Every year, the design calendar kicks off in Cologne, as thousands of visitors arrive for the IMM Cologne Furniture Fair. A space of innovation and luxury, it’s a key indicator of how Europe’s most exciting furniture brands are gearing up for the future of work and play. For this year’s edition, we dropped in on 8 of our top brands to find out what contemporary living looks like in 2019.

Cassina

Under the direction of Patricia Urquiola, Cassina has developed a new appreciation for colour and texture, commissioning a luxurious collection of plush new velvets. All jewel tones and lush piles, there is a real sense of glamour to every finish. Sleek new additions like the Bowy Sofa join the ranks of the Otto and Maralunga, establishing Cassina as the go-to for effortless Italian lounging.

The stand itself revealed a flexible use of space, with free-flowing rooms and a confident use of colour. Classics from the I Maestri Collection were reimagined with glossy lacquered surfaces, while at the heart of every arrangement sat a contemporary modular sofa, reaffirming the lounge as the most important room in the house.

De Sede

It was a different story at De Sede. Elegant leather armchairs and poufs revealed a softer side to contemporary life, one in which comfort and flexibility reigns. Several new sofas, including the DS-1088, rejected traditional forms in favour of more open silhouettes, with the intention of encouraging new ways of connecting. The DS-600 also looked stunning in velvet, lending it a softer, more domestic feel.

De Sede has also been quick to turn their attention outdoors, introducing stunning collections of semi-outdoor lounge seating like the DS-080. Pairing impeccable craftsmanship with a keen eye for innovation, De Sede posits a variety of possible futures, in which homeowners enjoy versatility and comfort in every setting.

B&B Italia

The home of fine Italian styling, B&B Italia portrayed an elegant account of European life. Living areas were separated by stylish installations of the Jack Bookcase, gifting privacy and storage to the open-plan layout. Meanwhile, the Atoll Sofa appeared in a variety of modular formats, its traditional appearance offset by a pair of sculpted leather lounge chairs.

Colour could be found in the array of contemporary outdoor furniture debuting at the fair. The beautiful Ribes Collection harnessed striped textiles from South America to bring forth a laidback series of outdoor sofas, loungers and islands.

Fascinating too were the new finishes for the Mirto Outdoor Dining Table. Pictured above with Erica Outdoor Dining Chairs, the table tops are crafted from black lava stone and stained in a variety of hues. Decorative tiles crafted from recycled electronic screens are then applied in a Sicilian lace pattern, using an exclusive manufacturing process. Set against the terracotta backdrop, the delicate tiles took on an old-worldly significance, reminiscent of meandering hieroglyphics or ancient cave decorations.

In this context, luxury living means finding the balance between tradition and innovation, with the garden representing a new space for experimentation. The influence of the global south on textiles and techniques also shows no sign of waning, as designers travel further in search of new palettes and inspiration.

Ligne Roset

For French manufacturer, Ligne Roset, texture is the key to a sensory and inspiring home. Working through the language of embroidery, they used a state-of-the-art sewing robot to etch beautiful patterns into the upholstery of the Uncover and Ploum Sofas. Also included in the selection of gently rounded loungers was the Clam Sofa Bed — a visually soft cocoon that whose easy to operate system promises fuss-free hosting for years to come. To complete the look, Ligne Roset incorporated smoked glass coffee tables and circular accessories, establishing soft curves at every turn.

In their warm and welcoming stand, comfort was something that could be reached out and touched, confirming the importance of tactile designer furniture in a world mediated by screens.

Poltrona Frau

As one of the most premium Italian brands in the industry, we look to Poltrona Frau for statement style and impeccable finishing. Their stand at this year’s IMM Cologne 2019 fused the material sensations of leather with the lightness of metal architecture to create a striking yet welcoming living arrangement.

Of particular note was their preoccupation with the fusion of living and working spaces, first glimpsed at this year’s Orgatec Review. Their contemporary office was equipped with a reclining lounge chair, dining table and daybed, in a clever anticipation of the blurring boundaries between the workplace and the home.

Knoll

At Knoll, the future is informed by a keen sense of history. In celebration of the centenary of the Bauhaus School of the Arts, they released a variety of limited edition designs from its former director, Mies Van Der Rohe. Included are 365 numbered editions of the Barcelona Lounge Chair with a new black chrome frame (one for every day of the centenary) and a variety of exclusive upholstery options for the MR collection.

Nestled alongside novelties like the KN01 Swivel Lounge Chair, it was clear to see how the language of iconic design still resonates today, requiring just a quick change of upholstery to be fit for contemporary homes.

Porada

Beautiful wood furniture was evident throughout IMM Cologne 2019, but nowhere so refined as Porada. Whether sculpted into magnificent dining tables or used alongside leather and velvet, it conveyed warmth and honesty with its swirling grains and rich tones. Icons like the Infinity Dining Table played a supporting role, with novelties like the Argo Sofa and Vera Armchair taking centre stage. Enlivening the neutral grey palette were glossy red accent details in the form of the Jok Side Table and Tondo Dining Table.

Wood as a material feels even more relevant than ever and is increasingly being used to forge a connection between the home and the natural world. We can expect to see it’s adoption in all areas of the home, from contemporary lighting through to luxury lounging, with titans like Porada leading the fore in terms of quality and style.

Cattelan Italia

At Cattelan Italia, burnished metal finishes conveyed glamorous Italian living with an industrial edge. Particularly noticeable was their use of beautiful pendant lighting, illuminating dining tables, sideboards, and bedside units. Quilted leather upholstered stylish dining chairs and bar cabinets adding texture and flair to traditionally flat surfaces. Elegant wall mirrors were also essential in bouncing light around the atmospherically lit stand.

Cattelan Italia‘s IMM Cologne stand demonstrated a masterful understanding of luxe industrial Italian style. Warm metals and golden undertones established a glowing living space that feels stylish yet approachable in every room of the house.

At Chaplins, we’re delighted to display all of the brands discussed above in our luxury lifestyle showroom in Hatch End. The current studios feature a selection of their latest novelties as well as some of their most iconic designs. For a closer look at the best in contemporary designer furniture, why not pay us a visit or browse the various collections online? You can also stay up to date with all the latest industry news by connecting with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.