-By Sherry Hoffman

Four fairs were joined as one this year as Tendence, Collectione, The Design Annual and Outdoor Living trade fairs were held together at the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre under the umbrella name Decorate Life.

According to organizers at Messe Frankfurt, nearly 70,000 buyers came to check out exhibitors who gathered from all over the globe July 4-8 in Frankfurt, Germany. Decorate Life is the baby sister to Ambiente, one of the hottest and largest shows of the year and one where all the new home products are launched. Although smaller than Ambiente (February 13-17, 2009), Decorate Life filled most of the 322,000 square meters of the exhibit hall.

Trends
A few trends were noticed: sleek, understated elegance and simple designs incorporating form and function. From cups to calendars, the Tendence tabletop was all about simplicity. And what could be simpler than black and white, a staple of the latest in design.


The ERGO collection, designed by Raimonds Cirulis, is totally modern tableware characterized by fine design, solid colors and state-of-the-art ergonomics. The handmade stoneware cups are dishwasher- and microwave-safe, in black and white. They're stable, comfortable to hold and are sufficiently different to stand out among the "usual" mugs.

Another ERGO Cirulis design is a stained glass handmade vase that embodies a chic simplicity. Notice the ripples on the vase's base. For details, visit www.enter-living.com or e-mail info@enter-living.com.





A perfect example of the marriage of form and function lies within a set of six table rings in shiny stark white ceramic, and can be used as trivets, napkin rings, chopstick holders or stacked as a centerpiece.




A silver bud vase stands mysteriously in thin air on the tablecloth. It's mysterious, beautiful and striking. If one is good, six standing around the table are better. Only you know a magnet under the cloth holds it in place. For more information, contact Kara Orr at Kara@dcigift.com or visit www.dcigift.com.


Inspired by Google maps, the Topoware China collection consists of cups, plates, bowls, place mats and tablecloths. The setting explores the visual and social landscape of dining by using outlines and descriptions to enhance the eating journey while throwing in a touch of humor. Visit them at www.topoware.org.




Flames in a contained environment have always added a calming, almost hypnotic effect. Ponton's Wolf Udo Wagner has designed a magnificent tabletop fireplace that creates a stage for the fire and is based on the connection between nature and artifice. A fire-resistant glass cylinder that sits on a stainless steel base gives a 360º view of an adjustable flame, is safe for indoor and outdoor use, and comes in three sizes from tabletop to floor use. Fueled by bio-alcohol, it burns for two-and-a-half hours with very little CO2 emissions. The fireplace won the Design Plus Award in Frankfurt and the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum museum. For more information, visit www.pontonliving.eu.


And finally, as one who craves but rarely achieves organization, a dock box. Although not a new concept, there were a plethora of styles but all for the same purpose: to give plug-ins a place to gather. No cell phone charging here and PDA charging there. Best of all, the wires are hidden. Wall and table models available. The one pictured here is from Konstantin Slawinski. Another organizational product from this company is an erasable wallpaper calendar. Visit www.konstantinslawinski.com for more information.