It is said that exhibitors come to Cologne to sell their wares. Innovations have to wait till Milan in April. Even so, for people with a good eye, there were new things to discover and trends to discern, which this year were supplemented in the lighting sphere by the Lamp Centre. As far as materials were concerned, there continues to be any amount of frosted glass, aluminium and stainless steel, but the Fair is becoming more colourful again, and with more space for unconventional ideas. Oak as a timber, with all its burden of tradition, is enjoying a real comeback, turning up not only in its natural colour, but light and dark as well, not to mention stained an anthracite grey. Maple, too, and dark woods such as walnut, are still very much in evidence. As regards textiles, the look is being laid down by felt of every kind and colour, along with coarse natural fibres. As for colours, two-colour contrasts in particular are the order of the day, whether pale and dark, various greys combined with a violent splash of colour and modish colours such as olive green, orange and aubergine. White and pale natural hues are still around in large quantities, as are of course classics like black and red. The innovations in detail can be explored on a virtual tour of the following pages.