HBL Tradeshows: Live from imm Cologne

Tvilum at imm Cologne 2011

WGSN-homebuildlife reports live from one of the most important furnishing fairs in the international design calendar, imm Cologne - this year joined by its new sister show, Living Kitchen. Here are three key trends to emerge from this year's show:

1. Sofas and beds merge: Manufacturers merged the aesthetics of the sofa and the bed. Beds were seen without headboards, resting directly on the floor and able to function as areas for sitting and lounging as well as sleeping. Sofas also commonly rested flat on the floor, and were either generously proportioned to allow for resting or featured a flexible arrangement which allowed them to expand into daybeds.

2. Use of raw wood: The biggest materials trend at the event was the use of unfinished wood, confirming our spring/summer 2011 macrotrend Fair and Square. Rough-hewn chunks of wood were used for tables and other large pieces of furniture, while uneven planks of wood with contrasting grains were also used widely.

3. Button back detail: The design detail traditionally featured on Chesterfield sofas – embedded decorative buttons – was seen widely on all types of upholstered furniture, modernised and updated for today’s customer. Designers gave the style a handcrafted twist by scattering buttons around unevenly, using different colours and styles together, or reducing the technique to just a gathered thread detail.