I love having kids that are a bit older (mine are 15 and 21 years old), but every now and then I see an item that makes me wish they were little again. At Ambiente, the world’s largest trade fair for consumer goods in Frankfurt, Germany, the Cupcake Corer & Decorating Set from Cuisipro got me wishing that the kids and I still baked treats together. They would both have loved this as kids! Admittedly, this product could have a name that is more memorable – or at least clever. Continue reading...

A company called Loveramics that I visited at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany was well worth the stop. A collection of pieces designed by Simon Stevens, called Er-Go!, came in a series of three great-looking Greens. This trio of Greens, used together, brought home dual messages. First, it reinforced the idea that after some time out of the spotlight, Greens are on the move once again. Second, it confirmed that the use of multiple types of one color family is growing. And Continue reading...

There are a few companies I always try to see when I am at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. One of them is Cosmique Global. This New Delhi-based textiles company does trend like few others. That’s because they not only know which looks are best for their categories of toss pillows and throws, but they also know how to make each trend their own. Case in point: plaids. These patterns are incoming on the bell curve for trend, and are forecasted to become a major influence for Continue reading...

At the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany last week, I noticed an emerging color and could not stop thinking about it. Now back home, I am reviewing my slides from the Christmas World show (also in Frankfurt, just a bit earlier in the year) and noticed that I made notes about the same color at that show, too. It's a Brown with so much Red in it that I called in Red Fox in my notes. This color is going on the watch list. Below is a picture of it that I took at the Christmas World Continue reading...

I have heard through my colleagues that lots of editors are not going to the European trade fairs in January and February. I’m going. In the face of a weak economy, I still believe that innovation is best way to attract consumer attention. I’m going to find what innovation I can. I will be writing a full trend report from each of the early year European fairs (Heimtextil, Maison & Objet, Christmas World, Ambiente). If you would like to pre-order one of them, just email Janice to let her Continue reading...

It is absolutely ridiculous to love entire categories of product, but I do anyway. I love upholstered chairs and portable lamps. I am attracted to anything made of glass and well designed, I have a real thing for vases and I adore tabletop products. The latter affection is why I always look forward to my first day at Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany. I spend that entire day looking at dinnerware, drinkware, serveware, a bit of flatware and accessories for the table. Today was my tabletop Continue reading...

At the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, form was once again a hot topic for the table. However, different from a year ago, shapes were not so much mixed in each place setting as they were mixed on the table. Rosenthal showed the look best. This company’s approach was more of a blending than a mix as they brought six different yet coordinating dinnerware patterns together in an À la Carte approach that inspired the collection’s name. Every place at a featured dining table Continue reading...