Pulse in Motion: a theme, a collective energy

In conversation with Vincent Grégoire, Director of Consumer Trends & Insights at Nelly Rodi, a picture emerges of a shifting era, one that calls for living creativity and a resolutely optimistic vision of design.

Why “Pulse in Motion” for the September edition of Maison&Objet?
V.G. : We are living through a turbulent period, shaped by a broader context in which new challenges are constantly surfacing. Against this backdrop, the need for a positive outlook becomes increasingly apparent. We seek it in stimulation, in movement, in bold statements and intentions that are surprising, clear, and powerful. Pulse is a spark, a desire to step into new realities.
Reconnecting through human experience and the senses has become essential in today’s creative landscape. There is a need for something more, an added soul.
Maison&Objet provides a space to explore these new directions: a design cartography that pulses with engaged, forward-thinking proposals. Here, energy becomes a liberating force.

What does this trend reveal about design and creativity today?
V.G.: Pulse in Motion signals the emergence of new imaginaries, expressed through graphic, colorful, and dynamic design languages. The collective dimension is equally important, fueling this renewed energy. It is driven both by a vibrant new generation and by an established one that continues to reinvent and re-enchant itself.
There is a growing desire for more passionate, more committed forms of expression, for creators to draw us into their imaginative worlds. The aim is no longer to divide or oppose, but to engage, to inspire, to initiate.

In 2026, this becomes a unifying theme, articulated through four major directions:

• Union: Growing through chosen communities, rebuilding shared experiences and collective bonds in response to an increasingly fragmented world. 
• Leadership: Taking, or reclaiming, control by asserting the role of design and creators as cultural reference points, opening up new pathways. 
• Elevation: Striving for better living and well-being, moving beyond functionality to restore meaning, emotion, and perspective to everyday spaces. 
• Intensity: Embracing full-spectrum experiences to amplify pleasure, making them more sensory, more embodied, and ultimately more memorable. 

Across these four pillars, nuance returns to the forefront, along with a renewed openness to alternative paths.

In concrete terms, what defines the Maison&Objet experience in September?
V.G.: The September edition amplifies and energizes. It is both a think tank and a cabinet of curiosities, a space to discover new markets, fresh aesthetics, and unexpected propositions.
More than a single trend to isolate, what emerges is a profusion of creative energy—one that defines the underlying momentum of the moment.

One word for a better world?
V.G.: Fantasy, without hesitation.