PARIS 2025 / The Recap
– enjoy the read!
Catie Keel
LILY DE ASA
DENVER
Catie – this is the 2nd year in a row you have joined us in Paris. What is your main motivation for making the trip?
Who can resist Paris?! My motivations are twofold. First off, seeing all the new collections before anyone else. It makes a huge difference providing the latest and greatest to my clients. Building the story of the product into my designs makes my job effortless. Secondly, the relationship-building between showrooms and vendors. The uber rides across banks with the team and Gina are invaluable.
Key highlight/s from this year that stood out?
The Pierre Frey lunch at La Petite Chaise followed by their multi-sensory experience townhouse tour with the Kneedler team and Fiona West! The Desert collection was featured throughout three stories of an old Parisian townhome. Each room portrayed a different desert from around the globe - what an immersive experience to really see the full capacity of their lines from rugs to drapery to upholstery and wallcovering!
Favorite KF supplier product/s you discovered?
Hands down Sean Leffers at L’Hotel! Touching, feeling and hearing about his new collection by the one and only Sean Leffers himself was awe-inspiring. The block prints, the reversibility, the techniques – I was blown away and can’t wait to incorporate into projects.
Most memorable meal of the trip?
I’m still dreaming of the sea bass in beurre blanc from La Petite Chaise! I’ve tried a couple renditions at home since and it’s just not the same - maybe because I’m not surrounded by Pierre Frey’s fabric and wallcovering in the middle of Paris!
Safe to say we are all guilty of some personal shopping in Paris – what was your most coveted purchase?
Outside of the copious amounts of ‘beurre’ purchased and brought back, I did come across the yummiest charcoal gray, brushed mohair full length skirt. What better way to stay warm in Aspen than that! It definitely came home with me!
Barbara Lowenthal
HARRISON DESIGN
LOS ANGELES
Barbara – you started joining us in Paris just after Gina DeWitt and Rocky LaFleur made KF’s very first trip for Déco Off back in 2008. What was your main motivation for making the trip back then and what is your motivation now?
When Rocky called me to tell me Deco Off was getting organized, I was excited about it but could not attend due to project schedules. In 2009 I made sure that my calendar was free so I could attend. Back then we had just opened our LA office in 2007, and I did not know many LA based designers or architects. Paris changed all of that. Over the years I have made so many great friends, from LA and beyond, and it is so exciting to reconnect every year in Paris. Deco Off never fails to inspire and it is always exciting to learn about the new ideas, fabrics, and design trends that Paris and Europe are introducing to the market. And who doesn't love getting together with friends in a beautiful City with great design everywhere! Pure magic.
Key highlight/s from this year that stood out?
The excitement of new ideas and themes in fabrics and furniture permeated all presentations. It was inspiring to see a love for tradition with a desire for sustainability, more color, textures other than boucle, and enticing to have a more global view of design possibilities.
Favorite KF supplier product/s you discovered?
I never miss a Patrick Frey presentation or event. This year the display in the beautiful apartment was filled with "I can't wait to use this" materials. I loved the use of the metal frames to show the fabrics as most of the walls of the apartment could not be touched. The traditional details of the apartment envelope were a great juxtaposition to the fabrics. Displaying the fabrics and other items in cabinets - much like a cabinet of curiosities - was intriguing. His Fantasy collection was delightful. He asked us to dream and be inspired. A mantra that applies to Deco Off perfectly. Dedar’s “Metametodo” fabric was a fave - loved it! The Nobilis remodeled showroom was stunning. So chic! Their “Andromeda” and “Dune” fabrics were standouts.
Most memorable meal of the trip?
Along with my Harrison Design Colleagues we had a wonderful dinner at Restaurant Allard. And I can't leave out the La Petite Chaise lunch with Tina, Mark, Fiona West and others - divine chocolate mousse!
Safe to say we are all guilty of some personal shopping in Paris – what was your most coveted purchase?
This year I showed incredible constraint. I did buy butter - so many wonderful butters! My youngest Grandson was thrilled to receive them when we got home. However, last year restraint be gone! I bought a wonderful necklace from Galerie Cipango made by Sylvie Tissot-Schneider. A huge thank you to Gina for telling me about her.
Kristi Will
KRISTI WILL INTERIOR DESIGN
SAN FRANCISCO
Kristi – tell us what your main motivation for attending Paris Déco Off is?
Our main motivation for attending Paris Déco Off is to connect with the incredible artists and artisans behind the products we specify for our clients’ homes. Building these relationships deepens our understanding of their craft and allows us to bring truly special pieces into our projects. It’s also an opportunity to engage with fellow designers from around the world, exchanging ideas and inspiration in a setting that celebrates design at the highest level. And of course, the chance to spend quality time with our vendors over long dinners and events fosters the kind of collaboration that makes our work even more meaningful.
Key highlight/s from this year that stood out?
One of the key highlights from this year’s Paris Déco Off was our unforgettable experience at Hôtel de Guise, a stunning showcase of design inspired by the elegance of the 1950s and the free spirit of the 1970s. We began our tour with a wonderful lunch at La Petite Chaise with our hosts from KF and Fiona West, where the interiors were fully dressed in Pierre Frey’s signature textiles. The collection perfectly captured the essence of these two iconic decades, blending refined sophistication with a bold, artistic edge.
Following lunch, we explored the beautifully curated spaces of Hôtel de Guise, where every room came to life through exquisite fabrics, wallpapers, furniture, and carpets. What made the experience truly special were the stories behind each collection—the inspirations, craftsmanship, and vision that shaped the vivid patterns and rich colors. The carefully placed furniture and layered designs created a dynamic yet harmonious atmosphere, making it a true masterclass in storytelling through interiors.
Favorite KF supplier product/s you discovered?
One of our favorite KF supplier discoveries at this year’s Paris Déco Off was Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert. Visiting his studio, located in a historic brick building, was an immersive experience—jazz music playing, the heat of the kiln, and the rhythmic flow of his process created a true step into the world of the artisan. Watching him craft one of his iconic pendants from start to finish was awe-inspiring. His mastery of freehand glassblowing transforms raw material into sculptural forms that play beautifully with light, bringing depth, movement, and luminosity to any space.
Most memorable meal of the trip?
The most memorable meal of the trip was our dinner with friends and colleagues at Le Petit Lutecia. The warm, intimate atmosphere, paired with incredible food and lively conversation, made for an unforgettable evening. Sharing this experience with such a wonderful group in a classic Parisian setting was the perfect way to reflect on the inspiration of the week.
Safe to say we are all guilty of some personal shopping in Paris – what was your most coveted purchase?
The flea market is always my favorite shopping destination in Paris, and this year’s treasure was a vintage Baccarat crystal decanter for J & F Martell Cognac from the late 1800s. Discovering the history behind its etchings and marks made the find even more special. A testament to exquisite craftsmanship, this piece embodies the rich heritage of French glassmaking and cognac production. Now, it proudly sits on our bar—a beautiful reminder of the trip and a cherished collector’s item.
