A century after the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts, the Salon Les Nouveaux Ensembliers invited a new generation of interior designers to envision “The Embassy of Tomorrow,” in a nod to Art Deco. For this anniversary edition, Passementerie Verrier collaborated with OUD and Marion Mailaender Studio on two projects where trimmings are fully integrated into the furniture design.
For OUD
In the French Ambassador to Egypt’s Office designed by OUD, the mirror provides an unexpected canvas for passementerie. Its geometric frame was entirely sheathed in micro-cords, adding tactile relief and texture while softening the rigor of its lines. Selecting the right cord texture, achieving uniform application, and negotiating the mitered corners required extensive testing and adjustments to ensure the wrapping hugs the frame’s geometry seamlessly. On the Old Cataract armchair, cords and tassels complement the warm tones of the leather and accentuate the metal framework without weighing it down. Tassels also appear on the lecterns, where their supple drape breaks up the strict regularity of the lines.
For Marion Mailaender Studio
In the dining room designed by Marion Mailaender, passementerie becomes an expressive pop of color. On the china cabinets, turquoise-blue cords terminate in tassels crafted with three tiers of fringe. The traditional turned-wood molds are replaced here with crisp white elements that contrast with the yarn, lending the design a distinctly graphic edge. On the banquette, the approach is markedly understated: two long brown tassels extend from the bolster backrest on either side of the seat. Their fluidity counterbalances the banquette’s rigid geometry—a subtle detail that transforms the entire piece.
