola Navone’s design, rendering an 18th century floral pattern in a style that resembles needlepoint.

Above: Navone’s pieces for the French store Merci.

Photo credits: Kristin Hohenadel (wall of plates) and Richard Ginori 1735 (all others).