Design Miami.Paris 2025 has returned to the elegant L'Hôtel de Maisons for its third edition in the French capital, showcasing an impressive collection of contemporary and vintage design pieces. More than 25 galleries participated in the prestigious fair, which takes place in the luxurious hotel room spaces and expansive outdoor areas of the 17th-century mansion that once served as the home of late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld.

The venue itself is a masterpiece designed by legendary architect François Mansart, featuring the refined sophistication of early French classicism with soaring ceilings, traditional parquet de Versailles flooring, and intricate decorative wood paneling. This ornate setting creates an ideal backdrop for a design fair, where some exhibited pieces echo the rooms' elaborate ornamentation while others provide deliberate contrast to the historic surroundings.

During the VIP preview on Tuesday, October 21st, collectors and art enthusiasts flocked to the venue to explore a diverse range of pieces spanning from early-to-mid 20th century decorative arts to cutting-edge contemporary forms. The strong enthusiasm displayed by collectors during the opening hours reflects the renewed energy currently surging through the design market, which has experienced significant growth in collector interest over recent years. Dealers reported robust international collector attendance and solid initial sales figures during the fair's opening hours.

Among the standout pieces, James de Wulf's "Resonating Ping Pong Table, Song no. 1" (2025), priced at $115,000, transforms recreational activity into performance art. The American artist invited VIP guests to play on his innovative metallic table, which functions as both a gaming surface and a sophisticated sound installation. The table features six aluminum plates tuned to an A minor pentatonic scale, creating soothing musical tones when ping pong balls make contact with the surface. De Wulf explained that the concept emerged after visitors to a previous art fair mentioned hearing the distinctive sounds of people playing on his earlier, more conventional ping pong table. This revelation inspired him to explore sound engineering, tuning, and material properties, ultimately discovering aluminum's exceptional resonant qualities. The sleek, industrial-designed table comes complete with specialized racquets and both rubber and foam balls for varying sound levels.

Adam Pendleton's "White Onyx Table, FF25-002-OX-01" (2025), presented by Friedman Benda for $60,000, represents an exciting expansion into design for one of today's most acclaimed contemporary artists. Known primarily for conceptually driven, politically engaged works spanning painting, drawing, film, installation, and performance, Pendleton collaborated with design powerhouse Friedman Benda to create this striking cylindrical marble table. Despite its substantial volume, the piece appears to float gracefully above the floor in the gallery's lounge room display, its pure cream-colored form resting on surprisingly small geometric feet. Astrid Malingreau, director at Friedman Benda Paris, described the piece as embodying "a way of seeing the world through geometry," emphasizing the beautiful balance achieved by supporting such a massive piece on minimal contact points. The table earned the fair's Best Contemporary Work award and offers a preview of Pendleton's upcoming November exhibition at the New York gallery, titled "Who Owns Geometry Anyway?"

François-Xavier Lalanne's "Lampe Pigeon" (1991), offered by Mitterrand for €85,000 ($98,543), exemplifies the whimsical craftsmanship that has made the Lalanne design duo beloved among collectors worldwide. Paris gallery Mitterrand's impressive first-floor display showcases the French designers' trademark works, including bronze alligator-backed chairs, lilypad-shaped tables, and their famous sheep sculptures. The pigeon lamp features the bird's belly as an opaline glass globe that serves as the luminous light source, perfectly capturing the blend of humor and sophistication that defines the Lalannes' aesthetic approach. This charming piece demonstrates how art can illuminate daily life both literally and figuratively, radiating warmth and playfulness while maintaining impeccable taste.

Frida Fjellman's "Viper with Treasure" (2025), presented by Hostler Burrows for $12,000, forms part of a stunning solo presentation in the mansion's naturally lit upstairs salon. The Swedish artist created these blown glass and monumental ceramic works specifically for the venue's refined interiors, drawing inspiration from the Palace of Versailles, Sofia Coppola's film "Marie Antoinette," and early 18th-century Rococo aesthetics. The display centers around a striking geometric chandelier with jewel-like glass forms suspended from gold-toned chains, flanked by two alert boar sculptures positioned on light blue pedestals. The featured viper sculpture portrays a coiled ceramic snake protectively guarding a large dark green glass orb, with earth-toned colors that feel simultaneously natural and otherworldly. The exceptional craftsmanship is evident in the fluid curve of the snake and the way light moves across its surface, creating an elegant and vital presence.

Axel Einar Hjorth's "Lounge chair from the typenko series, model 36100" (1931), offered by MORENTZ for €47,500 ($55,068), represents a significant piece of Scandinavian design history. Dutch gallery MORENTZ arranged their selection of 20th-century European and American furniture pieces in a velvet-adorned corner room, creating the atmosphere of a carefully curated living space. Hjorth, who served as chief designer for Nordiska Kompaniet (Stockholm's leading department store) during the early 20th century, played a crucial role in establishing Sweden's international reputation for utilitarian design approaches. This particular chair exemplifies Hjorth's transition from classical influences toward early modernism, combining superior craftsmanship with industrial materials that would become hallmarks of Scandinavian modern design. The piece successfully bridges Swedish Grace—a decorative yet restrained Art Deco offshoot—with emerging functionalist principles that emphasized utility and simplicity, while providing exceptional comfort through its angled backrest and deep seat design.