IMM Cologne 2020: Timber, Craftsmanship and Fun with LEDs
We take a peek at what's new in furniture, lighting and colour at Germany's International Furniture and Interiors Fair
This year’s International Furniture and Interiors Fair in Cologne, Germany (also known as IMM Cologne, which was held from 13 to 19 January 2020), was small enough to have an intimate, almost family feel: this year it was not accompanied by LivingKitchen, its biennial satellite trade fair. Still, the exhibition spaces in Cologne’s city centre were brimming with new ideas and beautiful pieces for our homes. We spotted an emphasis on timber and craftsmanship, the continued admiration of earthy colours, multifunctional furniture and lighting, soundproofing for residential homes and creative approaches to tubular light fixtures.
- Here’s another example of inlay: 90-year-old Danish designer Jørgen Bækmark designed the J165B bar stool for FDB Møbler. It can take two hours to weave each seat by hand using twisted paper cord.
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- German designer Sebastian Herkner developed the Mati chair for Bosnian furniture manufacturer Zanat. Herkner tells us that he deliberately kept the chair simple: only the legs are adorned with a pattern, which is individually hand-carved on each chair.
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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 multi-functional furniture and a bench by Thomas Schnur.
Right wall from front to back: Trog side table by Tim Kerp, Stufen multi-functional 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 the Austrian Bregenz Forest, where they collaborate with local craftspeople on new ideas and designs. Their minimalist furniture, which is reduced to its raw materials, is a love letter to timber and woodwork. All pieces are made of local silver fir.
- In his According to the Grain furniture series, Japanese designer Sho Ota wants to emphasise the beauty of flaws, such as knots, in timber. The wooden surface is not smooth but has a unique texture with the knots extended to show where a branch might have grown.
The new flexi furniture
For many years, people have wanted to see the fair present solutions for small rooms and furniture that is flexible and easy to assemble and disassemble. This year we finally got our wish.
For many years, people have wanted to see the fair present solutions for small rooms and furniture that is flexible and easy to assemble and disassemble. This year we finally got our wish.
- Seat or shelf? Bow by Arco is both, and also stackable.
- Slim in design and extremely adaptable: the Fold Out sofa by Brühl.
- Klapp by Cologne designer Thomas Schnur is as simple as it is ingenious. This folding chair – a folded one hangs on the wall in this image – made of silver fir is only held together by four screws.
- The Nait bed by Müller Möbel consists of just 12 individual components (see the image on the left) and can be assembled and disassembled in the blink of an eye without tools.
- A box full of possibilities: the X-Tend coat rack system by Loca lets users get creative with how they set it up at home.
- Binomio, made of lacquered beechwood, is a desk, wardrobe, dining table, bench and bookcase all in one. Or as designer Giuseppe Arezzi says, “It can also be used as an altar or prayer table”.
Colour trends
In general, the trend towards green tones and earthy colours remains, as seen in the Monti furniture stands pictured above and below.
In general, the trend towards green tones and earthy colours remains, as seen in the Monti furniture stands pictured above and below.
Rust tones and terracotta appeared not only on soft upholstery but also in finishes for tables and storage furniture, while beige tones continued to be popular on upholstery and accessories.
- Fermob matched earthy brown with icy blue (pictured here)…
…While Interlübke brought together chocolate brown and intense azure blue (pictured here).
- Berry tones go perfectly with dark walnut, cherry and brown marble surfaces such as those presented by Ligne Roset.
- COR combined intense shades of red and rust.
- Cream, beige and sand tones remain popular for furniture covers, home textiles and accessories, as seen in pieces by Bolia (above) and Henk.
Furniture for quiet
Noise reduction is a big issue not only in the modern workplace but also in residential spaces, especially in open floor plans. Some designers and manufacturers presented soundproofing solutions for private homes.
Noise reduction is a big issue not only in the modern workplace but also in residential spaces, especially in open floor plans. Some designers and manufacturers presented soundproofing solutions for private homes.
- Manufacturer BuzziSpace specialises in designing noise-absorbing furniture, primarily for offices. The Belgian brand displayed pieces such as the BuzziMe armchair, which can serve as an oasis of calm in the living room.
- Young designer Peter Otto Vosding presented his minimalist SoftShelf system, with its padded, sound-absorbing walls.
- Beetle consists of acoustic panels developed by MUT Design for manufacturer Sancal. “It looks like it’s just decor, and functions unobtrusively,” MUT designers Alberto Sánchez and Eduardo Villalón told Houzz. At this year’s fair, MUT Design presented their vision of the house of the future.
Fluorescent tube 2.0
We spotted lots of light fixtures in the form of tubes, where technological elements were integral parts of the designs.
We spotted lots of light fixtures in the form of tubes, where technological elements were integral parts of the designs.
- Rope Light by Akttem is a textile cable with LED tubes inside. The design can be combined with and interact with other aspects within a space: for example, it can be used as a room divider, hung individually or laid flat on the floor or a shelf.
- In Grid by Ligne Roset, the light unit is encased in a perforated sheet that looks like hanging mesh. It is available as a pendant light or floor lamp.
- The Ingo Maurer brand showcased the Tubular lamp, which seemed to float in mid-air. The light source is hidden in the filigreed red lamella structure, which lets points of light shine forth and takes on a form akin to a string of pearls.
- The Vapour series of lamps from Hollandslicht is inspired by natural shapes. LEDs and laser-made cuts in the glass tubes create a unique lighting effect.
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