Design Agenda: February 2026 Highlights Across the Art & Design World
February 2026 unfolded as a powerful moment of convergence for the global design scene. Across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, some of the most influential fairs and exhibitions set the tone for what lies ahead, through intention. From collectible design to refined object-making, the month revealed a shared language emerging across borders: depth over excess, material honesty, and design that holds presence.
Here, we reflect on the key highlights from the most relevant events shaping the international design conversation this year.
BRAFA Art Fair - Brussels
Timeless Dialogue Between Art, Design, and Craft
BRAFA once again affirmed its role as a bridge between eras. The 2026 edition reinforced the value of cross-disciplinary collecting, where historical pieces coexist with contemporary design and fine art. Furniture and objects presented here were not defined by period, but by gravitas, patinated surfaces, sculptural silhouettes, and objects that felt rooted in time.
For MAEVE, BRAFA’s strength lies in its reminder that rarity is not created through novelty, but through continuity. Pieces that endure are those that carry memory, weight, and narrative.
NY NOW - New York
Refined Commercial Design with a Curatorial Shift
NY NOW continues its evolution toward a more curated, design-forward identity. This year’s highlights focused on functional objects elevated through form and material. Stone, glass, and metal were presented with restraint, often in muted palettes and sculptural expressions.
There was a noticeable move away from trend-driven aesthetics toward products designed to live longer, aligning with a growing demand for pieces that feel both usable and considered. A direction that mirrors MAEVE’s belief in design that belongs, rather than decorates.
Shoppe Object - New York
Collectible Sensibility in Everyday Objects
Shoppe Object stood out for its strong emphasis on small-scale, high-character objects. The fair highlighted how tabletop pieces, vessels, and decorative accents can carry as much presence as larger furniture.
This year, the focus was on tactility and emotional connection: imperfect finishes, handmade gestures, and objects that invite interaction. A reminder that intimacy in design often begins with the smallest details.
Art Basel Qatar - Doha
Cultural Depth and Monumental Calm
Art Basel’s expansion into Qatar marked a defining moment for the region. The inaugural edition balanced contemporary art with collectible design, placing strong emphasis on material expression and cultural narrative.
Large-scale sculptural works and objects with architectural presence dominated the conversation. The fair underscored a global appetite for design that communicates identity, heritage, and restraint, a language of quiet power rather than visual excess.
Ambiente - Frankfurt
Function Refined by Material Intelligence
Ambiente 2026 reaffirmed its relevance by shifting focus from mass utility to material-led functionality. Across tableware, home accessories, and lifestyle objects, the fair highlighted how craftsmanship and thoughtful design elevate everyday rituals.
Natural stones, muted metals, and softened finishes were omnipresent, signaling a move toward durability, tactility, and timeless appeal. It’s a direction that aligns seamlessly with MAEVE’s approach to functional objects with sculptural intent.
NOMAD St. Moritz - St. Moritz
Collectible Design in Its Purest Form
NOMAD remains one of the most aligned events with MAEVE’s universe. The 2026 edition once again showcased collectible furniture and objects presented as art within immersive, carefully curated environments.
Design here was slow, deliberate, and deeply material. Each piece felt singular, purposeful, and emotionally grounded. NOMAD continues to prove that the future of luxury design lies in rarity, provenance, and restraint.
MAZE Art Gstaad - Gstaad
Intimate Scale, High-Level Collecting
MAZE Art Gstaad offered a more intimate but equally refined perspective. The fair focused on contemporary art and collectible design pieces that emphasize presence over volume.
The atmosphere encouraged contemplation, allowing objects to speak quietly yet confidently. It reinforced the value of curation, not as accumulation, but as selection.
A Shared Direction
Across continents and disciplines, February 2026 revealed a shared design sensibility. One that values stillness over noise, material over surface, and intention over immediacy. Whether through collectible design, functional objects, or sculptural statements, the message was consistent: the future of design is thoughtful, grounded, and enduring.
For us, this global conversation feels deeply familiar. It echoes our belief that objects should not simply exist in a space, they should belong to it.
And as the year unfolds, these moments of alignment remind us that true design transcends geography. It lives in material, in form, and in the quiet confidence of pieces made to last.
