Wood, Craftsmanship and Fun With LEDs at IMM Cologne
Get a peek at new furnishings and lighting shown at the 2020 International Furniture and Interiors Fair in Germany
This year’s International Furniture and Interiors Fair in Cologne, Germany, was small enough to have an intimate, almost family feel. IMM Cologne, as it’s also called, wasn’t accompanied this year by Living Kitchen, its biennial satellite. Still, exhibition spaces at the Jan. 13-19, 2020, trade show were brimming with new ideas and beautiful pieces for the home. We spotted an emphasis on wood and craftsmanship; the continued admiration of earthy colors, multifunctional furniture and lighting; soundproofing; and creative approaches to tubular light fixtures.
These J165B bar stools were created by 90-year-old designer Jørgen Bækmark for FDB Møbler. It can take two hours to hand-weave each seat out of twisted paper cord.
Maison & Objet: Top Looks for Interior Design in 2020
Maison & Objet: Top Looks for Interior Design in 2020
Left wall from front to back: Brut Fir shelf system, Feather Wall room divider, and Siti chair and table series by Klemens Grund
Right wall from front to back: Trog side table by Tim Kerp, Stufen multifunctional furniture and a bench by Thomas Schnur
Design collective Generation Köln consists of designers Karoline Fesser, Klemens Grund, Tim Kerp and Thomas Schnur. They spend time together in Austria’s Bregenz Forest, where they collaborate with local craftsmen on new ideas and designs. Their furniture, which is reduced to its raw materials, is a love letter to wood and woodwork. All pieces are made of local silver fir.
Right wall from front to back: Trog side table by Tim Kerp, Stufen multifunctional furniture and a bench by Thomas Schnur
Design collective Generation Köln consists of designers Karoline Fesser, Klemens Grund, Tim Kerp and Thomas Schnur. They spend time together in Austria’s Bregenz Forest, where they collaborate with local craftsmen on new ideas and designs. Their furniture, which is reduced to its raw materials, is a love letter to wood and woodwork. All pieces are made of local silver fir.
In his According to the Grain furniture series, Japanese designer Sho Ota wants to emphasize the beauty of wood’s flaws, such as knots. The pieces aren’t smooth but rather have a unique texture, with the knots protruding to show where a branch might have grown.
5 Hot Trends From Toronto’s 2020 Interior Design Show
5 Hot Trends From Toronto’s 2020 Interior Design Show
Schnur’s Klapp seating is simple and ingenious. The folding chair — a folded one hangs on the wall in this photo — made of silver fir is held together by only four screws.
Color Trends
The trend toward green tones and earthy colors continues, as seen in the Monti furniture stands pictured above and below. Rust tones and terra cotta appeared not only on upholstery but also on storage furniture finishes and tables, while beiges continued to be popular on upholstery and accessories.
The trend toward green tones and earthy colors continues, as seen in the Monti furniture stands pictured above and below. Rust tones and terra cotta appeared not only on upholstery but also on storage furniture finishes and tables, while beiges continued to be popular on upholstery and accessories.
Fermob paired earthy brown with icy blue (seen here), while Interlübke brought chocolate brown together with intense azure blue (below).
Berry tones go perfectly with the dark walnut, cherry and brown marble surfaces presented by Ligne Roset.
COR combined intense shades of red and rust in its offerings.
Cream, beige and sand tones remain popular for textiles and accessories, as seen in pieces by Bolia (pictured) and Henk.
Furniture for Quiet
Noise reduction is a big issue not only in the modern workplace but in residential spaces, especially in open floor plans. Some designers and manufacturers presented soundproofing solutions for the home.
Noise reduction is a big issue not only in the modern workplace but in residential spaces, especially in open floor plans. Some designers and manufacturers presented soundproofing solutions for the home.
Fluorescent Tube 2.0
We spotted lots of light fixtures in the form of tubes, where technological elements were integral parts of the design.
Rope Light by Akttem is a textile cable with LED tubes inside. It can be combined with other aspects of the space. For example, it can be used as a room divider, hung individually or laid flat on the floor or on a shelf.
We spotted lots of light fixtures in the form of tubes, where technological elements were integral parts of the design.
Rope Light by Akttem is a textile cable with LED tubes inside. It can be combined with other aspects of the space. For example, it can be used as a room divider, hung individually or laid flat on the floor or on a shelf.
The Vapor series of lamps from Hollands Licht is inspired by natural shapes. LEDs and laser-made cuts in the glass tubes create a unique effect.
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There’s nothing new about wood furniture, but it’s the material of the hour thanks to the current zeitgeist of sustainability. What was striking was the love and craftsmanship designers have poured into new kinds of wood furniture.
The Tavla dining table from Petite Friture is made of two types of walnut put together using marquetry techniques. In general, there were many pieces of furniture made of dark wood, such as dark oiled or stained oak and maple.