Paris Shows Preview - Part 2: What to See
If you’re navigating the offerings of Paris Deco Off and Maison et Objet, here’s a curated list of showrooms and experiences that stand out for their craftsmanship, innovation, and enduring relevance. Featuring images from last year’s Paris shows!
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Craftsmanship Meets Creativity
This left-bank enclave features some of the most dynamic design houses, with both permanent showrooms and opo-ups lining a maze of streets. This is the densest area, so try to spend at least a full day here. If you are making appointments, be sure to cluster them by area, as running back and forth from neigborhood to neighborhood takes up sprecious time.
Élitis, known for pushing boundaries in wallcoverings, offers a tactile exploration of material innovation. Karin Sajo, a true talent of textile design, is one I never miss. For those drawn to the theatrical, de Gournay’s hand-painted wallcoverings embody artistry at its finest, while Zuber (acquired in 2023 by Pierre Frey) will continue to show their stunning artisanal hand-blocked papers at their showroom on Rue Bonaparte.
Other notable spots are listed below, and be sure to keep your eyes open for new favorites.
Notably, Fromental and Jakob Schlaepfer will not be participating in 2025.
Cover star of TTE 20 - French Finesse, Karin Sajo presents a pop-up of her colorful work.
Pop-up / Galerie Seine
55 rue de Seine, 75006 Paris
Now part of Pierre Frey, I visited this amazing producer of woodblocked wallpapers (est 1797) last year.
36 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
Hand painted and hand embroidered wallcoverings. Ask to see the upstairs apartment!
15 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris
Pierre Frey
This multi-sensory installation promises to transport viewers to the desert. Kilim patterns, embroidered jacquards and reinterpretations of archival Berber carpets will convert the historic Hôtel de Guise into a showcase of their new collection.
72 Rue de l’Université; Wednesday, January 15, to Saturday, January 18, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m, and Sunday, January 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Paris based company specializing in the creation of exceptional rugs.
10:00–7:00PM, Galerie Alain Marcelpoil
28 rue de Seine, 75006 Paris
The Paris outpost of the famed Venetian fabric house, often with notable young design collaborators.
11 Rue de l'Abbaye, 75006 Paris
The Vale London is launching the Maddox Collection at their debut Paris pop-up. 01.15–01.18 from 9AM–6PM
Pop-up / 3 1 Rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris
This Pierre Frey-owned Frend heritage brand has a lovely assortment of silks and cottons with quirky elegance.
3 Rue de Furstemberg, 75006 Paris
Italian family-run house specialized in fabrics and wallcoverings for curtains, sheers, upholstery and walls.
20 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
Highly considered rugs, wallpapers, and fabrics created to complement one another since 1928.
38 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
Client Pop-Up Alert: Saint-Germain-des-Prés District
Jiun Ho will be participating in a pop-up space with like-minded brands Sarah von Dreele, Parete, and JG SWITZER. We will be launching a new textile collection, Mixteca, that I helped to design and source. Last year, I helped Jiun to design and realize a fully embroidered and sequin embellished version of his Kaba cabinet. This cabinet was selected as one of BOH’s top Paris Debuts! Be sure to stop by to see what we have created this time - I can’t wait to see it come together! I will be at the opening party on Thursday evening.
01.15–01.18 from 9:30AM–7:30PM
Opening Party 01.16 from 5–7PM
Pop-up / Galerie Gimpel
Muller 12 Rue Guénégaud, 75006 Paris
Last year’s Design Rendezvous pop-up.
Jiun Ho’s Kaba cabinet.
The Rue du Mail Design District
Several iconic names in textiles and trimmings anchor this historic area, which has a well-heeled, uptown vibe. Prelle is a personal favorite, with a hidden upstairs showroom featuring their lush silks, all woven in Lyon. The company’s deep history acts as a springboard for creativity, and there is always something lovely to see.
Nearby, Houlès delivers a comprehensive range of trimmings and hardware, often in collaboration with guest designers. Their collections are a reminder of how thoughtful detailing can transform a space. Lelièvre showcases fabrics and furnishings deeply rooted in French design tradition in their second floor showroom, which also highlights Quenin, Tassinari & Chatel,and Jean Paul Gaultier.
It’s not all French, either! The U.S., Denmark, and England are represented by Kravet (8 rue du Mail), Kvadrat (17 Rue du Mail), and Romo (3 rue du Mail) respectively. Walk the street and pop in to whatever appeals.
Fabrics, rugs and furniture faithful to their French style since 1914.
13 rue du Mail, 75002 Paris
Silk fabrics made in Lyon, with customized trimming from Passementerie Verrier Paris.
5 Pl. des Victoires, 75001 Paris
Trimmings, hardware, and fabrics since 1928. The jewel-box street-level room is always beautifully done.
13 rue du Mail, 75002 Paris
Interior design showroom showcasing furniture, tabletop, textiles and rugs in an elegant setting.
14 rue du Mail, Paris 75002
Editor of furnishing fabrics and wallpapers since 1872, with a very French flair.
23 rue du Mail, 75002 Paris
Family owned designers + manufacturers of traditional French fabrics since 1935.
27 rue du Mail, 75002 Paris
A Special Collaboration - Rue du Mail District
I was thrilled to learn that passementerie talent Elizabeth Ashdown was tapped by Samuel + Sons to create a special collection, and even more excited when Marisa Gutmacher (Samuel + Sons Design Director) shared that she had learned about the work through The Textile Eye! I could not be happier and cannot wait to see the results at the Paris launch! Here is our cover featuring Ashdown’s stunning work:
Custom and semi-custom trim, braids, tassels and more.
23 rue du Mail, 75002 Paris
Elizabeth Ashdown as featured on TTE 15: Passementerie Redux
Maison et Objet: Beyond the Expected
A quick RER trip to Villepinte is well worth the effort. This year’s theme, “Sur/Reality,” offers a surreal lens on modern design, from fantastical installations to material experiments. While Maison et Objet is vast, I recommend prioritizing the Craft and Signature sections, where you’ll find artisan-made products with a clear, innovative point of view. Don’t miss the curated “What’s New?” showcases for a quick overview of emerging trends. More details in Part 1 of this post.
Exhibitions
Lesage embroideries are spectacular, and the company is celebrating 100 years with an exhibition that I won't miss. It has been extended beyond its original close date on Jan 5--hooray!
le19M, 7 rue de Lille, 75007
Large-scale fiber art by Olga de Amaral is also on my list; I am looking forward to seeing so many of the Colombian artist's works in one place!
Online booking is required on the weekend.
Fondation Cartier, 261 Bd Raspail, 75014
For the fashionistas!
This Dolce&Gabbana exhibition covers the history of the brand and explores the way Italian culture informs their aesthetic.
Grand Palais, 7 avenue Winston Churchill, 75008
For those arriving early, this show at the Centre Pompidou closes January 13th. Reflecting the theme of this year’s show, the exhibition retraces 40 years of Surrealist art.
Pompidou Center, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004
Image: Max Ernst, "L'ange du foyer (Le triomphe du surréalisme)", 1937 © Adagp, Paris. Vincent Everarts Photographie
Retail and Surprise Finds
For a break from the showrooms, head to India Mahdavi’s vibrant shop on Rue Las Cases, where her architectural eye transforms interiors into joyful statements. Seeing her color sense in an immersive space is a true pleasure.
Lastly, make time to wander. The fabric-laden streets of Saint-Germain and hidden galleries in the Marais often hold unexpected delights, from vintage trims to boutique ateliers. With so much to see, Paris in January remains a masterclass in design.
I can’t help but visit this store when in Paris. The original purveyor of the original Chanel tweed, their workshop boasts the largest yarn selection in the world. Stop in for a dose of inspiration! CASH ONLY!
Viaduc des Arts, 19 Av. Daumesnil, 75012
While a phone lanyard can be an eyesore, I’ve found a few that people can’t stop asking about. I use it to keep my phone handy for photography! I’ll be stopping by La Coque Francaise at Le Bon Marché to pick up another, and they’ll have an exhibit by artist Ernesto Neto on display from 01.11-02.23.
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
24 rue de Sèvres 75007
India Mahdavi
Showroom of Iranian/French designer and architect, India Mahdavi, known for her colorful interiors.
3 Rue las Cases, 75007 Paris
Any favorite spots we missed? Please share in the comments!
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