interview with ilse crawford, maison et objet's designer of the year 2016

each year, maison&objet acknowledges the most outstanding names of the international design and decor industries and showcases each one of these creative protagonists during the four global fair’s annual editions. every occasion gives the selected individual a space entirely dedicated to them, where they have the opportunity to showcase their work and express their design practice in a manner they see fit. for this year’s paris edition, london-based ilse crawford has been selected as designer of the year and following her recognition, she has created an area at the fair called the ‘designer’s studio’—a haven amidst the trade show’s visual noise.

designboom talked with ilse crawford about designing this space for maison et objet

when creating the ‘designer’s studio’, crawford had one thing in mind—to generate a space where visitors could retreat from the busy fair, a place to relax, collapse, recharge, recap, reconnect, regroup and refresh. the result is a generous area that has been divided into different zones where furniture and lighting dictate and enhance the various activities. the multipurpose venue is completely modular and can be disassembled and packed in order for it to be able to be moved and used again—taking into consideration today’s ecological needs.

a long table sits in the middle, allowing individuals and groups to meet and work
image © designboom

a timber frame partially encloses the ‘designer’s studio’, where to the left of the entrance, tables and benches extend out to create intimate one-to-one meeting spaces to sit, talk, write and reconnect. a long table with integrated power sits in the middle, allowing individuals and groups to meet and work. a quiet zone is located behind this one, where large floor plants and sofas set the relaxing tone, giving the visitors an area to slow down. for quick stops, standing tables and perching stools offer a place to pause or browse through books and magazines found around. a larger flexible space, furnished with crawford’s collection for zanat, is ideal for larger groups to gather, discuss and share, thanks to the benches that can be easily moved, reconfiguring the space.

for quick stops, standing tables and perching stools offer a place to pause or browse through books and magazines
image © designboom

ilse crawford began her career as a journalist and was the founding editor-in-chief of ELLE decoration UK. after over a decade working on editorial, different events led her to create her own practice called studioilse in 2001 with oscar peña. crawford’s work is characterized by the principle of putting human needs and desires at the centre of the design. throughout the years she has delighted us with both interiors and products, ranging from restaurants to hotels to bars. all of them have common denominators like comfort and sense for those who use them. one of her latest collaborations was with IKEA where she translates her philosophy of democratic design into the ‘sinnerlig collection’, which is composed of lamps, accessories, and furniture, with everyday useful pieces that celebrate the tactility of natural materials.

large floor plants and sofas set the relaxing tone of this area, giving the visitors an area to slow down
image © designboom