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They’ve been described as ‘the Oscars of the design world’ and with big names from all design disciplines – from architecture to transport – the nominees list for Designs of the Year is one that everyone wants to be on.

As big fans of his work, we were delighted to discover that Stefan Diez is on the list. His design for Chassis echoes everything that we have loved in his previous collaborations with e15, Thonet and Gandia Blasco: abstract organic form, minimalism and refined furniture design.

We have everything crossed for him!

Amongst the nominees in the furniture category include an earthquake-proof table designed by Arthur Brutter and Ido Bruno, and the Lightwood chair conceived by British designer Jasper Morrison for Maruni.

An exhibition showcasing the works by all the nominees across each category is on at the Design Museum in London until 15th July, with the winner being announced in April.

For more information, click here.

imm Cologne 2012

January was a busy month in the design calendar this year, and with numerous exhibitions at home and abroad, we haven’t stood still in what feels like an age.

Cologne was buzzing with activity, with design hungry visitors seeking out the most exciting exhibitors at one of the world’s leading furnishing shows.

We loved the e15 showcase and the Philipp Mainzer tables in particular. The playful collection explored different combinations of material and shape juxtaposing steel against marble and presenting contrasting colours.

Germany’s largest bath and bathroom furniture manufacturer, Burgbad, also exhibited a fantastic range of luxurious pieces. Burgbad are long-term exhibitors at the show and 2012 was another successful year for them. They showcased a selection of high quality designs that, as always, made it onto every interior designer’s wish-list.

Dutch furniture brand Pastoe launched Shift, a new series of cabinets by Scholten & Baijings. Their translucent doors create an intriguing play of colours when the cabinet is open or closed.

The Stockholm Furniture Fair, part of Stockholm Design Week,  is a hot date in the design calendar. The world’s largest event for Scandinavian design took place last week and was a huge success.

Homeware, lighting and new furniture were on display across the week including some of our favourite new designs by legendary French designer, Inga Sempe, for Swedish lighting brand Wästberg.

Amongst the many hundreds of exhibitors were Ceramiche Refin, who took their METAL range of ceramic tiles to the festival. The designs come in gold, platinum and copper and form intricate patterns that play with lighting and concept as well as material.

Featuring at Stockholm last week were some of the most forward thinking and innovative designers and the fair did not disappoint in demonstrating the effectiveness of simplicity.

Did you know….

that the human eye can identify over 10 million different colours? No, neither did we until Ceramiche Refin launched their latest collection, Cromie.

Refin have used NCS – Natural Colour System ®© (a chromatic system which helps identify all these colours) and have integrated it within their tile range to brilliant effect. At the Surface Design Show, Refin exhibited their innovative Cromie tile collection together with a selection of the 30 colours that they have newly developed.

The Surface Design Show is the only exhibition in the UK that specialises in surface design and is a must-see for all interior designers, architects and specifiers. With an unmissable stand, it was unsurprising to see them catch the eyes of so many visitors.

The 2012 show gave us a chance to see new designs and trends from Mix, Gray Concrete, Graphic Relief (and their collaboration with Timorous Beasties), Pyrolave, and Little Greene to name just a few.

British design company Assemblyroom are launching new furniture at this year’s 100% Design. Working in both residential and contract furniture, Assemblyroom have built up a great reputation for quality  UK made furniture.

www.100percentdesign.co.uk

www.assemblyroom.co.uk

Registration is now live for 100% Design.  400 exhibitors over 4 days and thousands of launches. Sign up and see what will be happening 22-25 September at Earls Court. Great British design, international pavilions, seminars and installations.

www.100percentdesign.co.uk

Sheffield based design agency Peter & Paul have unveiled the new creative campaign for 100% Design.  The Head is a larger than life model filled with furniture, lighting and product designs from 100% Design.  See the Head at the show and in media across the globe over the next few months.

www.100percentdesign.co.uk

www.peterandpaul.co.uk

Shed Heaven

Viaduct is showing its latest furniture and lighting straight from Milan at Clerkenwell Design Week.  See the latest from Bensen, E15, Maruni and Montis in The Farmiloe Building’s Shed.

Last night saw the Institutes’s Summer party herald the dawning of a new age as its status was officially celebrated.  The interior design world was out in full with nearly three hundred guests mingling at The Saatchi Gallery to strains of live jazz. The Merit Award was presented to Mary Fox Linton by Alan Rickman for her outstanding contribution to the the interior design profession.

Industry Publicity’s passion for horticulture sees no sign of abating and culminated in a day trip to Regent’s Park’s Rose Garden.  Acres of scented roses filled the air, a magical garden pruned to an inch of its life.