By Anita Bloom, Creative Director, Decorex Africa

There are few places quite like Paris when it comes to design. Add Maison&Objet, Paris Design Week and a whole lot of creative energy into the mix, and you have the ultimate design adventure.

For the Decorex Africa team, our September visit to Paris was extra special this year. Not only were we there to experience the latest ideas, products and trends from around the world, but we were also there to celebrate an incredible moment for South African design.

For the design industry in Africa, however, this year’s edition of Paris Design Week will be remembered as one of its most historic. For the first time in its history, South Africa was selected as the spotlight country of Maison & Objet. Beyond and above this, the city was alight with smaller presentations of the continent’s leading designers across the Paris Design Week programme. 

“Being in Paris for Maison&Objet at a moment when South Africa was the spotlight country was incredibly significant for us at RX Africa. Our partnership with Maison&Objet is about creating meaningful opportunities for our design community to connect with the wider world, and it was exciting to see that relationship translate into such a strong African presence in Paris.

What stood out for me was the sense of momentum across the continent. From the Rising Talent showcase to Lagos Design Week’s ‘All Roads Lead to Lagos’ presentation, we were seeing African designers not simply participating in the global design conversation, but contributing to and shaping it. Seeing the work of emerging Nigerian and South African designers presented alongside some of the world’s leading names was a powerful reminder of how much talent and creative energy exists across Africa — and how important it is that we continue to build platforms that give that talent the international visibility it deserves.”

At Decorex Africa, we’re incredibly passionate about bringing the continent together, and recently initiated another significant continental partnership with Lagos Design Week, which we were so thrilled to see showcased as part of the Paris Design Week Factory. Following their presentation at 100% Design Africa at Decorex Joburg this year, it was so exciting for us to see their ‘All Roads Lead to Lagos’ world tour continue onward to Paris, where Lagos Design Week founder Titi Ogufere showcased seven emerging Nigerian designers. The designs coming out of Nigeria right now are so elegantly realised, and brought such a vibrant feeling to the exhibition. With so much going on in the world at the moment its easy to lose sight of how much we have grown as an industry, and seeing Africa’s designers take their place among some of the best in the world makes our whole team incredibly proud.” 

The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly seeing South African creativity celebrated on the international stage.

Seven South African designers and studios were selected for the 2026 Rising Talent Awards and presented their work within Maison&Objet's Design District: Meetlo Studio, Studio Lloyd, Simphiwe Mlambo, NISH, DEFT Studios, Pinda Interior Design and Karlien van Rooyen.

Their work showcased just how diverse South African design has become.

There was contemporary furniture and lighting, textiles, rugs, objects and craft-led pieces, with influences ranging from personal histories and cultural traditions to indigenous knowledge and local making.

And importantly, there wasn't one single definition of what South African design should look like.

Instead, each designer brought their own point of view — from bold colour and sculptural forms to handwork, experimentation, storytelling and beautifully considered materials.

For Decorex Africa, being there to experience the exhibition and attend the Rising Talent Awards celebration was a very special moment.

Seeing South African designers receive international recognition was a proud reminder of the incredible creative talent we have right here at home.

One of the things we loved about Maison&Objet was how much the experience went beyond simply looking at products.

The 2026 theme, Pulse in Motion, explored design as something energetic, collective and constantly evolving. Created with trend agency NellyRodi and brought to life with creative duo Masquespacio, the concept flowed throughout the exhibition.

There were installations, emerging designers, new brands and curated spaces designed to give visitors a glimpse of what could be coming next.

The What's New? concepts were particularly fun to explore, offering a snapshot of new products, ideas and changing ways of living, shopping and experiencing our homes.

And one thing was clear: design is increasingly about how we want to feel, not simply how our homes look.

That idea continued into the show's retail and lifestyle conversations, where changing consumer behaviour is influencing the way products and spaces are experienced.

It is a shift that feels increasingly familiar in our own homes too.

We are no longer simply choosing a sofa because we need somewhere to sit, or a beautiful table because we need somewhere to eat. We are thinking about how a space makes us feel, how we entertain, how we relax, how we connect and how the objects around us become part of our everyday lives.

In other words, good design is becoming increasingly personal.

And then there was Cook & Share — one of the most delicious corners of Maison&Objet.

The sector brought together tableware, cutlery, cooking, entertaining and gourmet gifting, alongside live culinary demonstrations, chefs and a dedicated conference programme.

It was a lovely reminder that design doesn't stop at the walls of our homes.

It is in the table we set for friends. The plates we choose. The glassware we bring out for a celebration. The kitchen where everyone ends up gathering — and all those little details that turn an ordinary meal into a memory.

Of course, no Maison&Objet trip would be complete without experiencing Paris itself.

With Paris Design Week taking place across the city at the same time, the design experience spilled out of the exhibition halls and into galleries, stores, showrooms, installations and unexpected spaces.

Suddenly the entire city becomes part of the design trail.

And that's one of the things that makes Paris so magical: inspiration is everywhere. In a shop window. In an old building. In a tiny café. In the colours of a street. In the way someone has styled a table or arranged a collection of objects.

Our camera rolls certainly came home much fuller than they left.

But beyond the photographs, the trend spotting and the kilometres walked, what stayed with us most was the feeling of discovery — and, this year especially, the pride of seeing South African creativity celebrated in one of the world's most important design destinations.

Maison&Objet 2026 left us feeling energised by the possibilities of design — from expressive colour and sculptural forms to beautiful craftsmanship, thoughtful materials and objects that tell a story.

And perhaps that's the best thing about travelling to places like Maison&Objet.

You don't have to recreate a Parisian apartment or completely redesign your home.

Sometimes one beautiful object, an unexpected colour, a new texture or a fresh way of arranging a room is enough to spark an idea.

Because great design isn't about following every trend.

It's about discovering what makes your space feel good.

A huge congratulations to the Maison&Objet team on another inspiring edition — and especially to our seven South African Rising Talents for representing our creative community with such confidence and individuality.

Paris, we'll definitely be seeing you again. 🇿🇦 × 🇫🇷