Maison et Objet January 2025 was a Vibrant Confluence of Creativity and Innovation

In the heart of a bitterly cold Parisian winter, the January 2025 edition of Maison et Objet was held between January 16-20 at the Parc des Expositions near Charles de Gaulle Airport. It includes seven halls with more than 2,300 brands showcasing their latest collections and creates an inside look into the latest home design and lifestyle trends. What we found is warmth and vibrancy coming to the decor, design and lifestyle sectors.  

The fair is design’s answer to Paris Fashion Week and twice a year, design lovers and industry insiders converge on Paris to unearth the latest trends in the world of home design and interiors. This year’s event welcomed an enthusiastic crowd, many international attendees, proving itself to be more than just a trade show. It is a dynamic hub for industry progress and community engagement. 

The most recent edition of Maison & Object took place January 16-20, 2025 in Paris, France. Photo courtesy Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

Maison et Objet 2025 saw significant participation, with 69,086 unique visitors, including a diverse mix of 55% distributors, 36% specifiers, such as architects and designers, and 9% manufacturers. The show featured 2,377 brands, including 594 new exhibitors, with a strong international presence from 59 countries. France led with 38,763 visitors, followed by Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other nations, underscoring the show’s global appeal. 

The event served as a strategic partner for key players across the entire spectrum of the decor, design, and lifestyle industries, and was a great way to kick off the design year for anyone interested in architecture and design. This year’s edition, characterized by originality, boldness, desirability and innovation, marked a significant milestone in Maison et Objet’s history. It stood at the crossroads of business and creation, offering an indispensable platform for decoding trends and expanding business opportunities. 

It featured an eclectic array of exhibitors from around the world, each presenting their groundbreaking contributions across various domains such as home decor, furniture, textiles, and technology. This provided a wealth of fresh ideas and materials, serving as a vital resource for designers and architects eager to stay ahead of contemporary trends. 

Coinciding with the Centre Pompidou’s Surrealism blockbuster exhibition, the big trend at Maison’s show explored the theme of “Sur/Reality,” where surrealism and modern design intersected in a showcase of creativity and innovation. Photo courtesy Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

Surrealism as a Trend 

Drawing on the centennial of Surrealism last year, and coinciding with the Centre Pompidou’s blockbuster Surrealism exhibition, a big trend at Maison explored the mesmerizing theme of “Sur/Reality,” where surrealism and modern design intersected in a showcase of creativity and innovation. The “Sur/Reality” theme brought a surrealistic flair to the event, inviting attendees to rethink the boundaries between dream and reality. This was most evident in displays that featured everyday objects reimagined with surreal, whimsical twists — an example being Bluetooth speakers shaped like vintage phonographs and ceramic pieces that defied traditional forms. This creative approach not only reflected the show’s theme but also resonated with contemporary societal shifts toward more imaginative and escapist forms of design. 

Investing in Creativity 

Maison et Objet 2025 was particularly noted for its strategic investments in creativity designed to attract new and qualified visitors. The show featured a carefully curated selection across 15 sectors, each embodying the spirit of innovation. The signature “What’s New?” program showcased highly desirable projects and emerging trends, redefining industry standards and expectations. 

What’s New? In Hospitality 

Julien Sebban, the founder of Uchronia, and who is better known for designing Sonia Rykiel boutiques, introduced a colorful hotel concept, called the Hotel Uchronia, that challenged the status quo with its cheerful juxtaposition of motifs and bespoke pieces from brands such as iBride, Giobagnara, Diptyque and Philippe Hurel, just to name a few. The theatrical setting where reality was distorted through the use of layers of fabric, opened up to a dreamlike interior, rich in scents and sounds to evoke an emotional response. The hyper-styled master bedroom, a bathroom as a work of art, a reimagined fitness room, a living garden, a mysterious smoking lounge and a rejuvenating spa — all create a luxurious yet relaxed hotel atmosphere, fun and thoughtfully suspended in time, a signature of Julien Sebban and a tribute to the Sur/Reality theme. 

The Hotel Uchronia installation was curated by Julien Sebban, and was a colorful hotel concept which included brands such as iBride, Giobagnara, Diptyque, and Philippe Hurel, just to name a few. Photo courtesy Felix dol maillot

What’s New? In Decor 

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Surrealism, trend forecaster and curator Elizabeth Leriche created enchanting decor scenarios — ranging from enchanted forests to beds in the clouds and upside-down rooms, further reflecting the fair’s Surrealist theme. These installations allowed visitors to easily identify the upcoming season’s trends, providing a surreal and poetic take on interior design, one that is underlined by dream-like, fun and fantastical objects.   

What’s New? In Retail 

François Delclaux crafted a unique retail experience, designed as a concept store. The What’s New? In Retail space included a curated selection of products sourced from exhibitors and arranged under four themes (Cabinet of Curiosity, Daydreams & Pleasure, Illusions, Natureculture), all inspired by Sur/Reality. Each piece was marked by a heightened reality, with unique or even extravagant qualities in terms of form, materials, color or use. Three animated display windows echoed the show’s main themes (Sustainable, Museums, French Made). Finally, the Merch Plug & Play section offered turnkey solutions for retailers; this time inspired by fast food, imagined as a “designed bar.” The dozens of products foreshadowed what the future of boutique retailing holds for us. 

Designer of the Year Faye Toogood explored women’s roles in design in a presentation entitled “Womanifesto!” which included furniture, fashion, rugs, sculptures and other objects. Photo courtesy Celia Spenard-Ko

WOMANIFESTO! 

This groundbreaking installation by Designer of the Year Faye Toogood explored women’s roles in design in a presentation entitled “Womanifesto!” Showcasing the British designer’s multidisciplinary approach, the exhibit provided a deep dive into Toogood’s creative process, highlighting her transition from conceptual shadows to vibrant light, revealing the depth of her artistic vision, and included furniture, fashion, rugs, sculptures and other objects. The theme also highlighted Maison’s ongoing commitment to showcasing and promoting the work of female designers and architects.  

Curatio: Art Meets Design 

The Signature Hall featured “Curatio,” an exhibition curated by Thomas Haarmann that elevated everyday objects to the status of artwork. This innovative display highlighted how craftsmanship can merge seamlessly with art and design, ideal for both collectors and aesthetically driven spaces. These pieces blended craftsmanship with serious materiality, technique and form to create new perspectives on where design is going. It included excellent brands including James Haywood Atelier, Studio Henry Wilson, and Alexa Lixfeld 

Rising Talents Awards At each edition of Maison, the fair organizers highlight emerging designers from around the world. This edition recognized seven young designers from South Korea who worked with everything from raw stones and threaded bolts, to horse hair and recycled newspapers. Design studios included Dahye Jeong, Kuo Duo, Minjae Kim, Niceworkshop, Sisan Lee, Woojai Lee, and In Yeonghye. 

Standout Brands The Belgain brand Serax collaborated with Kris Van Assche, former creative director at Dior Homme and Berluti, on his first collection of interior objects. The Josephine Collection is inspired by his grandmother’s bowls and vases, and reinterprets those shapes by inserting squares into the crisp designs. Among other product launches were cute owl-shaped vases by Marni and black and white mussel-shaped objects by Wouters & Hendrix. 

Seletti debuted its Superfurniture collection that drew inspiration from the radical postmodern design of the 1960s and 1970s. That rule-breaking quest for freedom is expressed in a diversity of pieces, from bistro tables to beds, embracing bold eye-catching colors and playful, geometric compositions. Hello Again’s idea was about creating something that would be iconic, ironic and accessible. 

Seletti debuted its Superfurniture collection that drew inspiration from the radical postmodern design of the 1960s and 1970s. Photo by officeinsight

For the 14th time, the Italian furniture brand Pedrali went all out with the design of its booth, this time designed by Milan’s DWA Design Studio, with the theme of PedraliColoursofLightness. The stand featured an ethereal, dreamlike space that highlighted a masterful use of color and lightweight materials. The display includes three distinct scenes, with many of the products flexible enough for home or office. The first featured the Buddy and Buddy Oasi collections by Busetti Garuti Redaelli, offering dynamic, configurable seating arrangements paired with Diego side tables and illuminated by Tamara pendant lights. The second scene presented an outdoor setting with the aluminum-framed Rizz table and Narì armchairs, complemented by the Twiny rug and the versatile Hevea furnishing element, integrating nature with the stand’s architecture. Lastly, the third space mimicked an outdoor living room with the Nolita sofa and Nolita Relax armchair, designed for conviviality and relaxation, maintaining the collection’s summertime allure. 

Maison and the City 

Running concurrently, Maison & Objet in the City/Déco Off, saw more than 100 showrooms put on special and exclusive events in the City of Light, which further connected attendees with the artistic and cultural essence of Paris.  

Unlike other trade shows in the United States and elsewhere, where organizes see anything off site as a competitor, the organizers of Maison et Objet have carefully selected more than 100 showrooms, as part of its “Maison in the City” program, which put on special and exclusive events. Those events further connect attendees with the rich artistic and cultural essence of Paris. This initiative allowed visitors to engage deeply with the city’s design landscape by touring a curated selection of Paris’s top design spots and architectural wonders. The tour included exclusive visits to renowned design studios, artisan workshops and innovative retail spaces that are not typically accessible to the public. 

Other highlighted offsite events included Mathieu Lehanneur whose “Here & Now” exhibition at Christie’s showcased a new collection of initial chairs, each one unique and spoke to the DNA of initials. Lighting and furniture brand Veronese collaborated with American paint brand Tonester to highlight trendy new colors. 

American designers are increasingly participating in events during Maison. Acclaimed interior designer Roger Thomas, formerly of Wynn Resorts, did a book signing, hosted by Italian textile brand Rubelli, for his latest tome, “Resort Style: Spaces of Celebration” (Rizzoli Books). It was standing room only and attended by notable designers including Lauren Rottet and Alex Woogmaster. 

The response to the “Maison and the City” tours was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees appreciating the opportunity to gain direct exposure to Paris’s design elite and to draw inspiration from these encounters. This bridging of the gap between the theoretical aspects of design discussed in the trade show and their practical applications in some of Paris’s most innovative spaces was seen as a valuable expansion of the Maison et Objet offering, deepening the cultural and professional impact of the event on its international audience. 

The “Maison and the City” program was especially designed to showcase how Parisian design extends beyond the trade show into the city’s everyday life. Emerging galleries such as Pradier Jeaneau and Le Berre Vevaud had great highlights of the work of the next generation of French designers, showcasing an important part of the French design ecosystem. Compare this with the American furniture market, which is made up of small independent designers creating small batch productions, or private family-owned furniture manufacturers and the huge furniture brands like Haworth and MillerKnoll, which are more risk-averse to nurturing emerging designers.  

Reflecting on Maison et Objet January 2025, it was more than just a trade show; it was a comprehensive experience that celebrated the fusion of creativity, commerce and culture. The event solidified its status as a pivotal platform for professional growth, inspiration and international exposure in the design world. Architects and designers who participated are already applying the insights and inspirations they gained to their practices, proving once again why Maison et Objet remains an essential event in the global design calendar. 

A Look Ahead 

As Maison et Objet 2025 closed, the anticipation for future events grew. With plans already underway for the September 2025 and January 2026 editions, the excitement within the design community is palpable. The continued online presence through MOM (Maison&Objet Online Match) ensures that the dialogue and business initiated at the show will persist throughout the year, reinforcing Maison et Objet’s role as a pivotal player in the global design arena. The next edition of Maison et Objet takes place September 4-8, 2025.