The annual furniture design fair IMM Cologne wrapped up in Germany last week, and with it we were introduced to hundreds of new pieces, designers and trends for the coming year. Here are just five of our favourite designs we found on the show floor from the likes of COR, Pulpo and Ligne Roset. Watch for the May issue of Azure (on newsstands March 29) for more IMM coverage.
Avalanche sofa by COR
With its super-high back and voluminous cushioning, the Avalanche sofa is a comfortable addition for open spaces, both at home and more public settings. Designed by Milan-based studio Metrica, the sofa offers a high degree of flexibility with the backrest that can be extended into a tall, upright position to give the sitter a sense of isolation or folded down to create a more open and inviting scenario.
Available in a wide range of COR’s signature colour palette, its open base adds a bit of lightness so as not to crowd a room. An easy chair version is also available. cor.de
Light Now, Vol 1 by Pulpo
For its newest collection, lighting brand Pulpo joined forces with Sebastian Herkner, Ferréol Babin and others to develop a comprehensive line of illuminators that revolve around material exploration. Each of the four offerings has its own distinct personality, but a common playfulness is evident in the shapes and material applications.
For instance, Babin’s Magma (above) places a smooth, matte-finished hand-blown glass sphere atop a base that looks as though it incorporates volcanic rock – the ceramic base has been treated with a liberal coating of fat lava glaze before firing, with a unique raw-textured surface being the result. Herkner, on the other hand, stretches the limits of glass with Bent, a sculptural floor lamp with a fluted glass panel that has been pushed, pulled, flared and curled into a patterned shade. pulpoproducts.com
Bayan side table by Pode
Dutch brand Pode only launched internationally two years ago, but already has a rather strong portfolio. Standing out among the soft seating, rugs, lights and accessories (all with clean lines and strong palettes), the Bayan table by Roderick Vos caught our eye thanks to its rugged yet organic appearance. On closer look, its materiality comes into focus – the squat and shapely tables are made of hand-thrown ceramic that has been treated to a metallic glazing and colourful top surfaces. pode.eu
Earth Textiles and Carpet by Casalis
Aptly named Earth, this collection by Dutch designer Liset van der Scheer is intended to evoke the experience of wandering through a forest and reconnecting with nature. The Belgian-headquartered textile and carpet manufacturer spent three years researching and developing the fabric for Earth, resulting in a biodegradable material made from organic wool, natural latex and plant-based dyes.
Utilizing a 3D-tufting technique, the structured carpets come in six patterns – Cloud, Forest, Moss, Stone and Sand – and have a structured, pleasingly dense feel that resembles the texture and softness of moss. Corresponding knitted pouffes are stuffed with a completely recyclable synthetic ball, which can be returned to Casalis for repurposing at end of life. casalis.be
Astair Lounge Chair by Ligne Roset
Designer and artist Pierre Charpin took the archetypal elements of a wing chair – a high headrest, lumbar support and complementary footstool – and interpreted them with a contemporary eye, rounding off the edges and adding a tubular steel frame. The sculptural seat features pocket-sprung suspension and high-resilience foam for a super comfortable landing and the steel frame was bent into shape to avoid the need for solder joints or screws, giving it a clean appearance overall.
A series of side and occasional tables reflect the framework and can be set with tops and bases of Carrara or Nero Marquina marble. ligne-roset.com