Blankets, Throws Thrive at Maison

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 9/18/2006 12:00:00 AM

Paris —

Blankets and throws were an unusual standout category in the home textiles world at Maison & Objet here earlier this month.

Lightweight fabrics, airy in feeling and light as tissue or gauze, were shown in highly decorative but functional throws or shawls. Blankets also assumed a more fashionable look in both fabric constructions and pattern designs. Again, the look was light but functional in terms of warmth.

Naturals and neutrals across the spectrum of home textiles provided further validation of the trend that has been taking hold in the United States.

In bedding, jacquards were few and far between, with cottons, silks and lightweight textures featured as the base cloths for a broad array of top of bed designs. One standout approach featured designs that stretched across the width of a bed, either printed, appliquéd or embroidered.

While there was no single color favorite, soft aquas, hot pinks, reds and the entire purple family worked alone or in tandem with the still-important brown family.

Decorative pillows, from playful novelties to styles created by mixing a mélange of fabrics and trims, were seen in many stands.

Across all categories, stripes were a consistent favorite.

Overall, this was a Maison & Objet of evolution, not major trend news.