Like last year, the French manufacturer Ligne Roset is meeting the general trend square on, and with innovations at the furniture fair "imm cologne". Exclusively new products were on display at the stand at Cologne displayed, one of the highpoints being the "Ruché" sofa created by French designer Inga Sempé. The sofa reveals much of the young designer's free spirit, which has seen her work not just with Ligne Roset but also with renowned companies such as Cappellini, Edra, Luceplan and Baccarat, just as it demonstrates her craftsmanship, how she takes the technology to the limits while creating a sense of formal lightness. "Ruché" will be in retail outlets as of summer 2010.

Munich-based gallery-owner Jörg Schellmann and his "Schellmann Furniture" collection were at the Cologne furniture fair for the first time, and a positive addition they are, too. Truly outstanding, for example, is the "Storage" system, made of industrial plastic containers arranged serially in a tubular steel frame. The design stands for its formal rigor, lightness, and humor. The steel frame is available in gray or pure orange, while the containers are gray.

Munich manufacturer Piure has landed a real coup in the shape of the "Flex" shelving system created by designer group ForUse. "Flex" consists of open shelving elements with refined drawer inserts and boxes that can be flexibly placed in the drawers and stand protrude from the line of the shelf. All the elements are available in different heights, breadths, materials and colors, and the furniture can be placed on a refined plinth or hung from a wall. The result: a sculpture with the texture of a relief that can be customized to individual needs and preferences.

Accente had a very strong trade-fair presence as the leading maker of Loom Furniture. The stand was clearly and elegantly designed, with the focus on a few one-offs (such as the bed "Aura" designed by Martin Ballendat, who was also responsible for the stand design) and gave Accente a new positioning in the world of high-end design. A courageous move that deserves support.

Schönbuch is firmly committed to designing hallways and repeatedly comes up with new design surprises. This year of especial interest: The re-edition of the Verner Panton clothes stand, of which only one copy survived, owned by his wife; it is available in several different colors.

ClassiCon decided in the run-up to the fair to withdraw from the Design Post and exhibit once again at the trade fair proper. On the content front, the cooperation with Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues has continued. One outstanding idea: the idiosyncratic bar stool named "Nine", which combines masculine (the hard-edged foot supports) and feminine elements (the round shapes and the slightly curved seat).

imm cologne
The international furniture and interior design fair
from Jan. 19-24, 2010
daily, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Koelnmesse, Cologne
Germany

www.imm-cologne.de