For those who work in architecture and interior design, inspiration cannot be something that happens by chance.
She needs to be picked up.
That’s why, whenever we have the chance, we make a point of staying close to the major events in the world of design. And Maison&Objet, in Paris, is one of the places that best provides us with that experience.
We’ve been to the fair before—in January 2024 and, more recently, in September 2025. Two visits at different times, with different agendas, but with one thing in common: the certainty that stepping outside our usual environment and immersing ourselves in what’s happening in the world of design transforms the way we view our own projects.
More than just a trade show—a space for research
More than just a trade show, Maison&Objet brings together brands, designers, artisans, and professionals from around the world. But for us, it’s much more than just a major home decor trade show. It is a research space.
Walking through its pavilions means being surrounded by a vast array of materials, textures, furniture, lighting, objects, and new ideas. But our goal isn’t simply to discover what will be trending. It’s to understand why certain things are emerging:
- What is changing in the way people live?
- Which materials are gaining importance?
- How is design responding to new needs for comfort and functionality?
- What’s happening to the concept of luxury?
- And how can all of this be applied to the reality of our clients in Portugal?
Between the Classic and the Contemporary
Somewhere between the classic and the contemporary, one of the things we love most about Paris is precisely this ability to blend different eras:
- The old coexists with the new.
- Craftsmanship meets technology.
- The classic gets a contemporary twist.
And this combination is also very much in evidence at Maison&Objet. During our visits, we came across pieces and concepts that show how design can honor tradition while still looking toward the future. And that really resonates with the way we work.
At CW Architecture and Interiors, we enjoy creating contemporary spaces, but we believe that “contemporary” doesn’t necessarily mean cold, impersonal, or fleeting. A design can be modern and, at the same time, evoke a sense of history. It can be sophisticated without being excessive. It can follow an international design language and still reflect the personality of those who live in that space.
What we bring to our projects
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of visiting a trade show like Maison&Objet is what happens afterward. When we return to Portugal, those references begin to surface in other ways:
- A combination of materials can inspire a design choice.
- A new texture can change the feel of a space.
- A single piece of furniture can make us rethink the layout of a room.
- A lighting solution can completely transform the atmosphere of a space.
We don’t always take what we see at face value. Often, we take away just an idea. And it is precisely that idea that, after being filtered through our perspective, the context of the project, and the client’s personality, transforms into something new.
Two visits, new perspectives
Returning to Maison&Objet after our first experience also taught us something important: our perspective changes.
In January 2024, certain things caught our attention more than others. By September 2025, we had already arrived with a different repertoire, different points of reference, and different questions.
We begin to notice certain details that we might not have noticed before. And that’s part of the evolution of any creative professional. The better we know ourselves, the more we’re able to see. That’s why we believe so strongly in research and staying up to date.
Paris continues to be a source of inspiration
And, of course, there’s Paris.
Because the experience doesn’t end when we leave Maison&Objet. The entire city is a source of inspiration. Architecture, art, hotels, restaurants, stores, galleries, storefronts, museums, and even the small details found on the streets are all part of this process of observation.
Paris has a unique ability to bring the past and the future together. And perhaps it is precisely this blend that makes the city so inspiring for those who work in interior design.
Looking to the world to create unique spaces
Our visits to Maison&Objet are part of a never-ending quest:
- Search for references.
- Learn about new materials.
- Discover new designers.
- Keep up with changes.
- Question trends.
And, above all, to bring all of this closer to our customers.
Because we believe that a good design shouldn’t simply replicate what’s being showcased at major international trade shows.
He must take in references, reinterpret them, and transform them into something unique.
Something that combines beauty, functionality, and character. Something that makes sense to the people who will be living in that space.
And that’s what we continue to do at CW Architecture and Interiors: looking to the world to create spaces that reflect each client’s identity.