The event, set for Jan. 18-23, includes 60 Italian companies

COLOGNE, Germany — Labels from Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, France, Austria and Germany will showcase their latest furnishing designs at next week's IMM Cologne furnishings fair, which runs Jan. 18-23.
Cologne also will feature innovations from young up-and-coming designers.

One of the largest contingents here will come from Italy, with 60 companies showcasing their designs, including MDF Italia, Kartell, Potocco, Bonaldo, Zeus Noto, Bensen, Softline and Matteograssi. Other names from Italy include Riva, Minotti, Flexform, La Palma, Cassina, Cappellini, Poltrona Frau, Marac, Fiam, Cierre, Porada and Tonon.

The Italian companies will show their highlights in the Pure design hall with stylish dining rooms, expressive solid wood furniture and lavish upholstery.

Design trends from Italy can be viewed at the exhibit booths of Poltrona Frau, Cassina and Cappellini in the Pure hall. Those sources have combined their exhibits, staging their brands in what they call a "hyper-realistic" home setting.

Cassina will highlight a group called Authentic Wood — four new products in the Cassina I Maestri Collection by Le Corbusier. The presentation will focus on the challenge of translating spacious, classic pieces into human dimensions for urban rooms and of creating beautiful, comfortable products in the right size out of exquisite materials and with a passion for detail, according to Giulio Cappellini, architect and art director of Poltrona Frau and Cappellini.

Another trend: soft and warm shades with bright splashes of color for accent, such as cobalt blue. Shapes this year will be clear but slightly rounded.

"For us, Germany is the most important gateway to the states of Eastern Europe. We believe it's crucial to have a presence at IMM Cologne," said Claudio Luti, CEO of Kartell.

Matteo Galimberti, head of communications and marketing at Flexform, said the show "will give us definite advantages and encourage further growth on the German market."
In the Pure Village in Hall 3.2, attendees can view the latest designers from Italy, Gandia Blasco from Spain, or Fritz Hansen, Furnism or Stringfurniture from the Scandinavian countries. The interdisciplinary show format will combine flooring from Parador, wallpapers from A.S. Création, textiles by Greek label Nomaad and lighting systems from Austria's Zumtobel.

The Pure hall will also showcase product premieres from Ligne Roset of France, which are available for worldwide distribution.

"Exports account for two-thirds of our business," said company owner Pierre Roset. "And because the Cologne show has a very high percentage of international customers, it makes good sense to use the fair as a platform for our new products."

Adds Lucia Legè from MDF Italia, "Because of its relevance throughout Europe, the IMM Cologne will be the premiere for MDF Italia's new top products. Our expectations for this event are very high, especially because it's aimed at a market that's setting itself apart from the others with a strong upswing."