In January 2026, Maison & Objet brought together designers, interior designers, and entrepreneurs around the theme “From ancestral craftsmanship to contemporary design: French excellence.” The discussion focused on a key question: how can French expertise and contemporary creativity be brought together in harmony?
Alongside Tristan Rodriguez, Oscar Lucien Ono, and Guillaume de Saint-Lager, Gabrielle Joinau Tavernier, co-founder and director of Maison A&G, shared her very concrete vision of design, which is built on materials, craftsmanship, and collective work with artisans.
Maison A&G, a vision embodied in design
Maison A&G was founded with a clear ambition: to design spaces that are as beautiful as they are functional, built to last and to be lived in to the fullest. A philosophy where elegance is not declared: it is proven. It manifests itself through the relevance of choices, rigor in execution, precision in details, and the overall consistency of each project.
“We quickly moved upmarket by surrounding ourselves with the specific expertise of artisans who taught us a great deal.”
From the outset, Maison A&G has placed mastery at the heart of every project: mastery of use, volumes, materials, and detail. Each creation is born from an ongoing dialogue between the team, artisans, clients, and workshops. Every idea is tested against technique, craftsmanship, and feasibility.
At Maison A&G, artisans are not mere executors, but true co-creators. This constant dialogue enriches everyone’s expertise. It creates a rare and subtle balance: a contemporary yet embodied design, a controlled yet lively aesthetic, where technique and emotion meet in every detail.
“Our business is above all an exchange between artisans, customers, and workers.”
Innovation and learning: movement at the service of the contemporary
For Gabrielle, every project is a source of endless learning. The history of craftsmanship, materials, and techniques opens up new areas for experimentation. This can result in murals, complex glass roofs, or new ways of working with a material.
“I think it’s a never-ending learning process… Each project allows you to study new techniques and explore new options.”
This approach creates a subtle balance between tradition and modernity. Every gesture, every idea, and every artisanal intervention enriches the artistic direction. They bring to life unique, refined, and fully embodied projects.
Project Panthéon
The EPV network: excellence and transmission
Maison A&G is an ambassador for the EPV (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) label. This role fully reflects the Maison’s DNA: surrounding itself with companies that possess rare and precious expertise and know how to pass it on with excellence.
“We have been able to learn thanks to companies that pool their expertise and pass it on.”
Maison A&G projects apply this principle on a daily basis and in a concrete way: frescoes, stained glass windows, custom-made furniture, but also with EPVs present in Le Domaine by A&G. This place thus becomes a space where French excellence can be seen, experienced, and fully appreciated.
Project Vendrest
Le Domaine by A&G
Discover the full Maison & Objet 2026 talk
To explore the world of Maison A&G and discover Gabrielle Joinau Tavernier’s complete vision, watch the entire talk here:
From ancestral craftsmanship to contemporary design: French excellence – Maison&Objet Paris – The Talks
