Earth color lacquer vase
Europe has just finished several major furniture and furnishing design shows located in Cologne, Milan, Paris, and Stockholm. You were unable to make it to Europe this winter? Join with us as we embark on an on-line tour to see what is happening in Europe.
Color and Design: Color and Design is everywhere. The European shows this winter are filled with a full array of colors. Yellow is emphasized from Stockholm to Paris to Milan. As is Pink, purple, mauve, grays, green, white and a host array of other colors. A great virtual tour of the Milan Show is here, this three minute internet tour should not be missed. There are also two short video clips on youtube.com that highlight some products, color and design from the Stockholm in Febuary 2010. When you view these look for the colors that are being shown at both the shows as these colors are a key to some important color trends. Stockholm Furniture Show Part 1, Stockholm Furniture Show Part 2.
Earthly: From the Olympics to China, the world is on an eco trend that is here to stay. The European shows continue to show this trend in everything from Fashion to Furniture. Take for example these brown toned ceramic bathroom accessories from Johan Golv that was shown at the recent Stockholm Furniture show, to this great Antelope chair designed by Monika Forester for Swedes. The Stockholm Furniture show has many of the brightest young designers from Northern Europe displaying their designs. They have a large section for design schools from all over Northern Europe. Take a moment and go to the Wallpaper website to view the 40 plus slides from this show.
Cardboard Overflow: Cardboard, I mean who would think of cardboard to be used in our industry? At the recently Maison and Object show in Paris, they had some cardboard made and inspired items. Here is a great website called Trend Bible to give you a peek at what went on at the Maison and Object show in January 2010. This site has some great must see photos and ideas. I love the ideas with the cardboard. Here is another great example of someone also using cardboard for something as a fold away child’s chair. The Belkiz a Melbourne based company has fold away baby feeding chairs made entirely out of cardboard. This could be a great find for grandparents who need to have a high chair for their grandchildren when they come to visit but don’t want the expense or have a place to store a regular high chair.
Today in design you not only have to out design your competitors but look at innovative and new materials that no one else has. Join with us next month for another inspiring trend blast.