Seen in Paris 2024: 4 design trends with examples

French-English designer James Haywood is experimenting with alternatives to the polluting building material, concrete. His ‘concrete’, made from oyster shells and other eco-friendly ingredients, is just as strong as the original thing, with the same rugged and raw look.

Create your own cloud-like seating with endless possibilities thanks to the modular 'Cloud Infinity' sofa by designer Massimo Castagna for the Italian brand Gallotti & Radice. The sofa’s rounded design is available in leather or fabric, with or without black lacquered legs.

The luxury Italian furniture brand Giorgetti has introduced organic wall sculptures made from ultra-shiny, mirror-finished steel, created by blowing air under high pressure into steel plates. The result is otherworldly, with colour transitions from yellow to green, red to pink, and purple to black. Breathtaking.

The ‘Norman’ side table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas resembles a celestial body encased in brass. Its top is made from printed glass in a mystical, gradient sage hue.

As a set designer, Sanne Terweij experimented with techniques to give materials a weathered appearance. She became fascinated by what she calls ‘creative chemistry’ and now creates bespoke artworks from cut, bent, and oxidised brass and copper, producing beautiful shades. With a nod to the infinity of the sky and space, her works have names like ‘Dusk’ and ‘Luminous Skies.’

Like a UFO landing in your living room, the ‘Eileen’ coffee table by the Portuguese brand Mambo Unlimited Ideas combines a walnut base, an openwork brass centre, and a polished Estremoz marble top.

Like alien creatures, the four ceramic globes of the ‘Marimo’ hanging planter by Roberto Cambi for Giorgetti hover from the ceiling, filled with trailing plants to heighten the otherworldly effect. The design is a nod to the spherical form of the Japanese ‘Marimo’ algae ball.

Walls that beg to be touched; tactile finishes were a hallmark of the seventies. Take the 'Ferus' wallpaper by Arte, made from woven paper threads with a subtle geometric pattern, shown here in the colour Murano.

That’s the essence of the 'Choux' chair by Mambo. Its plush upholstery covers the seat, backrest, and even the legs, while its round lines keep it elegant.

A cosy cocoon for you to sink into, the 'Giuno' chair by Calvi Brambilla for Zanotta comes fully upholstered in soft, warm colours. It’s available with a fixed base or a swivel option, making it a perfect nod to the seventies.

Beautiful things, that’s what the ceramics by Portuguese artist Silva for Serax are all about. Known for working with vibrant colours, this time her focus is on expressive birds in ceramic. The pots and candelabras, with sculpted birds, are finished in smooth green or beige glazes.

The Portuguese brand Mambo draws heavily from design history to deliver contemporary, quirky furniture. The ‘Caldas’ table, with its softly ribbed yellow tile top and round, black-lacquered frame, fits perfectly into the scene.

The ‘Hakura’ figurines by Giorgetti transport you to unknown realms, deep beneath the sea. Made from fibreglass and lacquered in typical seventies colour combinations.

Classic seventies vibes are alive in modular sofas that look like a collection of cushions: cosy and casual. Sturdy and bold, that’s the modular lounge- sofa Sumo by Fatboy, seventies vibe included and modernised with cushions made from recycled foam and washable covers.

The brown glass apothecary bottle is making a comeback as a home decor item. Marie Michielsen has used these bottles as packaging for luxury scented candles ‘Mystic’ and ‘Zephyr’ for Belgian brand Serax.

With its contrasting colours like orange and blue, brown and light blue, the Italian brand Batilossi’s rugs evoke a true seventies vibe. Thanks to technical craftsmanship, the hand-knotted wool rugs appear to intertwine both literally and figuratively.

An homage to Venetian glassmakers and the honeybee, the mouth-blown ‘Nido d’Ape’ vase for Venini glows in a golden honeycomb pattern. Only the finest glassmakers on the island of Murano can achieve this intricate design. Venini has released a limited number of these vases, designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1940.

From sunken living rooms to seating islands, the seventies were all about lounging. The modular ‘Fenpei’ series by Paolo Castelli allows you to create the ultimate lounging experience in any space, with soft seating in a range of natural tones.

The wooden lounge chair ‘FLW’ by Samuel Wilkinson for British brand SCP looks like a floating Japanese tatami mat chair. This effect is created by the single, invisible wooden leg at the back. The chair is made in the UK from 100 percent natural and sustainable materials.

A true gem, the round ‘Poppy’ table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas is crafted from travertine, a natural stone with a tactile quality due to its small pits and bumps. Not flawed, but a celebration of imperfection.

The soft jacquard wool throw ‘Techno Bee’ from Moooi’s collection is inspired by a special little creature. The techno bee produces a hum with its wing beats, which can send you into a trance. The throw is reversible, with mirrored colours on each side.

The ‘Bagdad’ lamp by Danish brand Gubi resembles a bird’s head. Fittingly, the portable lamp can ‘fly’ to wherever you need light. Its glow seeps through the perforated metal, adding atmosphere to the room in natural tones.

Marble is a natural product, but it’s not necessarily sustainable, given that it’s non-renewable and energy-intensive to produce. Italian brand Casalgrande Padana offers an alternative that’s just as beautiful but eco-friendly: ceramic wall tiles with a natural marble look, born from innovative experiments.

German artisanal brand Guaxs hand-carves a faceted form out of plaster, which becomes the mould for mouth-blown glass in beautiful hues of smoky grey, deep green, and amber. Each piece is handcrafted and unique.