Highlights from the Maison & Objet Design Fair 2025
Exhibitors at this January’s edition of the show embraced the surrealism theme with playful, rule-breaking designs
The latest edition of the Maison & Objet fair, held at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre from 16 to 20 January, explored the line between real and imaginary through its bold theme, Sur/Reality. The joyous celebration of a century of surrealism welcomed unbridled creativity inspired by the fundamental principles of the movement born under the influence of André Breton in the 1920s.
We took a look at the many ways designers explored the theme to create contemporary products that were bold, playful and confident.
We took a look at the many ways designers explored the theme to create contemporary products that were bold, playful and confident.
“What’s New? In Hospitality” by Julien Sebban. Photo by Felix Dol Maillot.
A maximalist vision
The “What’s New? In Hospitality” space by Julien Sebban of Uchronia, photographed here with Mélanie Leroy, managing director of the show, was another highlight. The designs reinvented the rules of hospitality with unexpected shapes and playful creations, including this chandelier, made in collaboration with Murano glassware, and the round bed made in partnership with Tréca.
A maximalist vision
The “What’s New? In Hospitality” space by Julien Sebban of Uchronia, photographed here with Mélanie Leroy, managing director of the show, was another highlight. The designs reinvented the rules of hospitality with unexpected shapes and playful creations, including this chandelier, made in collaboration with Murano glassware, and the round bed made in partnership with Tréca.
Vases, Fluid Market. Photo by Anne-Emmanuelle Thion.
Delicious décor
Meanwhile, François Delclaux transformed the “What’s New? In Retail” space into an avant-garde concept store where merchandising became art. The bright and colourful displays unveiled some of 2025’s key trends for our interiors: confectionery transformed into decorative objects and designs inspired by the culinary world, including Fluid Market’s collection of whimsical vases, seen here.
Delicious décor
Meanwhile, François Delclaux transformed the “What’s New? In Retail” space into an avant-garde concept store where merchandising became art. The bright and colourful displays unveiled some of 2025’s key trends for our interiors: confectionery transformed into decorative objects and designs inspired by the culinary world, including Fluid Market’s collection of whimsical vases, seen here.
The Curatio space by Thomas Haarmann. Photo by Anne-Emmanuelle Thion.
Surrealism on show
Exhibitors at the event brilliantly aced the surrealist theme with lots of enchanting designs.
“The guiding principle for this show is an utterly wild and colourful theme that encourages us to break the rules,” said interior architect Harmonie Henrio during a Formae/Archistorm discussion. “It makes me think of the mood of Poor Things with Emma Stone and also the images created using [AI design tool] Midjourney. You see a mix and match of objects and environments, as Thomas Haarmann did by bringing together different artists, materials, scales and eras in his Curatio space (pictured) and making them interact, which also invites us to free ourselves from established conventions.”
Surrealism on show
Exhibitors at the event brilliantly aced the surrealist theme with lots of enchanting designs.
“The guiding principle for this show is an utterly wild and colourful theme that encourages us to break the rules,” said interior architect Harmonie Henrio during a Formae/Archistorm discussion. “It makes me think of the mood of Poor Things with Emma Stone and also the images created using [AI design tool] Midjourney. You see a mix and match of objects and environments, as Thomas Haarmann did by bringing together different artists, materials, scales and eras in his Curatio space (pictured) and making them interact, which also invites us to free ourselves from established conventions.”
Mirror, PolsPotten.
Imaginative mirrors
Surrealist mirror designs were a prevalent feature at the show, many creating a hypnotic confusion between the real and the imaginary. The star attraction, a collection of ‘melting’ mirrors by PolsPotten (pictured) that resemble Dalí’s melting clocks, rubbed shoulders with distorted reflecting surfaces by Homa.
Imaginative mirrors
Surrealist mirror designs were a prevalent feature at the show, many creating a hypnotic confusion between the real and the imaginary. The star attraction, a collection of ‘melting’ mirrors by PolsPotten (pictured) that resemble Dalí’s melting clocks, rubbed shoulders with distorted reflecting surfaces by Homa.
Home Studyo booth. Photo by Matthieu Coin.
Innovation meets illusion
Innovation shines through in the unexpected processing of materials. Home Studyo disrupts our points of reference with its ceramic vases and mirrors that echo the inflatable plastic of buoys.
Effects of scale
Scale is another cherished surrealist principle that featured strongly in this edition. Oversized pendant lamps and monumental installations punctuated the space, culminating in the impressive, metres-long white lion overlooking the Brandy Roger gallery booth.
Innovation meets illusion
Innovation shines through in the unexpected processing of materials. Home Studyo disrupts our points of reference with its ceramic vases and mirrors that echo the inflatable plastic of buoys.
Effects of scale
Scale is another cherished surrealist principle that featured strongly in this edition. Oversized pendant lamps and monumental installations punctuated the space, culminating in the impressive, metres-long white lion overlooking the Brandy Roger gallery booth.
Hands, Lladro.
The human body
Representation of the human body was a recurring theme at this year’s show. We came across outstretched hands, joints in protective symbols, and watchful eyes inspired by hamsa, a Mediterranean tradition, as well as stylish lips.
The high point was the remarkable re-release of the Shiva vase – an iconic work by Ettore Sottsass dating back to 1973 – thanks to a collaboration between Capsule magazine/book and BD Barcelona. These anatomical representations echo the pieces by surrealist greats such as Hans Bellmer, Man Ray or Salvador Dalí, who saw the fragmented body and desire as vectors for expression and freedom.
The human body
Representation of the human body was a recurring theme at this year’s show. We came across outstretched hands, joints in protective symbols, and watchful eyes inspired by hamsa, a Mediterranean tradition, as well as stylish lips.
The high point was the remarkable re-release of the Shiva vase – an iconic work by Ettore Sottsass dating back to 1973 – thanks to a collaboration between Capsule magazine/book and BD Barcelona. These anatomical representations echo the pieces by surrealist greats such as Hans Bellmer, Man Ray or Salvador Dalí, who saw the fragmented body and desire as vectors for expression and freedom.
Vases, PolsPotten.
A bold chromatic colour scheme
The surrealist influence vividly appeared in the choice of colours and materials across the show. Designers were experimenting with textures and layering transparency and reflection effects to create striking optical illusions.
These iridescent side tables by PolsPotten (pictured) perfectly illustrate this quest for hypnotic, changing surfaces.
A bold chromatic colour scheme
The surrealist influence vividly appeared in the choice of colours and materials across the show. Designers were experimenting with textures and layering transparency and reflection effects to create striking optical illusions.
These iridescent side tables by PolsPotten (pictured) perfectly illustrate this quest for hypnotic, changing surfaces.
Seletti booth. Photo by Matthieu Coin.
The intense Majorelle blue chosen by Mazharia for its vase collection (not pictured), presented on an electric yellow base, interacted with the colourful and eccentric realm of Italian brand Seletti. The booth (pictured), decorated in primary colours, served as a chromatic manifesto. These adventurous combinations break the traditional rules of interior design, introducing new energy into the collections.
The intense Majorelle blue chosen by Mazharia for its vase collection (not pictured), presented on an electric yellow base, interacted with the colourful and eccentric realm of Italian brand Seletti. The booth (pictured), decorated in primary colours, served as a chromatic manifesto. These adventurous combinations break the traditional rules of interior design, introducing new energy into the collections.
“What’s New? In Decor” by Elizabeth Leriche. Photo by Anne-Emmanuelle Thion.
A shift towards more emotional design
At a time when modern interiors predominantly feature light tones, often verging on monotony, a new trend is emerging: quirky, flamboyant and colourful pieces. These pieces have made their mark in our interiors as sources of joy and emotion beyond their basic use.
A shift towards more emotional design
At a time when modern interiors predominantly feature light tones, often verging on monotony, a new trend is emerging: quirky, flamboyant and colourful pieces. These pieces have made their mark in our interiors as sources of joy and emotion beyond their basic use.
Mambo Factory.
Limited-edition collections and capsules flourished on the show floor, signalling the rise of accessible “collectable design”. It’s an approach where the unnecessary becomes desirable, and fantasy becomes part of our daily lives without breaking the bank.
This rise in accessible emotional design is perhaps the beginning of a new era in the interior design world that’s more playful and uninhibited.
Tell us…
How do you feel about surrealism in interiors? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Limited-edition collections and capsules flourished on the show floor, signalling the rise of accessible “collectable design”. It’s an approach where the unnecessary becomes desirable, and fantasy becomes part of our daily lives without breaking the bank.
This rise in accessible emotional design is perhaps the beginning of a new era in the interior design world that’s more playful and uninhibited.
Tell us…
How do you feel about surrealism in interiors? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Hypnosis and illusion
The “What’s New? In Decor” space, curated by trend forecaster Elizabeth Leriche, was an immersive exhibition space with a surrealist feel, and drew inspiration from artists such as Dalí and Magritte. There were plenty of hypnotic patterns, including this wall-to-wall carpeting by Galerie B paired with the blanket from Mapoésie.