Favorite Things at Design Post in Cologne
Hello friends! I’m back from imm Cologne and am so inspired by the panel of social media experts that I worked with while there that I can honestly say that NOW I have my blogging mojo back! I’m ready to take on the world again! I got the exact dose of energy that I needed at the perfect time so now I’m energized! I’m ready! Holly is BACK for 2013 and it feels great.
SO! Let me show you some things that I discovered while in Cologne for my very brief trip. A little hint is above… But you will need to keep reading to discover who lives in this lovely home. While at imm yesterday, my friend Steffi and I ran over to Design Post, a gorgeous permanent design (furniture & accessories) showroom located on the fairgrounds, for about 15 minutes per her suggestion. In that short amount of time I gathered a ton of inspiration (and a few really nice catalogs). Would you like to see some things that really stood out for me, including one product that made its debut yesterday at imm cologne?
While wondering the floor, I snapped these pics on my iPhone and shared them with my Instagram followers as I went along. You may be inspired by some of these bright and happy wall colors shown in my snaps because I sure was as I went about snappin’ and grabbin’ brochures and postcards as I went. I was in such a hurry that I had no time to chat with really anyone on the showroom floor but I did my best to capture as much inspiration in a short period of time as I could. I was on an inspiration mission, man.
I found brands that really stood out for me: Agape bathtubs, Moroso sofas and chairs, Hellen van Berkel pillows and poufs for Gelderland, and the debit of, “Ready Made Curtains”, DIY curtains designed for Kvadrat by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. I also loved “The Rits” sofa designed by Bertjan Pot for Gelderland (you can see it in the first image in beige against the blue wall.)
First, let’s talk about sofas. Ahhhh, sofas. I have such an addiction to them. I could own a new one each year but that would be a bit expensive and materialistic of me. At Design Post, I was able to experience the wonderful world of Moroso sofas live and in person. I’ve seen the Redondo in photos online but a Pinterest pic has nothing next to the real thing – I couldn’t take my eyes away from the ravishing Redondo (in dove gray) designed by the amazing Patricia Urquiola. Can you see why?
Next, I really loved seeing (and touching!) the Ready Made Curtains designed by the Bouroullec brothers for Kvadrat. They came up with a clever solution to a common problem so many of us have fitting store bought curtains to windows of odd sizes (especially the case with older homes). Their curtains can be cut to length and when combined with simple wooden pegs and a “curtain rod” cord kit, you can install your own custom curtain and custom rod in a few hours. I googled to learn more about this system and found loads of info along with some great photos on Design Boom so click here for that – super cool!
A company I discovered for the first time at Design Post is Italian brand Agape and their gorgeous bathrooms. I also met their brand manager, she ended up coming to my lecture, so that was a nice bonus. My goodness, their bathtubs left a mark on my heart. They were all simply gorgeous – works of art that are also functional and very spa-like. I imagined sinking into them and felt all dreamy inside. Ahhhh. Now all I can dream about is owning one!
A new textile designer was also discovered as I shopped around, Dutch textile designer, Hellen van Berkel. Irene from Bloesem ran a gorgeous interview with that you definitely must check out HERE complete with a home tour – a few glimpses are seen above and the image at the very top of this post is from Hellen’s lovely home!
What a great time I had in only 15 minutes and I discovered so many new things to inspire me. You only need a short period of time, an iPhone and determination to find something that catches your eye and before you know it, you will begin spotting all sorts of things if you go to a source that has things you suspect you’ll like.
Have a nice day everyone! Oh and if you want to see an interview that imm had with me you can look at this YouTube video for a 100 second chat with me about social media. (update: the link seems to be down, when imm replies to my tweet, I’ll let you know the new link!)
(images linked to their sources above.)
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January 15th, 2013 at 9:18pm
that curtain wire is amazing Thanks for pointing it out!
Desiree´s last [type] ..Tine K Spring-Summer collection
January 15th, 2013 at 9:46pm
I am no longer a simple colour palette sort of girl. Bring on the bold. Bring on the colourful. The patterns at imm totally slayed me! Loved it and love your choices! That Agape bathtub is my dream :)
p.s.You were amazing at imm panel Holly! Lots of cuddles from me to you! Just posted a few pics. I only took like 10 photos due to a dying battery. Womp Womp. x
Rincy K´s last [type] ..We are social
January 15th, 2013 at 10:30pm
wow…a well trained eye can accomplish and share quite a bit in 15 minutes! I love those tubs…especially the one that sort of reminds me of a wash tub, only extra long…which is perfect for a good long soak. The sofas are pretty great too!
l o v e l y t h i n g s´s last [type] ..Glassybaby love
January 15th, 2013 at 10:33pm
The bathtub it’s so great! Goes direct on the wishlist for our new home!
xo Yvonne
Yvonne´s last [type] ..Von Treppen und Schuhschränken
January 15th, 2013 at 10:41pm
I love how much you saw in such a short amount of time. What a great mix of inspiration!
January 15th, 2013 at 10:57pm
It’s all gorgeous!!! I must say that my favourite is the idea of mixing and matching rugs in the the same room.
Margarida´s last [type] ..Think pink and…
January 16th, 2013 at 12:19am
I’m totally with you on sofa love – though mine is more “chair love”. I have a house full of treasures collected, inherited and designed by me. Just had to sell a few to make room for more!
I could def find space for the Redondo armchair in grey though….sigh.
January 16th, 2013 at 12:28am
Loving those teal walls… I think I’ve run out of walls to paint in bold colours though :p
Nat @ Dear Little House´s last [type] ..The bathroom is going in!
January 16th, 2013 at 12:31am
I loved the beautiful patterns! And Moroso! Yes, I’m a big fan!
Thank you for all the inspiration!
Have a nice week!
Rosa Paula´s last [type] ..Embalagem delicada em tecido
January 16th, 2013 at 1:28am
Oh I’m so jealous! I wish I had been there too. I am realizing I need to plan a trip away from the land of rattan tropical print condo furniture and attend a design tradeshow sometime (I think Dwell’s event in LA is the closest to me).
Thank you for sharing on Decor8 as I’ve been a bit absent on IG of late.
Lovely picks.
Tania´s last [type] ..Obsessed with Gilt…Workspace
January 16th, 2013 at 1:43am
Love that sofa! Love that tub! Thanks for sharing – some great inspiration!
January 16th, 2013 at 1:58am
Totally agree that a visit to an inspiring place can shift so much energy. Love all the beautiful patterns in these spaces! Thanks for sharing all the beauty you find in your adventures.
Marjory´s last [type] ..Plants dance with the secret language of flow
January 16th, 2013 at 3:27am
Sounds like a fun & inspiring weekend…and I really want one of Hellen van Berkel’s lovely little cushions or poufs, they’re adorable! xo Laura
Laura Gaskill´s last [type] ..A Charmed Life in Brooklyn {Miranda Brooks}
January 16th, 2013 at 4:26am
I’m loving the Agape baths! That’s exactly what we need for our bathroom.
Lynda @HomeleaLass´s last [type] ..New Year, New Start, Fresh Start – every Saturday
January 16th, 2013 at 10:44am
Thank you Holly for sharing. Amazing what you can accomplish in 15min!
I REALLY love the bathtub and the curtains are fantastic since finding that curtains (an the system to hang them) are so often overlooked.
Kathrin from Happy Home´s last [type] ..Ist das Kunst oder kann das weg?
January 16th, 2013 at 12:19pm
i’m totally in love with helen’s pot by klaas gubbel on her wall… wish to own one some day. for now a postcard has to be enough …
rike
rike´s last [type] ..■ new flatmates
January 16th, 2013 at 12:47pm
Welcome back.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..My top ten ways to make sisterhood friends
January 16th, 2013 at 2:50pm
Love it all, what a great colours and materials! Very inspiring :-)!
January 16th, 2013 at 3:13pm
Wow – that quilted couch looks amazing! Probably not very kid friendly (unfortunately for me) but lovely just the same. :)
Tabitha (From Single to Married)´s last [type] ..Is it March Yet?
January 16th, 2013 at 3:14pm
that bathtub is fabulous!
Molly {Dreams in HD}´s last [type] ..Words to Live By
January 16th, 2013 at 7:18pm
Wow, looks really amazing! Last time I went there was in 2006 and it wasn’t nearly as inspirational. Next year I must give it another try ;-)
Nathalie -worldly treasury-´s last [type] ..Next destination: Rome!
January 17th, 2013 at 1:29am
Hi Hollywood, THX for the nice post and photo’s ! My iPhone didn’t work well. So I have nog pictures. Loved designpost the most! And your 8 tips and all the information @wearesocial :-) THX à lot! I posted it in my blog. Also your interview. I hope to meet you again some day! Had to leave before the Q&A …
Iris´s last [type] ..IMM Cologne 2013 | We Are Social | Holly Becker | Decor8
January 17th, 2013 at 9:47am
Wow wonderful
Franny´s last [type] ..Die fabelhafte Welt der Amanda Mocci
January 17th, 2013 at 12:12pm
Those Ready Made Curtains by the Bouroullec brothers are amazing! Thanks for sharing, Holly!
Judith´s last [type] ..A tiny winter harvest
January 19th, 2013 at 12:29pm
everything is so pretty! i love your blog :)
visit mine! and give some tips to a newbie if you can! thanks
Julia´s last [type] ..Brabbu an Maison & Objet 2013
January 20th, 2013 at 9:44am
great post. I tried to get to the imm today, but have been beaten by this terrible weather. Too risky. I hope to get there next year, and maybe on a trade day if I can get my Interiors business off the ground this year.