Maison&Objet: 3 Designs By ames In Palais Exotique

The Paris-based Maison&Objet trade fair (September 8-12) has named Italian designer Cristina Celestino as this year’s Designer of the Year in recognition of her outstanding work in international design. Three designs created in collaboration with the German-Colombian label ames will feature prominently in her “Palais Exotique” installation. This will be staged at the Mariage Frères restaurant for the duration of the trade fair.

Interior design with an exotic touch, strong colours and great attention to detail combine to create natural-looking settings that directly appeal to the senses. This is an invitation to visitors to embark on a journey into another reality.

The following three ames designs by Cristina Celestino will be presented at the “Palais Exotique”:

Victorias side tables

The circular frame and V-shaped gap in the table-tops edge of the sophisticated Victorias side tables are inspired by the up to three-meter large leaves of the enormous tropical water lily Victoria amazonica. The table top with a raised edge is subsequently attached to the curved tubular steel base with four slim legs. The two larger models can be decorated with cushions that are upholstered with a cover woven with leaves of the Cumara palm. This type of palm grows in the Amazonas region. Here, people use its soft, yarn-like fibres for bags, hammocks and other everyday objects.

Macranta

With Macranta, ames presents an extraordinary piece of wall decoration. The floral ornament is inspired by Colombia’s largest orchid, the Coryanthes macrantha. These flowers only grow high above the ground in “ant-garden” nests. These are subsequently built in the crown of trees. This association with ants allows them to produce large blossoms all year long. Some subsequently measure up to 12.5 cm. Cristina Celestino’s artistic ode to this fascinating orchid is a spectacular eyecatcher in any room: its diameter measures one meter.

Cattleya

Furthermore, Cristina Celestino designed a collection of decorative statement wall textiles for ames. Named cattleia, the pieces are inspired by the Cattleya orchid. This is Colombia’s national flower, and are part of Amazonia, the Italian designer’s inaugural furniture and accessories collection for ames. The ornamental flowers are made by hand. Furthermore, it incorporates the fibres of the Jipi palm, using different techniques including knotting, weaving and braiding. The result is a balanced composition of fine lace-like details and playful spirals. These two decorative styles are popular in northern Colombia’s traditional artisanry.