The 2026 Window Treats Contest: Deb Barrett on the Art of Design Travel in Paris

For over 20 years, Deb Barrett has been guiding designers through the heart of Paris during its most inspiring week. Here is what she wants you to know about why January in Paris is a game-changer for your career and creative spirit. Read to the end to learn about the Window Treats Contest and how it can get you a trip to Paris.

For one week every year, the international design community descends on the City of Light. New collections are unveiled. Showrooms and ateliers open their doors to a select few. And for those who know where to look, January in Paris offers an unparalleled opportunity to see what is next, before it hits the U.S. market.

“Paris in January is your crystal ball for design,“ says Deb Barrett, founder of Decor Tours and a connoisseur of the Paris design scene. “Want to know what you will be seeing in U.S. showrooms later in 2027? Come see it first. This isn’t simply inspiration. It’s market intelligence you can bring home and put to work.”

A Passion That Became a Business

Deb’s journey to becoming one of the most respected design travel guides in the industry started over dinner in Paris. She and her business partner, Susan Schultz, had been traveling together to international design shows for years. Designers would often ask if they could tag along.

“One night over dinner in Paris during Maison&Objet, we had an epiphany,” Deb recalls. “Susan commented on how we probably could fill a tour bus with all the designers wanting to come. We looked at each other and said, ‘Why not!‘ and Decor Tours was born.“

An Insider Experience Unlike Any Other

“We’ve opened our little black book and created a week that goes beyond the obvious, giving you the opportunity to meet the people behind the brands and discover places you might never find on your own,” Deb says.

The tours are intentionally limited in size. “This is not a 30-person bus tour,” she emphasizes. “Our January 2027 group is limited, allowing us to create a more personal, flexible, and insider experience. We know Paris, we know the design community, and we know that the best experiences often happen behind the scenes.“

Each tour is uniquely organized to offer the best possible experiences for that specific time and location. “Because it’s not just about the places you visit, but how you experience them,” Deb explains.

Window Treats Contest Graphic and Paris Decor Tours Experience

Beyond the Showroom: The Soul of Paris

For Deb, Paris is more than a destination. “Paris is my soul city,” she says.

Her favorite spots reflect a deep love for design and discovery. She recommends:

Dior Galleria – a must for fashion and design enthusiasts
Musee Decorative Arts – an essential stop for design history
Opera Garnier – breathtaking architecture
The fabric stores in the Sentier and Montmartre neighborhoods

More than a Trip: A Transformative Experience

Ask past guests about their Decor Tours experience, and the enthusiasm is consistent:

“The trip to Paris exceeded all my expectations. Our group was small enough to easily visit the ateliers and have hands-on workshops with artisans, a true highlight of the trip. There is no way it could have worked so well with a larger group, and it would have been impossible to organize all these opportunities on my own.”

Another guest shared: “My favorite memory about Paris was sharing it with friends and peers who loved design, textiles, and the stories behind the brands. Being immersed in the designs, architecture, and stories was transformative in so many ways for my outlook, life, and business.“

Window Treats Contest Opportunity and Paris Decor Inspo

Your Chance to Experience Paris with Décor Tours

Helser Brothers is proud to offer one designer the opportunity to join Décor Tours on this exclusive Parisian design tour through our 2026 Window Treats contest.

Grand Prize: A sponsored trip to Paris, January 13-19, 2027, with Décor Tours, including private showroom access, cultural immersion, and expert-guided design discovery.

Submit your best Helser Brothers project by October 1, 2026.

Enter the Window Treats Contest