MAISON&OBJET – the view of interior designer Maria Beregovaya
The start of a new year marks the beginning of the global design week season. Each exhibition serves a vast, multifaceted showcase of ideas, reflecting the diversity of its participants. It’s fascinating to see how each designer interprets the event through their unique lens – spotting details that align with their personal style and creative vision, while identifying emerging trends. Interior designer Maria Beregovaya shared her impressions of the Paris edition with us.
About the Exhibition
Exhibition: MAISON&OBJET
Location: Paris
Dates: January 16–20, 2025
I’m Maria Beregovaya, an interior designer with over eight years of experience. Currently based in Paris, I am deeply immersed in the city’s vibrant design scene and make it a priority to attend every major professional event. Recently, I visited the renowned MAISON&OBJET exhibition, held in January 2025. Below, I’ll share my impressions of the event, the standout brands, and this year’s top design trends.
Exhibition theme
If I were to describe the exhibition in three words, I’d say it was energizing, unusual, and inspiring.
This year’s exhibition theme, “Sur/Reality,” explored the boundaries between reality and fantasy. It was a celebration of unexpected combinations of shapes, materials, and colors.
Elizabeth Leriche, a Paris design stylist known as a trend hunter has been setting the trends for the exhibition area for several years.
She described the theme as an exploration of imaginary paradises—an invitation to dream and dive into the unconscious.
It embraced elements of humor, extravagance, surprise, boldness, fresh perspectives, and a space for freedom. She evokes the dreamlike realms of surrealism in a way that its founders would surely have approved of.
Trends
Many innovations showcased this year carried a strong ecological message. One standout was the Italian brand House of Lyria, which creates textiles dyed with natural ingredients like spices, coffee, and herbs—resulting in beautiful, modern fabrics. It was interesting to see how a designer from Hong Kong showcased furniture with unusual shapes, featuring frames that were 3D-printed.
Several trends stood out:
– optical illusions,
– mirrors, glossy and polished surfaces,
– thoughtful spaces,
– contrasting colors and prints.
Oval-shaped seating—already popular in previous seasons—returned in even brighter fabrics. Designers also played with scale, featuring oversized chandeliers and lampshades.
Marine themes, mother-of-pearl accents, and whimsical – including mushrooms, fish, and animal motifs —added playful touches.
The exhibition was truly a wellspring of creativity, sparking ideas I’m excited to bring to life in my work.
Interesting Brands
A few brands caught my eye, and I’d love to highlight them:
– JMstyle Furniture & Gallery (jmstyle.com.hk): A Hong Kong-based manufacturer collaborating with various designers to produce furniture in complex, unique shapes using 3D-printed frames. They even offer custom furniture orders based on personal sketches.
– Jonathan Adler (jonathanadler.com): Known for surrealistic designs, Jonathan Adler’s latest creations feel more relevant than ever.
– 101 Copenhagen (101cph.com): A minimalist brand that stood out with its earthy, rich, and complex color palette. Their understated yet deeply impactful designs provided a serene contrast to the exhibition’s surreal theme.
Key Inspirations
When asked which ideas or methods I’d like to incorporate into my future projects, three stood out:
– Bolder use of color: After several years dominated by minimalism, I’m ready to reintroduce bright shades.
– Table lamps as floor lamp alternatives: Placing a table lampshade on a small table instead of a traditional floor lamp adds a fresh, creative touch.
– Whimsical shapes as interior accents: A little humor in design can go a long way in lifting spirits.
Designer contacts:
Iinstagram.com/beregovaya_interior