HBL Inspiration: Christmasworld 2011

Alicante at Christmasworld 2011

WGSN-homebuildlife's full report on this year's Christmasworld provides an array of inspiration for the seasonal gifting sector. Our in-depth coverage of the event includes key trend analysis, colour trends and separated product categories, allowing you to go straight to the area which most interests you.

HBL Collection Review: Spring 2011 Serena & Lily

American brand Serena & Lily has launched two collections of well-tailored sofas and chairs for spring 2011.

HBL Contract: Yill by Younicos

German renewable energy specialists Younicos will launch a new mobile energy unit at Milan Design Week in April. Called Yill, the unit is designed by Werner Aisslinger and can provide energy to a workstation for up to three days.

HBL Analysis: Home scent goes high-tech at Ambiente 2011

Stadler Form at Ambiente 2011

Following our recent trend report on the increasing importance of scent in interiors, we've been tracking the trend as it develops at this season's tradeshows. Home scent was a strong trend at Spring Fair this month (read about it here), and this week's Ambiente saw a further development in the field with several new and high-tech designs on show at the fair.

Diane von Furstenberg Home

Diane von Furstenberg has launched the new DVF Home line at New York City's Bloomingdales to coincide with New York Fashion Week. The line features bold colours and patterns that are consistent with DVF's fashion brand, and is produced in partnership with Springs Global US.

HBL Retail: Pie timer by Joseph Joseph

During tradeshow season, some objects consistently catch your eye. British cookware brand Joseph Joseph's latest kitchen timer, Pie, was on show at a number of the main fairs - incuding NYIGF and Frankfurt's Ambiente - and is one such product.

Launched in late 2010, Pie is based on the simple but ingenious idea of cancelling out the numbers that you don't need: a plastic semicircle creeps round the timer counting off the minutes.

HBL Tradeshows: Live from Ambiente 2011

Fehling & Piez at Ambitente 2011, Frankfurt

WGSN-homebuildlife reports live from Ambiente, Frankfurt's annual interiors and gift trade fair, to highlight three key trends seen at the show so far:

1. Tactile serveware
Moving away from the traditional option of ceramics, manufacturers show serveware in a range of tactile and natural materials, including cork, oiled wood and beaten metal

2. Gold decorative detail
Gold was the prevailing trend in tableware, used in one of three ways: blocked, as edging, or for a final decorative flourish

3. Wrapped
In lighting design electrical cables become more than just a functional component as many designers choose to incorporate wound up or loosely wrapped cables as an aesthetical decoration. Across other product categories, designers used tightly wrapped yarn instead of bolts and screws to fix joints and connections

HBL Digital Analysis: Modern Romance

The original Cartolina iPhone app

Accessing and sharing information has never been easier; the advent of the iPad and rise of the smartphone has produced a new way of communicating with consumers. Brands are starting to re-think strategies and generate a strong digital presence and as a result are fuelling the demand for an amplified offering of apps and digital platforms. This trend has permeated almost every aspect of our lives, even extending to romance.

The Valentine’s Day card sees a re-vamp for the J-Peg Generation, with apps that enable users to send their loved ones messages in a digital greeting card format.

HBL Tradeshows: Live from Stockholm Furniture Fair

Tube Me by Elinor Anna Malin Ericsson at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2011

WGSN reports live from Stockholm Furniture Fair,  presenting the three key trends to emerge so far at the annual event:

1. Greenery

Pots and planters incorporated into furniture signalled an attempt to bring nature indoors and improve air quality (read our recent trend report on this). Low tables with individual spaces for pots and wall mounted displays resembling a TV bursting with foliage were the highlights.

2. Frames with loose upholstery

Simple frames with loose cushions or covers woven, draped, stuffed or piled into them provided an interesting take on casual comfort. In many cases the upholstery could be removed and reformed in new ways. These pieces represent casual style taken to the next level of slouchy flexibility.

3. Brass detailing

Brass featured regularly as a complement to plain or painted wood, adding an elegant highlight to simple forms. Often used for functional details (fastenings, handles or mechanisms) the material references craftsmanship and scientific instrumentation.

HBL Material Analysis: Copper

Max Lamb

WGSN-homebuildlife this week investigates an interesting trend in materials which sees designers utilising the malleability of copper to produce a range of strikingly different surface finishes, from expanses of high shine to pock-marked and distorted effects.

HBL Tradeshows: Live from Spring Fair

Authentic Models at Spring Fair 2011

WGSN reports live from Spring Fair in Birmingham, UK, highlighting the three key trends to emerge from this year's event:

1. The rise of home scent
Following WGSN's recent report on the topic, diffusers and other scent dispensers were a key trend at this year's fair, with manufacturers taking a number of approaches - from self-consciously masculine ranges to literary and even scientific themes.

2. 360°
WGSN's A/W 11/12 macrotrend 360 was strongly confirmed at the show. Brands showed products inspired by the Age of Discovery, referencing intrepid voyages to unknown lands and sightings of exotic species.

3. Pastels
The stand-out colour trend was for muted pastels, in a range of soft colourways including blue, green, yellow and neutrals, and usually set against washed or matt surfaces.

Read about our exclusive trends stands on show at the event here.

PAPA by USIN-e at Maison&Objet

Photos by Loic Benoit

Furniture and accessories with tufted edges, fringing or fur upholstery is a key emerging trend that was seen at last month's Maison&Objet fair in Paris. We spotted these furry, scifi-esque creations by young French designers USIN-e in the Talents à la Carte section of Hall 7.