At Maison&Objet, from January 15 to 19, 2026, In Materia, a curated space by Elizabeth Leriche, invites visitors to rethink their relationship with objects. Located at the entrance to the Fine Craft – métiers d’art sector, the installation brings together an extraordinary range of materials - wood, fiber, glass, earth, and stone – each revealing new worlds and untold stories.
Through four distinct themes – GERMA, TERRA, FUSIO, and CRYPTA – the space takes us on a sensory journey, where materials become more than just objects; they become experiences.
GERMA: THE GROWTH OF MATERIAL
E.L: The GERMA capsule brings materials to life as if they were growing under the influence of light and water. Wool, wicker, textiles intertwine, wood, roots, stretching upward from the earth to the sky in a delicate, organic dance. The movement is both poetic and powerful, embodying the force of emergence. Leriche explains, "This theme evokes growing dunes, reeds, fertile soils - where materials unfold with both lightness and strength." GERMA celebrates the union of elements, breathing life into materials in a way that feels both primal and modern.
TERRA: THE EARTH’S RAW BEAUTY
With TERRA, the focus shifts to the raw, unrefined beauty of the earth. Here, materials shaped by human hands emerge as silent, heavy masses, shaped by the geological history of the land. Solid, primal forms - sculpted from stone, clay, and fertile soils - speak to an ancient connection between human hands and the earth. "TERRA celebrates the earth before it’s been refined, before it’s been transformed into something else," Leriche says. "It’s about returning to the roots, to the material in its most elemental form, ready to serve and to live." This theme is a tribute to the simplicity and beauty of nature's unpolished materials, which, at their core, are already objects of purpose.
FUSIO: PLAYING WITH FIRE
FUSIO is a fiery exploration of transformation. It delves into materials undergoing a metamorphosis, shaped by the intense power of fire. Heat cracks, oxidizes, and blackens surfaces, creating new forms marked by mutation. The result is an intricate play of textures, from bold red streaks to deep black markings, all captured in the raw energy of the element. Leriche explains: "This theme conjures images of volcanic eruptions, deserts, and molten earth - territories where the power of fire is ever-present." FUSIO celebrates the tension between strength and fragility, showing how fire can both destroy and create, leaving behind a surface that is as sculptural as it is elemental.
CRYPTA: THE SECRET OF STONE
CRYPTA takes us beneath the surface, exploring materials that lie hidden deep within the earth. It’s a journey into the heart of stone, where light and shadow play within the depths of caves and underground veins. Here, stone reveals its brilliance, its colors, its shine, its precious density. Glass reveals its transparency or its reflection. These materials, shaped by time, wait for the artisan’s touch to bring out their hidden beauty. "CRYPTA is about uncovering secrets," says Leriche. "The raw stone holds a story within it, and the craftsman’s hand reveals that story, turning the hidden into something radiant." It’s the art of unearthing beauty, of transforming the obscure into something luminous.
DISCOVERING NEW CREATORS AT IN MATERIA
IN MATERIA will also showcase a curated selection of talented creators and brands, each bringing their unique perspective to the world of material craftsmanship. Expect to discover inspiring works by Berangère Céramiques, Ottuno, Tressages pas Sages, Florence Lemoine, Barbara Billoud, Agnès K, Pascal Oudet, Sylvie Olive, and Atelier O’laine. These names, each a leader in their field, embody the innovative spirit of contemporary craft, offering a fresh take on timeless materials.


