Capital of Furniture without ice and snow Reporting from the imm cologne 2012
Journalists have a few privileges on fairs. Not necessarily in any lounge, but free admission and free parking. Very often free rides by public transportation. As per car and drive, there are - I believe - hardly any international trade fair, where everything runs so smoothly. Even in rain! Funnily enough this year I saw more-renowned Italian exhibitors in Cologne. But just to keep their innovations back until the Milan Fair in April. Pity really, because the imm cologne is indeed more of a purchase place, and now the Italian designs are back and not even knowing whether they were successful or could be have been. Accordingly, the fireworks went off the news a little differently. Well, it was- except in the extra hall called "Pure Village" -, not the most colourful than ever, but it sparkled here and there. It was for sure exciting at Ligne Roset. They offered 60 new items of 40 designers on a very clear stand. During a walk over Roset’s booth I learned, that Mr. Michel Roset themselves looks always in the hall of the Young Designer (d3) where he was searching for outstanding prototypes that can fit in well in the program of this established French brand.
„Okumi“, inspired by the front ribbons of kimonos
Basically, playful and adventurous comes the German company bretz along. It is always a delight to look at the quite difficult to make, seat backs or headboards. Even the fabrics and patterns are a feast for the eyes. The stand alone it is an experience in itself. Everything is different from the others.
But once let’s come to another area, which many see as wet rooms. Wellness sounds better though. At the community level for the first time placed the companies Kaldewei and Grohe a mutual stand, where I have immediately noticed that the shower trays of Kaldewei can be easily combined well with the fittings by Grohe. Especially the colour palettes fit together perfectly. By the way Kaldewei was the first manufacturer of steel bathtubs in one piece - that came out, without welds! That was 1958. So, I learnt something new which was already old.
Colourful shower-power by Kaldewei
If I get asked, what trend(s) I have seen, I can only say that I did not discover any mainstream but a lot of changes. Tradition and innovation was recognized, however subliminally. At the auto industry this is called Face-lift, if you know what we mean ... but my polar white Volvo V60 was so new, that this car is still jauntily when I coming back to the Capital of Furniture next year.
See more on videos of LTV and images on flickr Wolfgang G. K端lper / Jan. 2012