1-Keep it simple
Christian Dorn is making a name for himself by not being complicated or exotic, but rather by applying an acute sense of simplicity to traditional seating furniture. At this year’s IMM, he debuted a straightforward interpretation of armchairs and two- and three-seater sofas – -such as the Ova – in unpretentious material combinations of metal and wool, fabric and leather covers. Dorn says more upholstered furniture, lamps, tables and decorative accessories are to follow. stiltreu.de
2-Full circle
One day Schütz Flechtwelt got together with Fritsch-associés to rethink not just the design of rattan seating but its entire production process as well. The result is Spline, which unlike traditional rattan manufacturing is not bound with adhesives, but rather a system of clamps integrated into the stainless-steel structure. This adhesive-free connection means if Spline is dissembled, the natural fibres are biodegradable and the metal can be recycled. The indoor version uses rattan and stainless steel, while the outdoor version is made from a recyclable, weather-resistant artificial fibre. schuetz-spline.com
3-Desk on a diet
Aptly named Flatmate is a dream come true for many ensconced in that shoebox-in-the-sky we call a condo. Designed by Michael Hilgers for Müller Möbelwerkstätten, its slim depth and sleek, unobtrusive exterior transform hallways into home offices. Behind the side flaps is space for two 8-cm wide standard-sized files, plus a 17-inch laptop including accessories and CDs. When closed, Flatmate has a floor area of just 0.09 square metres. muellermoebel.de
4-Saddle up
The latest scion in Jori’s ever-evolving leather chair collection is the Ascot. Designed by Jean-Pierre Audebert, this eye-catcher is built on a self-supporting structure of curved wood from which hangs a perforated back seat, all covered in saddle leather, and standing on a brushed stainless-steel foot that can rotate 360 degrees. jori.com
5-Come fly with me
The service trolley has been a staple in planes all over the world for decades. But lately, Cologne-based Bordbar has been transforming trolleys into clever, whimsical pieces of furniture with a surprisingly wide variety of uses – available in a multiplicity of patterns, colours and functions. At IMM, Bordbar announced a serendipitous new collaboration: its trolleys will be taken to new heights aboard Airberlin, Germany’s second-largest airline. Coming home, as it were. bordbar.de
6-Feel the light
Oligo’s Trinity lamp series, available in both suspended and standard floor versions, got off to
a great start in 2012 by receiving an Interior Innovation Award during IMM, as well as taking second place in the popular German audience award “Luminaire of the year.” The head consists of independently pivotable segments, and the direction of each segment can be step adjusted, allowing it to be transformed from an uplighter to a down lighter. oligo.de
7-Bust a move
It may seem a bit like a gimmick, but there is also something refreshingly natural about putting socks on the legs of a table – at least Vitamin Design thinks so. Its new GO table lives up to its name, with four angularly offset legs ending
in snug gaiters. This gag gives the table an archaic appearance and a surprisingly cheeky note.
vitamin-design.de
8-Two become one
At this year’s show, Conde House launched a new collection of wooden tables and chairs designed in collaboration with
MalyHoffmannKahleyss. This new line fuses German craftsmanship with Japanese design culture, drawing heavily on notions of symmetry and solidity. The Hakama table, for example, finds a way to balance one solid piece of wood on four precipitously slender legs. condehouse.de
9-A touch of Mondrian
ANB Art and Design presented its new Unicatum shelving system at IMM, full of variable floor elements and side panels, coloured glass and LED lighting elements that can be mixed and matched in a few seconds without the need for tools. anb-art-design.com
10-Scandinavian support
The Norwegian firm Variér introduced Variér Active at the show, the newest addition to its range of work chairs. Designed by Olav Eldøy and Atle Tveit, the chair’s sculptural shape was inspired by the oak leaf; its saddle-shaped seat gives your legs space and freedom of movement. And of course everything is adjustable, including the seat, elbow and backrests. variérfurniture.com
11-With pleasure
The organically shaped elementary form and sculptural softness of Avec Plaisir sofas and chairs, the latest designs by Kati Meyer-Brühl, caught the attention of not only IMM visitors but also the German Design Council, which bestowed it with an Interior Innovation Award earlier this year. The covers – available in cotton, supple stretch wool fabric or leather – come in an array of bright colours. bruehl.com