Travel is one of the best sources of inspiration for interior design. But journeys are filled with their own challenges — planes get delayed and running through airports while eating convenience foods takes a toll. However, the final result brings you to a new world you’ve never seen before. I’ve traveled with my team of Austin interior designers to Granada and Barcelona to explore Spanish design influences and High Point Market to check out the latest in home furnishings and decor. We have been to NYC for shopping and Philadelphia for photoshoots and vintage markets. This coming spring, we are off to Mexico City for architecture tours, pyramids, and museums. It is so important for us all to get our eyes on new and exciting places….different cultures, and ways of doing things. I love to plan. So on the horizon lies a trip to Paris for Deco Off! 

 

What is Paris Deco Off? 

I’m setting the goal to make it to Paris Deco Off for the January 2025 event. It feels far off now, but will be here before you know it. I can hardly wait! Deco Off is the Fashion Week of the interior design world. For the past decade or so, designers have flocked to the streets of Paris for a week in late January to see the reveal of what’s new and chic in textiles, trimmings, and wallcoverings. The event is free and open to the public, attracting more than 40,000 visitors across 100 plus showrooms and brand experiences. Textile and design houses set up shop along the Seine in the Mail and Madeleine neighborhoods, marking their territories with bright fabric lanterns dangling like lures above the sidewalks. While the Paris winter is chilly, the environment is said to be warm, welcoming, and pure bliss for interior lovers.

I’ve never attended before and have no first-hand insight into what to expect. However, my imagination has been running wild as I dive into Paris Deco Off guides that share the magic of past pattern reveals, brand premiers, and parties that go into the early morning hours. Needless to say, I am dying to go. I’m perusing Parisian flats to rent and planning to take along some friends and colleagues who want to get into just as many parties as I do. Some of the best ideas come from good parties. 

This Past Year’s Deco Off Reveals

Reading through the 2023 Deco Off product premiers, it’s clear that the event showcases the power of design and how it spans inspiration from different cultures, materials, and decades. For example, the French design house Pierre Frey launched a collection in collaboration with Versailles to celebrate their 200th anniversary. L’objet created a line of vases and objects highlighting their partnership with artisans in Portugal. Maison Pierre Frey built a brand experience that took you from the streets of Paris to the jungles of Polynesia. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me. 

Why Americans are Drawn to France

Soon, I will be “An American in Paris,” which had me thinking about that special je ne sais quoi that draws us into the romance of France. Haven’t you noticed that Americans are obsessed with the French? French academic André Siegfried said, “France occupies a place apart in the United States. No other country is more passionately loved…or harshly condemned. It seems that there is always an excess in either direction, that either illusion or deep disappointment is alternately dominant.” Love it or hate it, Americans can’t get France out of their heads.

The Parisian dream comes to life in this magical world of romance and cafe culture, which holds a special place in our hearts. Many of us Americans plan our most formative trips to Paris for everything from honeymoons to study abroad backpacking. I’ve always been a fan of Paris and the French, and the relationship between our countries goes way back. One of the original Americans in Paris was Thomas Jefferson, who wrote about his trips to France, captivating everyone stateside. In many ways, he’s the Founding Father of our French fascination.  

America and France have a lot in common, actually. With two revolutions under our belts, it’s safe to say that Americans and the French aren’t afraid to disrupt the status quo. Like New York City, Paris is a cultural hub of art, fashion, and innovation. (Which is why events like Deco Off take off — no pun intended.) And, of course, Paris has been romanticized in Hollywood films for decades. It’s portrayed as a dreamy spot where you can spend your days in sidewalk cafes, bump into the love of your life, and be whisked away. I’m not forgetting to mention the patisserie — the eclairs, macarons, and Madelines are reasons enough for the transatlantic flight! 

Making Plans for Deco Off 2025 

I can’t think of a better place than Paris to see what’s new in the interior design world. The French have style, and the city is the capital of all things chic and fashionable. Of course, some of the best parts will be strolling past Art Nouveau architecture, sitting on the sidewalk for coffee, and stuffing our faces with pastries. 

To Deco Off, we go!