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Maison&Objet 2025: A Surreal Journey into the Future of Design

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The curtains have fallen on Maison&Objet January 2025, and the buzz is far from settling. This year’s edition left an electrifying trail of creativity, innovation, and bold artistry that pushed boundaries and redefined expectations. With its provocative theme, Sur/Reality, the event was a masterstroke of imagination, merging surreal whimsy with tangible design in ways that delighted and challenged in equal measure. From otherworldly ceramics to groundbreaking installations, Maison&Objet proved once again that design has the power to transcend the ordinary.

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Maison&Objet Paris. Jan. 16-20, 2025


Here’s a deep dive into the standout highlights of this edition, proudly presented with Design Courier as one of the Media Partners

The Sur/Reality Revolution: A Neo-Surrealist Renaissance

At the heart of Maison&Objet 2025 was its central theme, Sur/Reality a poetic homage to the surrealist movement of the past, reimagined for a modern audience. This wasn’t just an aesthetic exercise; it was a philosophy that permeated every corner of the show.
From absurdly whimsical ceramic cabbages by Bordallo Pinheiro to Jonathan Adler’s dreamy cloud-shaped seating, the theme came alive in tangible, touchable creations that balanced fantasy and functionality. The message? That design can offer a sense of escapism, especially in a world as chaotic and unpredictable as ours.
Beyond the playful forms, the event explored a profound intersection of technology and surrealism. With AI-driven designs and digital tools echoing the surrealists’ methods of automatic writing and “exquisite corpses,” creators wove a rich tapestry of visual narratives. The blending of past and future resulted in objects that provoked thought, sparked joy, and expanded the boundaries of what design could achieve.
Immersive scenography pulled visitors deeper into the theme, with each installation a stage for storytelling. Whether in the form of Pilar Zeta’s virtual landscapes materialized into reality or bold furniture that defied conventional logic, Sur/Reality was a celebration of the extraordinary.

&KLEVERING <br /> Image copyright: ©DR
&KLEVERING
Image copyright: ©DR
Image copyright: © SELETTI
Image copyright: © SELETTI

Faye Toogood: The Maverick Designer of the Year

The spotlight this year shone brightly on Faye Toogood, Maison&Objet’s Designer of the Year 2025. The British visionary is renowned for her fearless creativity, seamlessly blending art and practicality. Her installations were nothing short of spellbinding, offering visitors a window into her world of unorthodox yet profoundly human design.
Toogood’s journey has been as inspiring as her work. Drawing from her rural English upbringing, her designs reflect a tactile connection to nature. Eschewing technological distractions, she focuses on raw materials and intuitive forms. Her career-defining Roly-Poly Chair has become a global icon, celebrated for its playful, sculptural aesthetic.
This year, Toogood unveiled her latest collection, Assemblage 8, where furniture became interactive puzzles, designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Represented by the prestigious Friedman Benda gallery and with pieces housed in major museums worldwide, Toogood embodies the ethos of experimentation and inclusivity, making her a trailblazer for women in design.

What’s New? In Decor VISUAL <br /> Image copyright: @Elizabeth Leriche
What’s New? In Decor VISUAL
Image copyright: @Elizabeth Leriche

What's New? Triple the Inspiration

Maison&Objet’s celebrated What’s New? concept returned with a vengeance, offering three distinct spaces brimming with fresh ideas: 

What’s New? In Hospitality by Julien Sebban. Sebban’s space was a surreal retreat called Hôtel Uchronia, where fluid forms, optical illusions, and fabric-draped dreamscapes merged comfort with audacity. Collaborating with esteemed partners, the design came to life through Treca Paris, which crafted the custom round bed, and Tonester Paints, which developed the bespoke color palette. A bar that shifted personalities from day to night and a Master Bedroom with Salvador Dalí-inspired touches turned this into a haven of sensory wonder.

What’s New? In Retail by François Delclaux. Delclaux’s concept store masterpiece was a playground of imagination. Divided into themes like Curiosity Cabinet and Natureculture, it showcased avant-garde pieces through poetic contrasts and trompe-l'œil illusions. Animated displays and hands-on coaching brought a practical edge for retail professionals.

What’s New? In Decor by Elizabeth Leriche. Leriche transformed her hall into a labyrinth of surreal environments, from a hypnotic forest to a corridor of curiosities. Inspired by André Breton, the journey celebrated the subconscious, awakening a childlike sense of wonder in every visitor.

What’s New? In Decor by Elizabeth Leriche <br /> Image copyright: @Anne-Emmanuelle Thion
What’s New? In Decor by Elizabeth Leriche
Image copyright: @Anne-Emmanuelle Thion
What’s New? In Hospitality by Julien Sebban <br /> Image copyright: @Felix Dol Maillot
What’s New? In Hospitality by Julien Sebban
Image copyright: @Felix Dol Maillot

Curatio: A Love Letter to Collectible Design

One of the most talked-about spaces this year was Curatio, a stunning showcase curated by German designer Thomas Haarmann. Nestled in Hall 7’s Signature sector, Curatio lived up to its name—Latin for “care”—by spotlighting fifteen designers whose works combined artistry and functionality with impeccable craftsmanship.
Haarmann’s scenography was a sensory spectacle, where opposites collided in harmony: crystal met raw concrete, sleek forms danced with retro influences, and materials told stories of past and present. This bold interplay invited visitors to see design through a narrative lens, emphasizing emotion over mere admiration.
With names like WonderGlass, Imperfettolab, and Zieta Prozessdesign, the space became a treasure trove of collectible pieces, offering decorators and architects endless inspiration for luxury projects.

Curatio by Thomas Haarmann <br /> Image copyright: @Anne-Emmanuelle Thion
Curatio by Thomas Haarmann
Image copyright: @Anne-Emmanuelle Thion
Curatio by Thomas Haarmann <br /> Image copyright: @Anne-Emmanuelle Thion
Curatio by Thomas Haarmann
Image copyright: @Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

Tomorrowland: A Festival of Design and Storytelling

The legendary festival Tomorrowland made its Maison&Objet debut, and the result was pure magic. Known for its grandiose stages and enchanting experiences, Tomorrowland showcased how design and storytelling are inseparable.
Visitors were transported into a world where every element, from the largest installations to the smallest details, was crafted with purpose. Belgian artisans and cutting-edge designers collaborated to create an immersive narrative that celebrated beauty, sustainability, and innovation.
Beyond the festival, Tomorrowland’s influence extended into fashion, fiction, and eco-conscious initiatives like the Love Tomorrow project. With the Tomorrowland Foundation nurturing creativity in children, the brand proved that design could inspire not just awe but action.

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