The future is bright in Frankfurt

Frankfurt was sunny and Ambiente was packed. Nearly 150,000 visitors from 138 countries attended the world's largest home-oriented trade fair last month.

The show has a high approval rating (95%) and it is easy to see why. Despite having more than 4,500 exhibitors on hand, the Messe Frankfurt venue was organized and easy to work.

Materials modern and natural carried the day. The trend toward handmade forms was balanced by the use of sophisticated colorways. The palest blues and greens brought a hint of the modern to warm neutrals and grays, while wood was roughly finished, if at all, and often pickled or silvered. Soft goods left minimalism behind with complex construction and intricate needlework illustrations that took inspiration from mid-century European design.

There were two approaches to the broad trends apparent at the show.

The first was a calculated wabi-sabi: Rough wood accent pieces, perfectly imperfect ceramics and glassware, and the broad use of sustainable plant fibers such as rattan and bamboo to construct everything from chairs to planters.

The second was an earthy modernism — think fine china made of terra cotta. Other highlights were soft goods with architectural details, candles finished with laser-precise designs and delicate twig and paper furniture made of synthetic fibers for use outdoors.

While minimalist design has long been embraced by some and often only available at the high end, the less-is-more approach was apparent in many of the consumer products available at the show. The materials making up this look were basic: modern ceramics, glass, silver-colored metals and an assortment of synthetics. Products such as a glass and stainless steel bio-ethanol fireplace elevated the cozy fire to high art, and LED lamps so small they almost disappear when turned off, suggested a bright and uncluttered future.

Some of the most interesting products were offered by the young designers in the Talents section. Since 2001, Messe Frankfurt has offered young designers the chance to exhibit for free to help kick start their careers. An inflatable lamp, Jungle chair and a piece of paper you can fold into a broom offered a hint of what may be to come.

Form announces function in these playful vases by +D.

The limited edition Joe Lemon from Vincent Sheppard squeezes a bit of humor into a modern classic.

The laser-fine designs carved into these candles by Cerabella brings the beauty of fine ceramics to wax.

Bio-ethanol products are hot and Radius' Wall Flame fireplace takes the mess out of the hearth.

Franz Muller combines manmade and natural materials in its Artificial Objects Collection to create pieces that are delicate looking but tough.

Scale and finish bring an unexpected elegance to humble terra cotta; these frostproof pots are from Terra Cotta D'Arte.

 
Architectural form and fine detail combine in the Windblades and Leaf collections from Anek Taanka

The inflatable “shade” of Airlines 3 turns a simple flourescent tube into high art, from Amalgamm.

Earth is a perfectly imperfect stoneware collection from D&M Depot.

A study in contrasting materials, the Jungle chair is from Open Studio (wild beast not included.)

Icecloth from Candlearts seems to freeze a moment in time.

Minimal and flexible, the Shiraz sofa system from E15 won the prestigious Silver Design Award from the German Design Council this year.

This modular trellis seems to cascade between the vines it supports; Grow No.55 is zinc plated sheet metal from Flora.