Trend Report of imm Cologne 2014

Published on : Monday, December 23, 2013

imm-cologneThe current trends in the furnishing sector seem contradictory. On the one hand there is a continuing, strong demand for natural materials – and especially for wood: oak and vividly grained varieties supplemented by light woods such as ash or birch. Felt is also in great demand, and leather is enjoying growing popularity as well. On the other hand, people are in the mood for more colour again.

 

And because anything goes these days, it is precisely this penchant for combining different things that is the dominant trend: wood is being contrasted with strong colour accents, different types of wood are being used together and the natural look is being pepped up with brightly painted occasional furniture and with blatantly artificial elements and materials such as high-tech textiles, plastic chairs and futuristic structures.

 

This clash of design cultures can even be seen in one and the same piece of furniture, the elements of which appear to have been fragmented and then put back together again in a different way.
Caught in this quandary, the consumer reaches for anything that can help him with his stylistic balancing act: individual pieces of furniture like re-editions or things with signs of wear and tear – whether they are genuine originals or simply have a “used” look for a faux-vintage effect – promise to create a story of their own or at least tell a few stories; wooden stools with crochet covers or steel chairs with cushions sporting folkloric patterns look as if they’ve been hand-made or inherited from Granny and are easy to change around as well. Puristic dining tables made of old wood salvaged from demolished buildings or old barns exude the charm of authentic history; mounted on a filigree iron base, they look old and modern at the same time. Furniture like this can be rearranged in new combinations time and time again; it can be contrasted with new colours – as in the “colour blocking” trend that is so popular right now – and even be given a different function.

 

It seems as if there is no limit to the possibilities. With the international furnishing show imm cologne leading the way, this year’s trade fairs will be demonstrating how much the furniture industry has already adapted to consumers’ conflicting desires. The spectrum of furniture styles, materials and functions will be one side of the coin, customisation options the other. The high number of re-editions and re-designs based on classic role models from Aalto to van de Velde is certainly grounds for optimism that the trend towards furniture with character and quality will continue. Experience has shown that classics like this can present themselves in a new light time and time again, even years down the line.

 

 

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