From 10 to 14 September 2026, Maison&Objet Pulse will take over the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center.
Vincent Lhoste discusses the trade show’s role in enhancing Paris’s international reputation
MF: Vincent Lhoste, you took on the role of CEO at Maison&Objet last January. Your mission is to accelerate the growth of the trade show dedicated to interior design, design, and lifestyle, particularly by promoting its ecosystem. What impressed you most about the way the Maison&Objet ecosystem operates in Paris?
VL: What impressed me most was the strength of the ecosystem that has built up around Maison&Objet over the past thirty years. The trade show is more than just five days of exhibitions twice a year: it brings together an international community of brands, designers, architects, influencers, distributors, and professionals who connect throughout the year.
In Paris, this dynamic takes on a special dimension thanks to the ongoing dialogue between our various events: Maison&Objet Premier in January, followed by In The City, which invites professionals to discover Paris’s showrooms and must-visit spots; Maison&Objet Pulse in September, in tandem with Paris Design Week, which showcases design throughout the capital; and finally MOM, our digital platform, which extends networking and business opportunities year-round.
What’s remarkable is the way Paris has become the focal point of this ecosystem. The trade show, the events held throughout the city, and the digital platform all work together to create a seamless experience, where professionals can discover trends, expand their networks, and grow their businesses well beyond the few days of the show.
MF: This fall, you’re clearly distinguishing between the two editions: Maison&Objet Premier in January, focused on prestige, expertise, and artisanal excellence; and Maison&Objet Pulse in September, focused on bold, thoughtful, and sustainable design, with a more immersive and collaborative dimension. Why make this choice now, and what does it mean for professionals?
VL: We wanted to give each edition a strong identity so that they would meet different yet complementary expectations. January is when brands unveil their major collections and highlight their craftsmanship, quality, and excellence. September is more focused on experimentation, innovation, new uses, and the changes of our time.
For industry professionals, this evolution provides greater clarity. Each event becomes a unique experience, with editorial content, a selection of brands, and highlights designed to align with current market trends. This complementary approach enhances the value of each edition.
MF: Maison&Objet Pulse is held at Paris Nord Villepinte. What does this Paris location bring to a trade show of this scale?
VL: Being held in Paris is a real asset. The capital enjoys a unique reputation in the fields of creativity, design, interior design, fashion, and lifestyle. It’s a destination that naturally attracts professionals from around the world, especially in an international geopolitical context that enhances the appeal of major European destinations.
The September trade show remains a very large event. The Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center allows us to host an international event under the best possible conditions, while remaining connected to the energy of Paris. Visitors extend their experience beyond the fair, particularly through Paris Design Week, galleries, exhibitions, showrooms, and the capital’s creative districts. This synergy between the fair and the city is a real added value.
MF: Paris je t'aime - Tourist Office supports international event organizers like you. How does this support specifically contribute to the success of a trade show like Maison&Objet?
VL: The Maison&Objet trade show is held in Villepinte, but most visitors arrive and stay in Paris. They often come from far away to explore the show’s aisles, but increasingly, visitors are taking the opportunity to attend Paris Design Week in the city or even do a bit of sightseeing. Paris Je t’aime is therefore an essential partner in helping our trade visitors choose exhibitions, hotels, and restaurants. With the Paris Je t’aime app, they can find everything they need to make their stay as enjoyable and productive as possible.
MF: The theme of this edition, “Pulse in Motion,” was developed in collaboration with the NellyRodi agency—an expert in foresight within the creative industries—and brought to life by the design studio Masquespacio. Why this theme, and what does it say about the current state of mind in the sector today?
VL: “Pulse in Motion” perfectly captures the moment our industry is going through. We are experiencing a period of profound transformation in which consumer expectations, environmental challenges, technological innovations, and new ways of living are prompting brands to reinvent themselves.
This theme celebrates this constant creative energy. It highlights design in motion-design capable of combining emotion, innovation, responsibility, and desire while integrating these considerations from the very earliest stages of design and production.
With Masquespacio, we wanted to give this dynamic a powerful visual expression by creating an immersive installation that invites everyone to experience this creative impulse.
MF: You describe Maison&Objet as a barometer of societal changes and new consumption trends. What are you currently observing among design and interior design professionals?
VL: Maison&Objet is a true barometer of changes in the sector, and what we’re seeing today, above all, is the ability of professionals to reinvent themselves. Despite a challenging economic climate, brands, retailers, and influencers continue to innovate and refresh their offerings.
Our latest survey, conducted among 1,323 international professionals, illustrates this momentum: 62% of respondents report stable or growing business over the past six months, and 80% anticipate stable or positive business in the coming months.
The major trends emerging are clear: a strong return to craftsmanship and artisanal skills, a growing focus on sustainability, and a search for more emotional and sensory experiences. Professionals are no longer simply creating aesthetic objects or spaces; they are designing experiences that tell a story, forge connections, and respond to new lifestyles.
It is this ability to adapt and this creative energy that make the sector so vibrant today, and Maison&Objet is committed to supporting this by providing professionals with the tools they need to understand market trends.
MF: The economic and geopolitical climate has been putting pressure on the home decor market for several years now. How can Maison&Objet serve as a guiding light amid this global uncertainty?
VL: In a rapidly changing market environment, professionals need visibility, networking opportunities, and inspiration more than ever. Maison&Objet is precisely the place where they can step back, identify major trends, discover new partners, and grow their businesses.
The trade show fosters international exchanges and creates opportunities for collaboration that transcend borders. It enables both brands and buyers to better understand market developments and anticipate future expectations. It is this ability to bring together an entire ecosystem that makes Maison&Objet a true benchmark for the industry.
MF: Maison&Objet brings together brands and visitors from many countries at each edition. How does the fair contribute to Paris’s international reputation as a design capital?
VL: This international dimension is precisely at the heart of the role that Maison&Objet plays in Paris. Its strength lies in fostering dialogue between the French and international design scenes by bringing together, at each edition, brands, designers, buyers, and influencers from around the world.
The fair thus helps make Paris an essential hub for meetings and exchanges among professionals in design and lifestyle. At the same time, Paris Design Week extends this momentum throughout the city and helps showcase creative work to both professionals and the general public.
This synergy between an international trade show, an open Parisian program, and a global community provides real added value for Maison&Objet and reinforces Paris’s appeal as a creative destination.
MF: You’re bringing an optimistic, sustainable, and international vision to this edition. Specifically, how do you convey this vision and energy as you prepare for Maison&Objet Pulse?
VL: This vision is reflected in every decision we make. We’re putting together a program that showcases emerging talent as much as established players, we foster connections between different creative fields, and we develop content that provides real value to professionals.
We’re also working to strengthen the connections between the trade show, the city, and our digital platform, MOM, so that this momentum continues throughout the year. Our role is to keep enriching this vibrant ecosystem—one that’s open to the world and capable of supporting the sector’s transformations.
MF: Looking ahead to the coming years, how do you see Maison&Objet evolving, and what role will Paris play in that journey?
VL: Maison&Objet is now an international ecosystem that supports professionals in design, interior design, and lifestyle throughout the year. In the coming years, our goal will be to continue strengthening this momentum by developing synergies between our in-person events, our city-wide events, and our digital platform, MOM.
Paris will remain central to this trajectory. The capital boasts a unique concentration of talent, brands, cultural institutions, and venues dedicated to creativity. Our role is to continue harnessing this energy, building bridges between French and international players, and supporting major developments in the sector.
Maison&Objet will thus continue to be a hub for networking, inspiration, and business opportunities for a global community of professionals.
