Imm Cologne Show Stunners: 9 Artful Shelf and Storage Designs
Organizing is a joy with these latest offerings in bookcases and storage systems from the imm Cologne show
Holly Marder
January 18, 2013
While browsing the Koelnmesse exhibition hall at imm Cologne, I was finding it hard not to pay attention to the diverse creative shelving solutions. Now in its eighth year, the prominent furnishing and interior design trade show features hundreds of exhibitors that introduce their latest products to the world. From those that artfully lean to ones that have clever repeated shapes, these eye-catching shelving and display units make finding a place for everything at home a real cinch.
The luxury Italian brand Arketipo Firenze exhibited a stunning range of vibrant contemporary furnishings this year. This striking book shelving unit, Target, looked right at home on the exbibition floor in its classic surroundings.
The MDF structure, designed by Nendo, uses small crosses to form a support network for books.
The MDF structure, designed by Nendo, uses small crosses to form a support network for books.
With its simplistic shape, clean lines and warm wooden aesthetic, the versatile shelving piece can be incorporated in almost any interior setting and can serve as a room divider. Vibrant tangerine and soft taupe edges add a dash of color.
This geometric design by Nendo for Arketipo, aptly named Cube, features small slits on the sides for stowing books and magazines. It also works as a uniquely sculptural end table to contrast a chesterfield sofa.
Porada prides itself on combining technological processes with artisan traditions, and this unit shows off both.
This is another shelving display at the Porada booth, First, designed by Gino Carollo.
This fuss-free product features inset boxes for books, magazines and accessories. The robust design is made with smooth canaletto walnut and a laminated stainless steel base.
This fuss-free product features inset boxes for books, magazines and accessories. The robust design is made with smooth canaletto walnut and a laminated stainless steel base.
Part of Porada's brand-new collection, Milo, designed by Maurizio Marconato and Terry Zappa, this is another gorgeous canaletto walnut shelving system. The configuration possibilities are endless with these pieces.
At Cattelan Italia, I came across this interesting steel bookcase by Reverso Design. The slender structure features small, round platforms as shelves. Called DNA, the product reminds me of 'Emerald Falls', a plant cultivar that can be grown to hang in long strands, with small, round and succulent leaves surrounding the stem. What's interesting is that the resting elements are placed in such a way here that when the piece is filled with books, it has a spiral appearance.
Modular furniture was a big trend at imm Cologne this year, so it was no surprise to see that Cattelan Italia featured its floor-to-ceiling MDF modular shelving system Wally. This versatile piece, designed by Philip Jackson, comes in several sizes and formats.
Italian contemporary design firm Skistch exhibited Squilibri, a decidedly modern range of shelving units designed by Philippe Nigro. Available in several sizes, the modular design is crafted from powder-coated iron to give it a streamlined aesthetic. The irregular angles add a quirky twist to the common bookshelf shape.
Did you go to imm Cologne this year? Share a photo or let us know what caught your eye in the Comments below!
Did you go to imm Cologne this year? Share a photo or let us know what caught your eye in the Comments below!
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Love the visual effect of the shelf. Great work!
great work! Here is another idea of artistic shelving
https://www.houzz.com/projects/2607806/shelf-bracket-shelving-floating-shelves
Some of these are a bit too busy for me but still beautiful.