Blue is the hue at Interzum '99.

Strong blue colors, light wood tones and gray metal finishes were the style trends spotted at this year's furniture and cabinet supplies show in Cologne, Germany.

Walking through the halls that showcased hardware and decorative overlays at Interzum '99 - a biennial trade show for furniture and cabinet supplies held in Cologne, Germany, in May - it was hard not to spot the latest style trends. From booth to booth, there was almost universal concurrence about what is. hot in colors and woodgrains among producers of decorative overlays, as well as what is popular in metal finishes among decorative hardware manufacturers.

When it comes to overlay colors, from an infinite spectrum of choices there was one favorite shown virtually everywhere - a strong, deep blue. With little fanfare, the same brighter-than-navy but darker-than-marine blue not only appeared as the dominant color among overlay manufacturers' new palettes, but also was used frequently as a color in exhibitors' booths.

What made this blue stand out even more as this year's hot hue was the drop in the use of solid colors in general for laminates. Producers of decorative overlays or the papers used to make laminates offered a limited amount of choices in solid colors. Also on a decline this year were patterns. Where the past two Interzums saw an abundance of patterns ranging from popular terrazzo, granite and stone looks to "recycled paper" designs and strong, abstract shapes, this year there were far fewer patterns shown. Stone looks were relegated more to flooring applications. The few patterns offered were more subtle, less abstract and done in muted colors.

The most distinctive pattern emerging at this Interzum was termed an "industrial" design. This consists of grayish, metal looks, some mimicking the grid of a metal truck bed or industrial flooring. Here, too, the patterns were subdued and the finishes were matte versus shiny. Marcel Albert, design/marketing manager for Interprint Inc., says that metal looks are already becoming popular in the United States, especially for store fixtures. He adds that at Interprint, pearlescent finishes on the metal looks also are increasing in popularity.

Whatever slack was left by a drop in the number of patterns and colors offered was taken up by woodgrains, which were seen in abundance. Continuing a trend of previous years, light-colored woods and finishes prevailed, with more choices than ever. Beech, maple and birch in natural finishes, plus "blond" oaks and cherries with warm tones were everywhere. Like the new blue, the light woodgrains not only were on display as sample boards, but many exhibitors used them for their own booth decor as well.

Standing out from the crowd of light-colored woodgrains was one dark exception to the trend - a chocolate brown finish or "wenge" color. A few overlay producers mentioned this brown as an up-and-comer for use in furniture.

"There is a 'modern classical' look emerging, featuring a chocolate brown on modern-style furniture," said Tom Drazen, manager of American sales for Schattdecor. He added that a few of the blond woods are getting a brownish tint to coordinate with the wenge brown.

And while light woodgrains dominated the show floor, most producers of overlay products mentioned that in actual applications, they are being combined with accents of metal, dark woods or solid color laminates. A combination of materials continues to be a popular look in both residential and commercial settings.

The combination of metal and wood was also a popular look in decorative hardware being shown at the 1999 Interzum, a trend which was evident two years ago but really dominated this year.

Light woods were combined with brushed, matte gray metals, such as stainless steel, pewter and nickel. There also were several all-wood styles in knobs and pulls. All-metal styles were almost all the gray metals, with very little bronze or gold tones.

As a subtle difference in the gray metals, there is an increase in nickel versus stainless steel because it provides a softer look. "It's the 'growth finish' right now," said John Kennedy, who is in charge of the Fennel product line in the United States for Peter Meier Inc.

In terms of functional hardware, hinges are being further refined. The trend continues to "tool-less" installation, with new features being added to strengthen the hinges' hold and provide maximum stability.

In drawer hardware, the full-extension feature continues to be added to virtually every slide and system. Full-extension was even available on systems for new "big" drawers being offered by many manufacturers. These extra-wide, extra-deep drawers are designed to handle loads up to 50 kg (110.23 lb) to accommodate large, heavy canned goods in a kitchen, or to provide added storage space by allowing for a shallow insert tray to be placed inside the deep drawer.

This year's Interzum featured 1,748 suppliers from 55 countries, including manufacturers of hardware, decorative surfaces and veneers, flooring, upholstery coverings and upholstery accessories and machines. Attendance was around 60,000, representing nations throughout the world.

New products at Interzum '99

Following are a few of the new products showcased at Interzum '99. Some products were prototypes, while others are available for the U.S. market.

Overlay materials

Forbo-CP relaunched an expanded stock range in its Cova Press 3-D forming veneer which is applied to routed door components using membrane-less pressing technology. The new looks include Calgary A, honey-toned planked birch; Calvados A, B and C, a wild apple design in light, natural and cherry colors', Strichlack, a brushed lemon paint effect, and Richmond, a cathedral cherry in a rich, deep brown color.

Several shades of cherry were shown by Interprint, a printer of saturating-grade decorative papers used to create laminate surfaces. The cherries range from the traditional dark-red stained look through to light, natural shades.

Kurz-Hastings introduced three new decorative finishes to its line of Touchwood products, giving manufacturers more options than ever for coordinating the designs of their products. Touchwood Superior and Touchwood Ultra expand Kurz's Touchwood Performance Series of heat transfer foils that offer abrasion resistance and durability. Touchwrap laminate, meanwhile, can be used for profile wrapping and flat laminating applications. It is a non-PVC film with no heavy metals, making it environmentally friendly, the company says.

Michael Phillips, president of Linnemann USA, says that ABS edge-banding is very popular in Europe because it is environmentally friendly. In the United States, Linnemann offers Thermolin ABS in thicknesses ranging from 1mm to 3mm and in widths from 19mm to 45mm. It can be supplied in solid colors, woodgrains, speckled designs and transfer foils. There also is Thermolin ABS Thin in a 0.5mm thickness.

Wilsonart International showed its solid surfacing materials, including the prototype for a new 1.2mm-thick solid surfacing product. Suitable for vertical and horizontal applications, Wilsonart says the new material is unique in that it can be postformed and, potentially, can be vacuum-formed in compound bends. The company adds that initially, it will fabricate components suitable to end-users' requirements.

Functional hardware

Alfit AG introduced the Integra-Top drawer system, featuring a "Clip-On" front mounting in connection with the "Tec Set" steel drawer back system. Integra-Top offers tool-and screw-free drawer assembly. The system is available in four heights and in lengths ranging from 275mm to 550mm. It comes as a single- or full-extension runner. Alfit products are offered in the United States by Mepla-Alfit Inc.

Julius Blum introduced its Clip hinge for tool-free mounting in 1985 and unveiled a new generation Clip top at Interzum. It features an opening angle of 107 [degrees] of 120 [degrees]. Cam adjustment integrated in the hinge arm allows for adjustments in depth with the turn of a screw. An eccentric screw integrated in the mounting plate provides height adjustment. An additional safety pin was added to enhance safety, Blum says.

FGV showed its tool-less "Zip" hinge fixing system, which was introduced at SASMIL in 1998. It is designed for manufacturers of KD furniture. Assembly is accomplished by pressing two buttons; removal is done by applying leverage beneath the snaps. The Zip system also is applied to front and back side attachments of FGV metal drawers.