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imm cologne, Germany’s leading furniture fair, fell victim
to the sluggish economy this year with fewer exhibitors and
visitors. Showcased here are some surprising standouts. —Josephine
Minutillo.
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Plastic
perches
Italian furniture leaders Driade moved what is typically
an off-site exhibition to the fairgrounds this year with
one of the more interesting display booths showing off
some of the fair’s best new introductions. English
design duo Peter Emrys-Roberts and Christine Harvey brought
Phantom to life. The sofa’s chromed steel structure
supports a fluorescent PMMA plastic seat and down cushion
in cotton fabric. Easy Pieces, by French star Christian
Ghion, is a series of rigid polyethylene stacking stools
featuring a softer swivel seat. Available in four designs
ranging from curvy to angular, Easy Pieces is intended
for use indoors or out. Centro Modern Furnishings, St.
Louis. www.centro-inc.com
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Modern
within
The fair’s most exciting new introduction emerged
from a product steeped in tradition. The Loop chair was
designed by James Irvine for Thonet, original producers
of bentwood furniture dating back to 1819. Composed of
a single loop of bentwood, the chair’s design combines
traditional bending techniques with ultramodern 3D CNC
machining. The seat swivels and is available with armrests
and a disc base. ICF Group, Taftville, Conn. www.icfgroup.com
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Storing
secret documents
Known for his spare, austere forms, Dutch architect Wiel
Arets’s work has been referred to as “industrial
poetry.” Lensvelt, the Dutch manufacturer of office
furniture dedicated to contemporary design and production
methods, enlisted Arets to design both its headquarters
and a new product line. Echoing the rigid geometric forms
of his buildings, the Stealth collection incorporates
conference furniture, storage, and benches. The storage
system was specifically designed to divide space while
maintaining acoustic integrity to the open plan. Lensvelt,
Breda, the Netherlands. www.lensvelt.nl
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Celebrating an icon
On the 125th anniversary of Eileen Gray’s
birth, ClassiCon paid tribute to her with a breathtaking
gallery exhibition in the city and a series of new introductions.
Gray designed this small table (left), called De Stijl
for the compositional features it shares with the famed
art movement, in 1922. Her classic Bibendum seat is now
available in fabric finishes as well as leathers, and
her Roquebrune chair has a new powder-coated finish. M2L,
New York City. www.m2lcollection.com
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Kitchen counterparts
Boffi, creator of high-end kitchens and baths under the
artistic direction of Piero Lissoni, recently acquired
the prestigious kitchen line Norbert Wangen, expanding
its offerings to an even more exclusive niche market.
The line features impeccably crafted stainless-steel modular
kitchens notable for designs that conceal appliances.
Shown here is k2, whose cooktop and sink are located beneath
the mobile worktop/table. Wangen, himself an architect
and designer, will continue to collaborate with Boffi
as the division’s designer. Luminaire, Chicago. www.luminaire.com
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Shower with a splash of color
Away from the fairgrounds on the opposite side of the
Rhine was another major exhibition space organized by
Stylepark and featuring both well-known designers and
up-and-comers. Agape introduced several new fixtures for
the bathroom, including Al Dente, a line of showerheads
and soap dishes inspired by a common fixture in the kitchen—the
colander. Also new was Kaa, a soft, flexible, handheld
showerhead made from anti-allergy silicone rubber. Moss,
New York City. www.mossonline.com
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| For
more new products see this month's Product
Focus |
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