It’s Day 2 at imm cologne, where Ben Morgan takes a sneak peek at interior trends for 2011.
January 21st, 2011
Well, today was always set to be a big one and despite the ominous clouds forming over Cologne, the atmosphere inside was electric.
Today was the first day of imm for trade and industry and it was a big one.
I headed straight for the press conference for the Interior Trends 2011: imm cologne’s yearly trendbook…
Interior Trends 2011
In the middle of the Pure Village hall at imm cologne sits an exhibition of design trends put together by 4 of the 5 members of the 2011 Interior Trends Board – a group of designers and one journalist chosen six months ago to prepare the imm cologne Interior Trends report.
This morning I was lucky enough to hear Patricia Urquoila, Harald Gündl, Martin Leuthold, Marco Velardi (apartamento magazine) and Marco Susani (husband and partner of DefneKoz), all speak about their part in the exhibition.
Patricia Urquoila’s ‘Emotional Austerity’ is a collection of design pieces from times gone by and modern pieces from some of the world’s best designers (including Urquoila herself of course).
Her belief is that we are living in a time when we can borrow selectively from the past and combine with modern design to create simple spaces and better solutions.
Harald Gründl, on the other hand, feels there is a realisation that we can no longer be just consumers, and that we must all become both producers and consumers. He used his space to bring light to environmental impact and our ability to give back – showing different ways we can produce for ourselves to reduce our impact.
Textile designer Martin Leuthold’s works look at ‘Transforming Perspectives’, with his sequinned wall murals asking us to look at ourselves post-GFC, to look for the “archaic”, “animalistic” and purely magical.
DefneKoz has used the chair designs of others to point out our ‘Surprising Empathy’ towards new materials, that designers and manufacturers are not afraid that new will be soulless.
Of course, this exhibition is simply a glimpse of the Trend Board’s more detailed trends for the year, which you can buy here.
Tomorrow I’ll bring you my favourites from the largest of the halls – Pure – and a review of the Living Kitchen exhibition.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Gessi, luxury Italian design brand, has released the Gessi 316 range to Australia exclusively via Victorian specialist retailer e&s, and it’s time to celebrate.
Feel good at work with Okamura’s new Lives Work Chairs, available from UCI.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Leading the field in terms of ergonomics, this high-end office furniture from Buro is also designed with the evolving needs of the modern workplace in mind.
Wood Marsh’s 40-year legacy shines through landmark infrastructure projects. Recently completing stunning stations at Coburg and Moreland, their designs blend modernity with community needs.