Ambiente

Last month, I attended the Ambiente consumer goods fair at Messe Frankfurt, the world's third-largest trade fair, in Frankfurt. While the primary point of my trip was to discover trends and see the new collections from international decor brands, I couldn't help but find design inspiration along the way. One of the funnest parts of the experience was seeing how all of the exhibitors styled their booths. Whether the designers crammed lots of product into a space or put only a few pieces on display, the new collections were all showcased in engaging, eye-catching fashion. Some of the styling techniques were too wild to take out of the booth, but there were plenty that I'd love to try out in my home.

Come along and steal interior styling ideas from Ambiente's exhibitors!

In addition to cloud-like lamps, one of the other big lighting trends I saw at Messe Frankfurt's Ambiente design fair this month was hanging bulbs. With handsome porcelain fittings and frosted glass bulbs, the modern light fixture strips down to bare bones, omitting a lampshade altogether. I spotted this trendy new lighting style throughout the fair from a range of international designers. Here are a few that stood out the most to me!

Two weeks ago, I visited the international consumer goods fair Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany, courtesy of Messe Frankfurt. With more than 4,300 exhibitors from across the globe, the fair is the place to discover what's new for interiors, decoration, outdoor living, kitchen, tabletop, storage, and more. It's also the place to be discovered. Every year, Messe Frankfurt invites a handful of international design newcomers who are up and coming in the design world to make their first-ever presentations to the global audience of trade visitors and buyers. The young designers are given a small exhibition stand free of charge and a forum to market their ideas, prototypes, and first small product series. This year, there were 34 newcomers in all. Come along and meet three of my favorites!

After spending a weekend at Frankfurt's Ambiente consumer goods fair, courtesy of Messe Frankfurt, it seems to me that the design world is floating on a cloud. Arturo Alvarez did it first with his Nevo collection, and now designers worldwide are creating cloud-like light fixtures that create an ethereal, heavenly feel. From puffy, mashed-potato-shaped paper forms to plastic, marshmallow-like pendants, designers are putting their own spin on the style. It's a trend that doesn't seem to be going anywhere . . . it's just floating slowly by. Come along to cloud nine!

Two weeks ago Messe Frankfurt, one of the world's largest trade fair companies, invited me to visit Ambiente, its annual international consumer goods fair. I discovered dozens of new designers and trends there, but one brand that I'm already familiar with that I was excited to see in person was Ferm Living. The Danish company made a name for itself with wallpaper but has branched into textiles and accessories, as well. Some of Ferm's new products I'd seen online, but they are 10 times lovelier in person. Others haven't made their way to the States yet, so I was pleased to see them for the first time. Come along and check out nine of my favorites!