cristina celestino's immersive palais exotique cafe at maison&objet 2022

During Maison&Objet fall 2022, Cristina Celestino created an elegant restaurant where visitors could converse, dine and relax, called Palais Exotique. The architect-turned-designer was awarded designer of the year by the trade show and sought inspiration from the city for her Parisian cafe. The temporary installation transported fair goers to a tranquil setting of exotic beauty, love for decoration and passion for colors.

‘I am very proud to be awarded designer of the year by Maison&Objet,’ begins Cristina Celestino in an interview with designboom at the 2022 fair. ‘I am also very happy to have been offered the opportunity to design this project. It is significant for an Italian designer to be selected by a French fair. This is especially as my work has always had a strong link with this country.’

Cristina Celestino created the Palais Exotique as an elegant bistro, tea room and restaurant

All images courtesy of Maison&Objet

Having studied and begun her career as an architect, Cristina Celestino ventured into the design of interiors, its furnishings and, even, with fashion brands such as FENDI. She started her own practice in 2013, devoted to her personal design philosophy that interplays the history of French art and Italian Renaissance with the present. The results bridge the era to deliver luxurious pieces for today.

The temporary installation transported fair goers to a tranquil setting of beautiful, colorful decoration

Palais Exotique sourced inspiration from the city of Maison&Objet. A Parisian cafe of the past has been brought into the modern day with contemporary touches. The space – a bistro, tea salon and restaurant depending on the time of day – offered fair visitors a chance to connect in a pleasant, peaceful setting far from the commercial aspect.

‘I chose to design a restaurant but Maison&Objet gave me the freedom to design a different space, whether a work area or exhibition. The cafe does not have a commercial distinction. In contrast to the rest of the fair, the products are placed in context rather than on display. People can take a seat, have conversations, and enjoy a more luxurious experience inside the ground,’ explains the designer.

A Parisian cafe of the past has been brought into the modern day with contemporary touches

The perimeter as well as internal space dividers of the restaurant utilized handwoven architectural furnishings by Ames. Made using natural fibers, the German-Colombian brand’s designs are also used as decorative wall art in a passionately bright yellow. A Celestino-designed low table for Ames furnishes the space along with other brand collaborations by the designer.

Celestino-designed products furnish the cafe, from Ames’ low table to the Moooi Aldora sofa

‘The restaurant features many of my designs for different brands. This includes the Corolla armchair and Frisée chair for Billiani that uses combinations of color upholstery for the seats. The Moooi Aldora sofa has a geometry inspired by the Italian Renaissance whilst there is also a sofa, Parterre, I designed for Quinti. All the furnishings work together in this luxurious setting,’ tells Cristina Celestino to designboom at Maison&Objet fall 2022.

Further collaborations are showcased in context at the Parisian cafe. The Corolla armchair and Frisée by Billiani, who the designer has been art director since 2019, highlighted her creative philosophy that balances an elegant yet fun aesthetic. The products also displayed her use of different materials and craft. Selected fabrics from Dedar add mixes of textures and colors to the space. The Quinti Parterre sofa, Moooi Aldora sofa, Attico vases and more pieces together accentuated the beauty, decoration and color of Palais Exotique.