Design Notes from Paris
Inspired in Paris: Fabrics, Design, Food & Fresh Beginnings
Spending time in Paris last week was the perfect way to kick-start the year, filled with inspiration, creativity, and the pleasure of reconnecting with friends and suppliers. Paris Déco Off and Maison&Objet were an absolute joy to attend, offering an energising immersion into new fabrics, wallcoverings, colour, and ideas.
Paris Déco Off takes place across the Saint-Germain district and Rue du Mail, and I love how the event quite literally lights up the city. Each exhibiting company creates its own lampshades using their fabrics, lining the streets in a way that feels both playful and poetic. They look beautiful by day and magical at night. Shops and galleries rent out their spaces to fabric houses for the week, transforming the neighbourhood into a living, breathing design showcase.
Some of my favourite stops this year were Arte, Liberty, Chase Erwin, The Sign, Tom Faulkner, Boråstapeter, Kravet, and TipToe. I especially loved seeing the new collections I worked on during my maternity cover at Chase Erwin and The Sign last year. Seeing them now, fully launched and receiving such a positive response, was incredibly rewarding - they are looking superb.
Maison&Objet, meanwhile, is all about objects for the home. This year I was sourcing bedding, cushions, and throws for a number of projects. Standout favourites included Donna Wilson, Wallace & Sewell, beautiful bedding from the French company Aigredoux.fr, the Finnish brand Lapuan Kankurit, and throws made in France by Brun de Vian-Tiran.
I’m very drawn to yellow at the moment, so it was a pleasure to see how this colour was being used throughout the show. I’m also exploring the idea of introducing antique found mirrors into my studio, and the mirrored rooms at Maison&Objet were particularly inspiring. I love the way mirrors bring reflection and distortion to pattern, adding depth and intrigue.
Alongside work, Paris always inspires me through its art, and this year did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed Minimalat the Bourse de Commerce, as well as visiting Notre-Dame and seeing firsthand the extraordinary craftsmanship that has gone into its restoration.
Food, of course, was another highlight. I returned to one of my long-time favourites, La Closerie des Lilas, for delicious seafood, and also loved going back to the inspiring hotel La Fantaisie. There, we enjoyed incredible sea bass carpaccio followed by fresh black-truffle orzo - perfect last late lunch on the way back to the Eurostar.
I love being in Paris, and the city felt especially positive this time. What a wonderful, inspiring way to begin 2026.
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