Copper as Art — Why Cobre Stole the Show at Expo Muebles Winter 2025 in Guadalajara
Introduction to the Series
Every October, Guadalajara buzzes with design energy as Expo Muebles takes over the city. For designers, homeowners, and furniture makers, it’s the place to see what’s next — not just in trends, but in ideas, materials, and inspiration.
This year I decided to do something different: instead of writing a traditional “trend forecast,” I’m sharing my nine personal favorites from the show. Think of this as my highlight reel — the pieces, materials, and moments that stopped me in my tracks and made me say, yes, this is why I love design in Mexico.
Each week I’ll reveal a new favorite, from whimsical creatures to modern jute, olive leather, and a few surprises in between. By the end, you’ll have the full collection, plus a main post tying it all together.
Let’s start with the material that completely stole the show for me this year: copper.
Copper as Art — Why Cobre Stole the Show
Copper isn’t new in Mexican design. In fact, it’s one of the country’s most iconic craft materials. But what happened at Expo Muebles 2025 wasn’t the copper of kitchen pots or rustic sinks. This was copper elevated into a new category: art you can live with.
The booths that used copper this year leaned into scale and shadow. One lighting maker showed perforated copper domes that looked like lace in metal — delicate during the day, but at night casting a shadow play across the walls that turned the entire room into an art installation. Another brand paired hammered copper bases with slabs of volcanic stone for cocktail tables that looked both ancient and futuristic.
What struck me most was how the designers didn’t try to fight the patina. They celebrated it. Each piece was designed to change over time — deepening from bright penny tones into darker, moodier shades that will tell the story of its life in your home.
👉 How I’d use it: A copper coffee table in a sun-drenched living room is a no-brainer. It becomes a living artwork that changes with the seasons. For a bolder move, I’d love to see copper wall panels in a restaurant or hotel lobby — something immersive and tactile.
Copper’s moment at Expo Muebles wasn’t about following a fad. It was about reminding us that the most timeless materials still have surprises left in them.
Coming Next
Up next in the series: Onyx Everything — Mexico’s most dramatic stone took center stage this year, and the scale of its use might surprise you.
9 Favorites from Expo Muebles 2025 — Series Guide
Copper as Art — Why Cobre Stole the Show (you’re here)
Onyx Everything — Mexico’s Most Dramatic Stone (coming soon)
✨ Follow the Series
This post is just the first of my 9 Favorites from Expo Muebles 2025. Each week, I’ll be unpacking one of the design moments that caught my eye — from luminous onyx and olive-toned leather to playful creatures and 80s-inspired boldness.
If copper stole the show this time, wait until you see what’s next: Onyx Everything — Mexico’s Most Dramatic Stone.
Follow along here (and on my social channels) as we roll out the full series. By the end, you’ll have the complete set of my top 9 finds — a snapshot of where Mexican design is heading and how you can bring those ideas into your own projects.
