Tabletop products take up a lot of the visual field at Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany. But there are lots of other products, too. For example, pots and pans make up an important category that is in transition. One major shift, of course, is the eco trend. Makers are offering everything from water-based ceramic coatings to layered-mineral coatings that require very little energy in production. Color is also changing the look. Pots and pans … [Read more...]

I love clever new product responses to simple needs. Like using loose tea leaves. My favorite tea infuser right now is called The Teastick, from Gamila Company. They designed the most elegant solution for loose tea that I have ever seen. And it’s made of BPA free material. I use a Blue version from the Gems collection at home, but I gave both Blue and Red versions to every one of my sisters for Christmas (all 6 of them are also tea … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

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, … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]