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The original international trade fair for design imm cologne styles itself as 'the interior business event', with emphasis on the definite article. Sure, there are other big-top exhibitions globally who would challenge such a claim, but it's safe to say that Cologne holds its own. It's long been more than just a product platform. With an industry eager to know what the next big trends are, in addition to doing some good business in the here and now, imm delivers a future-gazing dose of a brave new indoor world.
Among the premium brands at January's edition riding the wave were Zeitraum, Studio Piet Boon, Christine Kröncke, Jori and Laufen...
| | | Simon Keane-Cowell, Editor-in-Chief | | | Photos: Nava Rapacchietta | | | ZEITRAUM: Walking the walk
| | | In our woke times, it’s not uncommon to see companies loudly displaying their environmental credentials. For some, it’s just a way to woo a more conscious audience. Not so in the case of German wood-furniture manufacturer ZEITRAUM, who, with their Furniture Footprint sustainability programme, prove they do more than just talk the talk.
ZEITRAUM have been on this path since their founding in Bavaria in 1990, guided by the principle of ‘combining ideas, design and ecology‘, and a future-oriented view is at the heart of the company itself as well as of its products.
They combine rich woodworking traditions with state-of-the-art processing technology and a three-pronged sustainability strategy: economic, ecological and social. Add creations such as their Turntable and Okito collections to the mix and it's no surprise that ZEITRAUM remain on the front foot. | | | Studio Piet Boon: Pure refinement
| | | Encounters with the design projects of Studio Piet Boon inspire thoughts of timelessness, comfort and style – and their products no less so.
This globally active architecture, interior and product design studio was founded in 1983 by Piet Boon and Karin Meyn in Oostzaan, The Netherlands. Known for crafting the perfect balance between functionality, aesthetics and individuality, their multidisciplinary team is active in the residential, corporate and hospitality segments, as well as producing their own product lines.
Their products’ refinement perfectly reflects the studio’s identity, and during imm cologne 2020, three new additions were introduced: minimalist, modular DERK sofa; the playful, multi-use NOOR pouf; as well as the High BO – a sofa suitable for dining. To see more of Studio Piet Boon, visit Design Post in Cologne.
| | | Christine Kröncke: Head of the household | | | Christine Kröncke is a household name – and this, in more than one sense of the term. In a market where brands come and go, Kröncke’s eponymously named interiors brand has been a constant, reassuring presence since 1974.
The secret to such longevity? A holistic and continuously consistent approach to design, the ability to create pieces that fill rooms with atmosphere; being able to see the big picture but also meticulously looking after the details – ‘the elegance of a good decision’ as they like to put it.
At imm cologne this year, all of Kröncke’s trademark touches were on show – with the CHIARA bed and BÉLA side tables; the elegant, contemporary combination of the TARAS table and its solid walnut top accompanied by YUMA swivel chairs and JUNA bench.
| | | Few things embody the concept of relaxation more succinctly than the reclining chair. If you don't believe it, JORI’s award-winning Daydreamer reclining chair by German designer Joachim Nees might just sway you in favour of the argument.
Its inviting curves, elegance and comfort are a crystallisation of what Juan Jorion had in mind when he founded the company in 1963 with the goal of creating the ultimate in seating comfort. And of course, it boasts all of JORI’s trademark characteristics: innovative comfort, timeless style, quality and Belgian craftsmanship.
JORI’s configurator allows customers to choose from a broad range of colours and high-quality leather or fabric coverings – allowing them to create their very own perfect variation, or you might say, the chair of their dreams.
| | | Laufen: Give me some space
| | | One would think that over 125 years in business might afford a company the luxury of being able to lie back for a second and bask in its success. Not an option for Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen though. This is a company with eyes firmly fixed on the future.
Laufen knows that size restrictions presented by the typical bathroom require intelligent solutions. To this end, they put their innovative SaphirKeramik technology at the disposal of designer Konstantin Grcic and the results are the latest additions to the VAL series.
The compact, sleek, elegantly-thin walls of the new VAL washbasins – enabled by SaphirKeramik – allow designers to reclaim valuable bathroom real estate without sacrificing on washbasin size, meaning even the most spatially challenged bathroom projects can now enjoy the luxury of a little extra breathing space!
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