Maison et Objet 2013: Green Designers Unveil DIY, Craft, and Natural Designs in Paris

There was plenty of glossy <a href="http://inhabitat.com/furniture/">furniture</a> and slick finishes at the enormous <a href="http://www.maison-objet.com">Maison et Objet</a> 2013 trade show in Paris this weekend, but the most exciting pieces on show went back to basics, taking inspiration from simpler processes (including <a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy/">DIY</a> and craft techniques) as well as Mother Nature herself. Humble materials, from bread to upcycled textiles, were transformed into thought-provoking designs that ranged from beautiful to disturbing. Here's what caught our eye.

Artist Tamara Kostianovsky uses a variety of fabrics and textures to mimic flesh and bone.

In the Nourritures Premières, or First Foods, inspiration section, even the lighting was eco and edible - like this chandelier made of root vegetables.

It's only when you get really close to Scholten &amp; Baijings' rhubarb stalks that you discover they're made of woven and stitched textiles.

Slovakian artist Tomáš Gabzdil Libertíny's beeswax vase was created in an actual beehive.

Maarten de Ceulaer's bowls are colored with food dye.

DIY electronics kits by Technology Will Save Us were featured in Maison et Objet's Pioneer inspiration area.

The new kintsugi repair kit by humade champions "the beauty of an imperfect repair".

Londoner Alex Randall's wall light incorporates a taxidermied squirrrel.

The plastic used for PIANOPRIMO's woven rug is the same material used for plastic bags.

PIANOPRIMO's knitted plastic wall baskets are easy to rinse off, and handy for holding baguettes and more.

The Loppa pendant light by Florian Hauseirth for Foundry comes flat-packed.

The special-edition Loppa pendant light is embossed with the lyrics from The Doors' "Light My Fire".

The “Temps Libre” armchair is made to be mobile, capable of being fully assembled and disassembled quickly.