the french connection

Houston design duo shares top trends and exclusive insights from Paris fair

Creative pairings within the design world date back as far as milk and ambrosia. In contemporary times, famous duos such as Rem Koolhaas and Miuccia Prada, William Soffield and Tom Ford, and Daniel Romualdez and Tory Burch come to mind. In Houston, international design luminary Nina Magon and BeDesign CEO Adrian Dueñas have forged a bond beyond their working relationship. Oftentimes, the two travel abroad to curate the best collections of what’s au courant in the highest interior design markets in the world. What’s more? They bring them home to Houston.

Dueñas and Magon recently returned from international design fair Maison et Objet in Paris, France. The duo share their favorite new trends, collections (including something for Star Wars fans), and ones-to-watch exclusively with CultureMap. They also discuss their exclusive, invite-only roles within the fair, and Magon offers an update on her recently-announced rebranding.

Courtesy of Adrian Dueñas

Umbrella heat lamp by Heat Sail.

CultureMap: What is the purpose of the show? Is it more of a trade fair, or can the general public attend?

Adrian Dueñas: Maison et Objet, the biannual Paris-based interior design fair, has been a global trendsetter for over 20 years. Held each January and September, it transforms Paris into a design hub where professionals and enthusiasts alike explore the latest in furniture and decorative objects. While drawing an international crowd of industry professionals, the fair remains open to all visitors, complemented by citywide design events and exhibitions.

CM: You’re both invited guests of the show; how does that work? What are your roles there?

Nina Magon: I am pleased to announce that I will continue my role as the United States ambassador at Maison et Objet for another year. This position allows me to represent the U.S. design community on an international stage and to highlight the exceptional talent present within our industry. This year's ambassadorship is particularly significant, as it provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between global design events and the vibrant American design market.

Collaborating with Adrian Dueñas from BeDesign, we aim to offer a nuanced perspective that integrates design creativity with market insights. Our approach to representation is strategic; I will provide the designer's creative viewpoint, while Adrian will contribute essential buyer insights. Together, we seek to create a comprehensive understanding of the design landscape — from inspiration to implementation. Our focus is on delivering valuable analysis that assists both exhibitors and design professionals in identifying emerging trends and opportunities. I look forward to continuing to advocate for our design community on this international platform, fostering connections and advancing the conversation around design innovation.

CM: What were your favorite things from the show and why did they stand out to you?

AD: Among the standout discoveries at Maison et Objet Paris 2025 was an innovative Belgian brand called Heat Sail that features a revolutionary outdoor umbrella design. This contemporary piece incorporates sophisticated temperature in control technology, offering a remarkable solution for outdoor comfort. We're excited to announce this collection will be coming soon to BeDesign.

Cielo's latest bathroom collection was equally impressive, presenting fresh concepts that redefine contemporary bathroom design.

Additionally, Elitis continues to excel with their French wallcoverings. Their latest collections showcase exceptional textures, designs, and versatility that can transform any space into something extraordinary.

NM: Ladenac Milano Candles: The display and fragrances take you on a visual and sensory journey. The brand's unique character transports you to the beauty and warmth of the Mediterranean.

Lladro Star Wars Collection: The Lladró Star Wars collection enchants enthusiasts with its exquisite craftsmanship and intricate detailing, beautifully merging fine porcelain artistry with iconic characters and scenes from the beloved franchise. Each meticulously hand-painted piece captures the essence of its character, evoking nostalgia and a deep connection to the Star Wars universe. This collection transcends mere collectibles, serving as cherished works of art that celebrate the enduring legacy of a cultural phenomenon, making it a must-have for collectors and admirers alike.

Imperfetto Lab: Imperfetto Lab captivates audiences with its innovative approach to design that embraces the beauty of imperfection. Each piece is a testament to artisanal craftsmanship, highlighting unique textures and finishes that reflect the individuality of both the materials and the creative process. This collection challenges conventional notions of perfection, inviting viewers to appreciate the raw, unrefined qualities that evoke a sense of authenticity and warmth. By merging art and functionality, Imperfetto Lab creates striking, one-of-a-kind items that resonate with those who value originality and the story behind each creation, making it a compelling addition to any design enthusiast's collection.”

CM: Were there any interesting dinners or events that you attended that are worth a mention?

NM: We had the privilege of attending an exquisite and intimate dinner hosted by Maison et Objet in Paris, dedicated to celebrating women in design. This exclusive gathering brought together distinguished designers from around the globe, emphasizing the theme of breaking the glass ceiling and promoting the vital contributions of women in the design industry. The event served as a remarkable platform for fostering connections and inspiring dialogue among influential figures in the field.

CM: Nina, your recent social media posts demonstrate that you’re in the process of a rebrand. What can people expect from these changes?

NM: This rebranding marks a significant milestone in our evolution, showcasing remarkable growth as we venture into diverse verticals of design. Our expansion spans global design, yacht and aviation design, property development, and our own innovative projects, all aimed at crafting a brand that embodies diversity, inclusion, talent, and dedication. This exciting transformation invites a wealth of opportunities and fresh perspectives, positioning us at the forefront of the design industry and celebrating the myriad of creative voices that contribute to our vision.

These are definitely exciting times in the Houston design world, especially the recognition our hometown designers continue to receive on the global stage. It will be exciting to watch these trends trickle into town over the next few months — keep an eye out!

home-design

Marburger Farm updated

Round Top's 43-acre antique show unveils renovations for spring 2026

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus believed that the only constant in life is change. Since 1997, the Marburger Farm Antique Show, which typically closes out both the spring and fall editions of the Round Top Antiques & Design Show, has largely remained unchanged. As enthusiastic Marburger tailgaters listen for that opening triangle to ring, everyone has their well-established and particular beeline-paths prepared in advance. But this year, change is a’comin’.

When the fall show closed last October, Marburger began a huge renovation project that included the full restoration of its historic buildings, including the original Marburger Farmhouse, Legler House, Coufal House, Zieger House, Silver Dollar Saloon, Gulf Warehouse, Dance Hall, Bingo Hall, Blacksmith Shop, and the General Store. Notably, the restoration has made it possible to add heating and air conditioning to these structures.

New additions debuting this spring include The Canteen, which is a large food pavilion overlooking the previously-underutilized pond; The Parlor, a design showcase space; a live music stage; enhanced pathways; and a communal green space designed for gathering and celebration. Over the summer, the addition of two large climate-controlled sheds and updated seating and lounge areas throughout the grounds will complete the project.

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“This is a much more intentional undertaking to really breathe life into those buildings,” Marburger CEO John Sughrue tells CultureMap. “It’s going to be very obvious — when on the property — what we’ve done. The vision for what we’re doing was establishing a greater sense of place, and a greater sense of community.”

While fans may worry that these improvements may impact the charming and rustic aesthetic that shoppers have come to expect at Marburger, the overall experience should remain the same. Once randomly strewn across the 43-acre property, the historic structures have been gathered together around a newly-hardscaped central square. New green spaces are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia, the layout inspired by the Texas Courthouse Square. At one end, the western-facing pavilion will overlook the pond and rolling hills, and adjacent to that, the familiar 90,000-square-feet of tented shopping remain unchanged.

“One thing that is apparent about Marburger is that people have a real sense of connection with it, a sense of history, and take a personal interest in it,” says Sughrue. “You’ll see that in the level of craftsmanship, the placemaking, and how we have, in essence, redeveloped the existing historical buildings.”

One of the things Sughrue is enthusiastic about is the ability to participate in the winter show, as well as inviting exhibitors who left for climate-controlled venues to return home to Marburger. Improved facilities for their local and beloved food and beverage vendors make for expanded offerings and shorter lines — a notion sure to please even the most staunch Marburger purists.

“We are trying very much to maintain the Texas heritage of Marburger,” Sughrue says. “I consider us guardians or stewards of the brand. I consider Marburger a brand like Blue Bell Ice Cream or the State Fair of Texas. There is something very much rooted in the land, very much rooted in how generations now have engaged with Marburger and in Round Top. We are trying to hold tight to being a heritage brand, while positioning for the future — that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Sughrue is all too aware of some of the sentiments that were shared five years ago when Marburger was purchased by “these Dallas guys” [real estate development firm Brook Partners]. In the last four years, they have listened to vendors and guests alike to learn how they can improve the show experience for their core audience: top exhibitors, designers, architects, and vendors. While he finds the relatively-recent glitterati element in Round Top to be amusing, it’s not something he’s interested in attracting or catering to specifically. So, everyone can let out a sigh of relief on that concern.

“These are designers who come into Round Top, and to Marburger in particular, and they are very important to our success. We attract some of the best exhibitors in the country, if not the world,” explains Sughrue. “Day one they meet with designers who have flown in from all over the country. Our focus is being a resource to those designers and architects — that’s what’s driving our business. We are not a lifestyle offering, and we are not trying to be all things to all people.”

At the end of the day, Sughrue’s overall goal is connecting the best exhibitors to the best buyers. “Everything else that happens in Round Top is just noise.” He loves the generational aspect of Marburger, oftentimes noticing three generations shopping together in the tents.

“Y’all make a tough crowd, I’ll tell you that,” Sughrue says with a laugh. “I think we are going to get more of it right than wrong, and what we get wrong — we are going to listen very hard to people — we are going to make that right. I promise you that. Marburger captivates me. It just devours all of my time and attention, but how lucky am I?! All these issues surround purpose-driven lives, and we get to work on Marburger to bring a community of people together to celebrate design, antiques, Texas. It’s like the American Dream is alive and well on the Round Top fields during Marburger. It’s just an incredible collection of people.”

Visit the refreshed Marburger Farms from Tuesday, March 24 to Saturday, March 28. Purchase tickets at marburgerfarm.com.

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

marburger farm round top shopping