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

respectful design

New Montrose studio brings bespoke European design to Houston

Photo by Laurie Perez

Armazem.design is located in the historic Winlow Westheimer buildings.

Houston’s newest interior design showroom is a dazzling display of how historic preservation and swanky European design can slip into a harmonious dialogue that quietly dismisses the longstanding notion that contemporary furniture has no place within the oftentimes rigid constraints of a traditional home.

Tucked between The Upper Hand Salon and The Phoenix Pub in the historic Winlow Westheimer buildings, Armazem.design is a lifestyle design boutique carrying elevated European design and architectural solutions from century-old brands such as Arclinia, Lema, Barausse, Foscarini, Gaggeneau, and Sub-Zero Wolf.

The name Armazem pays homage to founder and principal Jon Fante’s Brazilian roots. Traditionally, armazems were community cornerstones — general stores where people not only shopped but also learned, connected, and built long-term relationships. Appropriate then, that Fante would choose to nestle himself between a salon and a pub, two businesses that are traditional archetypes for familiarity and community.

Armazem.design is set up like a bespoke home as opposed to a traditional contemporary design concept space. With everything from stately 1920s Victorians to cozy 1930s bungalows still in play in Montrose, setting up shop in a “Houston Browns” brick building from the 1930s — complete with original wide plank floors, exposed brick interior, and open rafter ceilings — allows clients to get a genuine feel for how the product lines work within the framework of these older homes.

Fante, who was born, raised, and educated as a civil engineer in Brazil, came to the States in 2006 to handle US operations for Florense. Fante retired from his position as CEO in 2017 to start Armazem.design in Chicago. The decision to expand to Houston is something that Fante says was a no-brainer, as Houston has been moving towards a more contemporary style overall.

“What we are trying to show here is that you don’t have to be in the extremes. You don’t have to be in the extremes of classic American design, which is beautiful, and what is also perceived here as European design, which is super contemporary, which is also beautiful,” Fante tells CultureMap. “There is a breadth of solutions in the inbetween.”

The buildout for Armazem.design takes clients on a journey through two kitchens, a living room, dining room, generously-appointed closet and dressing space, home office, and casual den space, all outfitted with wall units, complex storage solutions, and warm, comfortable furnishings. Formerly open spaces have been divided into distinct concepts using architectural partitions that can be designed for any space.

Every aspect of Armazem.design is custom made to order. The design may follow a more European school, but there are wooden elements and handmade objects that protect their environment from the contemporary curse of feeling cold, uninviting, or institutional. With lead times around three to four months, going bespoke here is as accessible as placing orders from mainstream retailers.

“While there is a focus on kitchens, there are a lot of different products that we bring,” says Fante. “We are a showroom that is focused on interior architectural applications for home. We have partners in doors, partitions, wall paneling, closets — there is a lot. We got this historical place in Montrose and we made it as a home. We want people to walk in and feel like they could live here. It’s very comprehensive.”

The owners of the building are currently working with the city to gain historical recognition, something that would mean a lot for the neighborhood, and to Fante.

“We were very lucky to find this space. We preserved every historical element in the showroom — you see these very rustic floors, these floors are almost 100 years old.” Fante discovered more of the historic “Houston Browns” brick during the renovation (the classic Houston brick has been out of production for decades), all hidden behind swathes of drywall. “We ripped that all out to expose the true character of the space,” Fante explains. “Of course we kept the brick.”

Fante shares that the decision to restore the building led to a phrase from an architect in their Chicago showroom that has remained their motto here in Montrose: “Let’s not bully the space, let’s respect it.” That’s a sentiment that the entire neighborhood can get behind.

Armazem.design is located at 1911 Westheimer Road and is open Monday through Friday from 9 am-5 pm.

Photo by Laurie Perez

Armazem.design is located in the historic Winlow Westheimer buildings.

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