Cologne Furniture Fair: the junction for function.

If location, location, location is the motto of real estate, then function, function, function, is the mantra for new designs exhibited at the Cologne International Furniture Fair.

As if being beautiful wasn't enough, the pieces shown at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne, Germany, had to be smart as well. The show, which took place Jan. 18-24, drew a record 123,000 visitors from 101 countries to its 825,000 feet of exhibit space. Vying for attention among 1,644 suppliers from 45 countries, the pieces that stood out provided more than just good looks.

Furniture is being asked to be more versatile. Punt mobler displayed a piece that can transform a lounge into a bedroom and a bedroom into a lounge. As a sofa, the piece offers armrests that can be coffee tables. As a bed, the piece offers a headboard and two bedside tables. The Eastern-inspired piece is easily foldable, taking up little space.

The trend continued into upholstered furniture as well. Storage is included in Rolf Benz's 3200 sofa which is completed by a narrow shelf in the back, in maple or walnut veneer. The sofa can be further supplemented by a headrest, plugged in between the sofa back and the cushion. This support is ergonomically fitted to the head and contains two loudspeakers.

Tables with sophisticated mechanisms worked miracles of transformation as well. In the dining room they were extended to accommodate a very large family. Functionality was either discreetly concealed right up to the electric lift for height adjustability or demonstratively included in the design, such as in the Globo table by Moltenini & Co.

Wall units displayed at Cologne were also transformed, offering more than just storage. With space at a premium, partial panels, wall-mounted cupboards, slender supports, pedestals and low-level seating can be installed in the wall units. Sliding doors become windows in front of shelves, cleverly "picture-framing" the cabinet space as seen in the Klenk collection. In addition, Potter's cando showed lightweight, modular pieces that can be easily rearranged, adapting to today's nomadic lifestyle.

Spaciousness and ease were key for both built-in and flee-standing entertainment units, as well. Discreet back-lighting and frosted glass or metal doors predominated. Versatility in storage options was also illustrated.

Lighter Woods Still Lead, Dark Tones Offer Contrast

At the Cologne Fair, bright woods were the unmistakable favorites in the living room and bedroom sectors as maple, beech, birch and oak prevailed. An intriguing use of birch plywood was displayed by Fagun, a Finnish furniture manufacturer that uses robotic and hand carving to create unusual pieces. Designer Kaj Fagerroos incorporates both ergonomics and functionality in his custom work.

Increasingly, however, contrasts are being set with warm walnut, and cherry remains dominant in high-quality classic collections such as Selva's Louis-Philippe collection, which also incorporates red alder. This series also demonstrates the "Salon" style, which combines the flair of old grand hotels, spacious lobbies and exclusive private clubs. Warmer wood tones were seen in more contemporary furniture, such as in Gloria de Palleja's Harrison chest of drawers.

Darker tones have the same effect as tropical mahogany, macasser or wenge, giving added effect to gold-plated and browned surfaces, metal-coated and varnished ones, chrome, aluminum or brass. These striking combinations were seen in more contemporary furniture; such as Giorgetti's series of tables designed by Chi Wing Lo.