The January Edition: Creativity, Boldness & Sensory Materials

Among the novelties, surprises, and inspirations that shaped visitors’ journeys, three standout trends made a striking impression.

Hospitable Curves

Sweeping curves defined the contours of objects and spaces within the What’s New? In Hospitality showcase. The Uchronia collective and studio brilliantly reimagined a hotel experience—from terrace to suite—championing the gentle fluidity of rounded forms and soft lines to welcome guests, whether for dining or a stay. Beyond addressing a deep-seated need for comfort in an unsettled world, these curves challenge the rigid confines of design, setting creativity free. The aesthetic also brings a touch of playfulness to furniture and accessories. From Constance Guisset’s Helio oak chairs for Drugeot Manufacture to the translucent, artisanal pieces by Atelier Horizon Verre, rounded silhouettes emerged as a defining theme across the show.

Intense Colors

Bold, daring, and high-contrast—color is shaking up the status quo. A departure from quiet luxury, this chromatic resurgence embraces risk, engagement, and sheer joy. Soft and powdery hues appear in the chairs and shelving of 13 Desserts, as well as in Gorbon Ceramics’ tables and stools. In Jonathan Adler’s collections and the AI-generated mannequins animating Flow in Fashion, curated by Daniela Leonini, color takes on a playful, uninhibited edge. Julien Sebban and Uchronia’s explosive hospitality vision revels in color, while Elizabeth Leriche amplifies its infinite possibilities. In the What’s New? In Decor space, designed by her eponymous style bureau, color is everywhere. Monochrome objects punctuate a room inspired by Sur/reality, this year’s theme, featuring a Dali-esque red sofa against a rich blue backdrop. Whether in matte or glossy motifs, color stretches from floor to ceiling, weaving hypnotic patterns, intricate geometries, and sensuous forms. “I always immerse visitors in evocative spaces,” notes Elizabeth Leriche. “I believe we crave different emotions and experiences. It’s about crafting a moment of magic.”

Materials That Stir Emotion

At the core of these defining trends lies a singular intent: to evoke emotion, to resonate on a sensory level. Named Designer of the Year, British visionary Faye Toogood offered an intimate and elegant scenography—a journey through her imagination, structured in four chapters: drawing, sculpture, landscapes, and materials. “The connection between humanity and nature is and will remain vital to how we create. That’s where my focus lies for the future,” she explains.
From raw fiberglass and aluminum to barium crystal, ceramics, and textiles, Toogood embraces both the strengths and imperfections of materials to provoke a tactile response. Meanwhile, Curatio, a collection of exceptional pieces curated by artistic director, designer, and interior architect Thomas Haarmann, masterfully explores the emotive power of materials through unexpected pairings: crystal meets raw concrete, wood dialogues with metal, ceramic challenges the softness of fabric. This interplay of texture and movement unfolded across booths—from Natalia Brilli’s raffia sculptures to the striking sculptural chairs by Korean designer Minjae Kim. The Signature sector further showcased the richness of these material encounters, featuring Paola Paronetto’s delicate ceramics and the bold compositions of Turkish design house Deya.

The Many Faces of Femininity

More than a trend, this is a commitment. Throughout the show, female voices, talent, and expertise took center stage, enriching perspectives and fostering dialogue. Faye Toogood embraced this ethos with her installation Womanifesto, while Margaux Keller, Virginie Friedmann & Delphine Versace, Yamina Benaï, and Delphine Plisson, among others, led conversations at Maison&Objet Talks. Architects, designers, entrepreneurs, and influencers amplified the initiative Women&Design by Maison&Objet, weaving a continuous narrative of female-led innovation from one event to the next.
Audacity, reinvention, commitment, and high-caliber creativity—Maison&Objet’s upcoming editions will be infused with the dynamic, inspiring energy ignited this January!