Guangzhou, China 28.-31. 03. 2024

#interzum guangzhou

Individuality and authenticity remain on trend

Authentic stays on trend

There's no substitute for the real thing. Affirming this truth and turning pieces of wood into unmistakable and unique items sometimes means digging deep into the creative box of tricks. Mehling & Wiesmann's truffled beechwood veneers, for instance, cannot be produced in large quantities because the process is invariably long and arduous, involving a variety of different fungal treatments, to produce the pronounced grain with its intentional discolourations for an almost marbled, absolutely unique quality. Customisable products are also of interest here, as in the automobile industry, playing an increasingly important role not only for surfaces but also for the actual furniture systems. The Hox (woodbox) drawer system, for instance, is a hybrid box with fronts affixed with a clip, and lateral elements which can be selected from a variety of materials and styles, some of which can be exclusively reserved.


Multi-sensuality for surfaces

Manufacturers and furniture designers are currently under the spell of materials which possess a particularly enhanced sensual quality. And surfaces are no longer simply customisable, but also anti-bacterial, smudge-resistant, semi-transparent and haptically - as desired - particularly smooth or rough, show traces of cladding and casting holes (stoneslikestones), gleam in matt and glossy shimmering ornamentation (Schattdekor), have sound-proofing properties or look exactly like glass, only more stable (polymere glass laminate RAUVISIO crystal slim by Rehau). And the next generation of surfaces even comes with fragrances: decorative slats and acoustic panels are created by compressing coffee beans, vanilla pods, lavender or hay flowers, giving rooms their own individual atmosphere (Organoid).


"Fully" (equipped) furniture": with lighting-sound and comfort suspension

Lighting is yet another element for the multi-sensory appointing of rooms and furniture currently of interest to suppliers and designers. As an integral design feature in furniture, it provides them with another dimension. The popular contrast effect of black and white is particularly effective for lighting furniture, a version of which is available in Gera's current line in lighted shelve designs in black-brown anodised aluminium. Thanks to the versatility of LEDs, the furnishing industry can now avail of surprisingly versatile system solutions, for case furniture in particular, but also for more general room lighting. The modular LED system Loox (Häfele), with its wide range of different fitted lighting and lights for the underside of furniture, switches, control systems and interfaces with sound systems, provides lots of nw options for the unrestricted integration of lighting in different areas and colours. Technical features are becoming integral to furniture, regardless of whether it is in the living room or bedroom, kitchen or bathroom. These also include clever connection systems like the invisible horizontal connector Roto (Effegi Brevetti) and the self-clamping, invisible shelf-support Divario P-18 (Lamello), innovative, mechanical solutions like the Wall-Away Chelan functional fitting (Kintec Solution) to be positioned near the wall which functions without visible scissor mechanism and the Cube stand-assist mechanism from Innotec Motion.


Changing colour and surfaces stimulates furniture and living environments

"Of course, wooden surfaces and a wood-based feel still dominate the high-end case furniture and kitchen furniture segments but we are seeing a greater acceptance of colour play in terms of creative "Mix and Match" options", says colour expert Dr Hildegard Kalthegener on the influence of surface trends on furniture design. Switching up the surface on a large piece of furniture or between the furniture and the wall creates a new dynamism for the private living sphere. Limed oak is paired with a deep, sober grey with a blueish tone, or Italian walnut with a subtle, smoky light blue. Cool turquoise tones with aquamarine, petrol and opal are also popular, particularly trendy when paired with warm woods for a complimentary contrast." Surfaces and materials represent exclusivity in smooth looks.


Overall, interzum confirmed the noticeable trend in furniture design that exclusivity is no longer so much defined by shape but rather by the particular quality of the material used. We are seeing extremely smooth as well as deliberately rough and highly structured surfaces for furniture, surfaces defined by their very essence, by their uninterrupted surfaces. Also representing this clean look of exclusive furniture design were handle-free open and shutting systems which allow drawers, cupboards and even sliding doors (Komandor) to be opened elegantly and easily, thanks to easy running and shock absorber systems as well as mechanical or electronic opening assists (like Nova Pro Scala by Grass and Blum's Tip-On-Blumotion). Manufacturers like Resopal and Niemann (with crystal glass surface technology Zero Edge) emphasise a virtually seamless appearance.


[Reprinted from interzum event news.]




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About the Organizers


Koelnmesse

As a world-renowned trade fair organizer, Koelnmesse has an excellent track record for organizing some of the world’s most successful trade events, such as the accomplished interzum and imm in Cologne, Germany and furniPRO ASIA in Singapore. With 90 years’ experience in organizing large-scale commercial events connecting buyers and sellers, Koelnmesse brings forth an unrivaled skill-set and expertise needed to develop CIFM / interzum guangzhou into the premier international furniture production trade show in Asia.

www.koelnmesse.com.

China Foreign Trade Centre (Group)

The China Foreign Trade Centre (Group) is a highly qualified and experienced exhibition company. For more than 50 years, it has been organizing the China Import and Export Fair (also known as the Canton Fair), the largest trade fair in China. It is also the organizer of CIFF (China International Furniture Fair (Guangzhou), Asia’s biggest furniture trade fair.


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