Designpost

This is where it's happening! Designpost has impressively underscored its special position among the design locations in Cologne. Unlike Hall 11 at the imm there are no empty spaces here. On the contrary: new manufacturers are lining up, while many of the old ones revamped their presentations, and there were a host of new products and most importantly good spirits, which Cologne needed so badly this year. Manufacturers such as Nanoo from Switzerland (boasting a spectacular shelving system by Nitzan Cohen) and Swedish design classic Lammhults round out the attractive range of Designpost exhibitors. Moreover, with Kvadrat and Nya Nordiska Designpost numbers two of the best fabric firms and textile amongst its exhibitors.
Other Designpost highlights included: the modular sofa system Domino by Dick Spierenburg for Montis, the cupboard Pure by Pastoe, which combines high-quality finishing with clear forms and excellent value for money, and reeditions of 1960s classicsby Sergio Rodrigues at Classicon.

At the fair

Ligne Roset
A breathtaking presentation by the French firm with a cavalcade of new products. The show oozed optimism. Whether in the ongoing successful collaboration with Pierre Paulin, the sofa system "Confluences" by Philippe Nigro, desk and chair by Francois Azambourg or the wonderful desk by young Meike Rüssler: Ligne Roset strikes a playful balance between proven classics and the new, refines existing products, supports young talents and simultaneously raises its profile as one of the most interesting and bold manufacturers the scene currently has to offer. Congratulations!

Création Baumann
This creative Swiss think-tank is a valuable addition to the furniture fair. Alongside the development of "Gecko", a self-adhesive textile fabric, they presented "Steel" a fabric with a nano coating of metal that wards off both sun and heat and feels as soft as silk.

e15
"SH05 aria" by Arik Levy was one of the highlights at this year's imm. Available as a sideboard or shelving unit it is of striking elegance and offers a wide variety of seamless combination options.

Zeitraum
The new chair by Formstelle from Munich has the makings of a classic object. For years the company from Wolfratshausen near Munich has stood out for its clear formal language, systematic designs featuring wood and successful exhibition presentations.

In the city

Tobias Grau
The highlight in the Spichernhöfe. As the name suggests, the luminaire "Falling Water" has the light fall downwards like drops of water. A modern chandelier with a strong presence.

Established&Sons in the Magazin
It was long awaited: the first presentation by the British label in Germany - and finally a chance to experience the spectacular "Surface Table" by John Barnard and Terence Woodgate live.

Rheinauhafen
Though not all the presentations were equally impressive an exciting new design center has evolved in the cathedral city. Numerous new showrooms (the obvious highlight being Ross Lovegrove's personal appearance at VitrA Bad), while the spectacular architecture promises a bright future.