9. Feb. 2010
IMM Cologne 2010.People have become accustomed to the idea that the real novelties are not presented until April in Milan. Cologne, on the other hand, has established itself as an authority in design with German thoroughness. But this year’s furniture fair brought new concepts and approaches. |
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Despite – or perhaps because of – the current discussion about socially relevant values and economic systems, people are intensely interested in design. This was certainly the impression at the IMM. Design as a medium to lend expression to attitudes or mindsets seems more important than ever to many people; visitors were more analytical, more selective and above all evaluating products for intrinsic value. It is possible that the critical re-examination of established values and previously trodden paths was the catalyst for a certain tendency towards experimentation, a search for intelligent solutions, for the forms and boundaries of design, and above all for sustainable use opportunities for new or even old materials. Aside from the fact that ecological aspects were prominently in the foreground – this development is no longer new, but rather an accepted necessity – Cologne was less decorated and less ornate, emphasising the return to simplicity and tradition. What interior design trends were discernible at the furniture fair? The creatives on the trend board, the expert committee at the IMM Cologne, have tried to analyse and summarise current developments. We have linked three of their major trends with our own observations from the furniture fair. Trickery Several experimental designs play with expectations of a design’s comfort or functionality. Improvisations are suddenly taken seriously and celebrated as a creative quality beyond the perfect design. This could be the forerunner of a new living environment as redefined by the Facebook generation. No longer eel-smooth style, but rather obviously uncomplicated, almost sloppy, spontaneous and emotional. The colour concept has also been adjusted to this end. The strong colour and material contrasts of recent years are over. Colour concepts are now more harmonious, somewhat more subtle in their differentiation. Discipline In difficult times, more conservative spirits gravitate towards tried and true style. They focus on the original Bauhaus aesthetic, looking for absolute perfection. As a response to change, this target group is returning to a focus on the rationality of things. Or, if you like, to the beauty of rationality: luxury is no longer sought after in comfort, but rather in formal and qualitative effectiveness. Only forms that are beautiful, innovative and durable are useful. Bauhaus classics provide the artistic direction, and handcrafted quality imbues the objects with authenticity. In terms of materials, there is a return to the real: wood, leather, textiles or ceramics, finished off with synthetic details. Beige, antique pink and a warm tea-brown lend warmth to the discipline. Comfort Zone In familiar, harmonious ambiance, people recall the robust quality of traditional forms and patterns from all over the world, focussing on self-made goods and things that look as if they were handmade. A kind of retreat into the cuddly zone, an attempt to decelerate as a reaction to rapid societal development and change. Voluminous wingback chairs redolent of English nostalgia, cake-shaped pick-me-ups and furniture that spreads a homey self-made aesthetic – all of these keep the outside world at bay. Colourful, traditional ornamentation brings a piece of the distant world into the home. Textiles, floral carpets and ceramic tiles radiate comfort and durability, supported by earthy browns with blackberry notes and discreet yellow-red-green flecks of colour. Though defined by powerful juxtaposition, all interior trends have one thing in common. Quality is writ large. The trend towards individualisation, which has been recognised for years, continues on. People are turning away from the mainstream and looking for original, unique interior design combinations for their own four walls. And the confluence of different design streams is not only looked upon with approval, but is actively sought after. Completely in the sense of plurality. In summary, Cologne 2010 has thoroughly awakened our excitement for the 2010 design year that stretches ahead of us. Peter Handlgruber |
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