'Ah, Paris! Every January, the City of Light shines a little brighter, as the global Design community gathers to discover the latest and greatest at Paris Design Week. Maison et Objet offers seven worlds of discovery on one massive campus, while Deco Off throws open the doors of chic showrooms and salons in the heart of the city. The events this winter did not disappoint, with 10 noticeable trends taking centre stage – some expected, with a few interesting surprises,' Jennifer Farrell shares in her article for Design News Now.
Jennifer Farrell is a renowned celebrity designer, television host, and award-winning interior and product designer in the US with over two decades of experience. Founder of Jennifer Farrell Designs, she gained national fame hosting numerous design shows. With Design News Now she shares the ten trends to bring home from Paris Design Week.
1 Shadow play
An intriguing use of chiaroscuro and movement of shadow found its way into case goods, with free-floating louvres and organic dimensionality harnessing darkness and light to paint texture into traditionally flat surfaces. One particular standout was by Joséleite de Castro, debuting a collection of cabinets and credenzas with a plaster-like bas relief finish, emulating river rock and Roman arches.
2 Soft rock
Curved stone was everywhere: travertine stools, marble tables, limestone chairs – all with rich earthy hues and soft rounded shapes. The concept of stone invoking a feeling of "softness" resonated throughout Maison et Objet, particularly on proud display at the Giobagnara exhibit, with design collabs by Glenn Sestig and Stéphane Parmentier.
3 The human form
Body parts lay strewn about Paris like couture carnage, with the human form as inspiration for furniture, art, and décor. Tables shaped like feet, sculptural installations of floating lips, hands morphed into chairs, vases made of breasts (yes, Jonathan Adler has been doing that forever, but breasts never go out of style).
The human physique influenced much of the week, with a trend that's likely to resonate for years (and one this designer was pleased to see, as it's a theme that's woven through my own collections with Global Views).
4 Global culture of design
It's a conversation happening in real time amongst the leaders of the design industry: a movement towards embracing the global culture of design, and the intimate, connective tissue of that design experience. Pieces that feel hand crafted, artisan wrought, with a sense of heritage and history presented in a post-modern light.
Centuries-old Asian weaving techniques and ancient tribal artifacts became live theatre moments that felt as though they'd been created in the future instead of the past, with the haunting "Zombis" exhibit at Musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac feeling both eternal and post-apocalyptic – but in such a beautiful way.
5 The Bronze Age
Metallic tones of burnished gold, polished honey bronze, and weathered brass made for a warm welcome in the metals world, and enhanced Pantone's choice for Mocha Mousse as the Colour of the Year. Those yummy bronze tones effused their way into every surface, with coffee and clay hues in fabrics, stains, and tiles – offering a warm welcome to kick off 2025.
6 Epicurean heirlooms
"Bon Appetit" might be the most common phrase in Paris, and for good reason: the hottest trend in kitchens is "haute cuisine" – which, literally translated, means "high kitchen." Heirloom cooking appliances, like those meticulously handcrafted by La Cornue, may be steeped in history, but the attention to detail, heritage story, and handcraftsmanship that are driving the "Global Culture of Design" movement make artworks like the Chateau Series a trend nouveau.
Marmi offered a flawless counterpoint to the Epicurean Heirlooms trend with their Editions No 3 unveiling. Bespoke sinks, islands, backsplashes, and hoods of carved stone with perfect metal detailing elevated the kitchen from function, to flawless form.
7 Whimsy
The theme of Maison et Objet this season was "Sur/Reality," with hints of Alice in Wonderland informing postmodernist furnishings and decor. A sense of humour was at play in Furniture and Art alike, bringing whimsy and fun to unexpected places – like space alien sculptures and stuffed swan chairs from AP Collection.
8 Not quite white
While the cream bouclé sofa took a firm hold a few seasons ago, crisp white accessories and decor have been a mainstay for designers – until this year. Vases, sculptures, and portable lighting were in tones of cream, ecru, and eggshell, adding warmth and accessibility to sculptural objects.
9 Live edge rugs
The rectangular rug gave way to interesting edging, with organic shapes creating a modern energy much more in harmony with today's curved silhouettes than the traditional four-sided box. As executed so beautifully in César Giraldo's Spring 2024 collection for Merhaban, the live edge came alive again in the Tai Ping showroom, with a tribute series paying homage to legendary woodworker George Nakashima, showcasing pieces that felt fresh and timeless.
10 Elevated outdoor
The biggest surprise for this interior design mecca was how much outdoor furniture was on display. By far the largest outdoor furniture exhibition in recent Paris gatherings, the trend was for bespoke outdoor seating and dining collections that have been crafted to emulate the luxury materials of interior furniture. Tuuci's Luma collection was a standout example, with woven back seating that would be at home in any living room – indoors or out.
Find the original article with inspirational images on Design News Now.