It may be something to do with the infallible German efficiency but there's something quite refreshing about the straightforward business approach that the Cologne Furniture Fair (IMM Cologne) takes. There are a few nods towards putting on a cultural show: Informed By Cologne put together a very professional-looking trends exhibition not to mention an astutely chosen speakers list (ahem!); the young designers project (D3 Design Talents) pulled up a few winners; and the Dutch Design show in Hall 11 was certainly worthy of a visit. But all three were neatly tucked away to allow the full glare of the raw industry to shine through. This fair is about making deals and making money and it's not embarrassed to show it.

This openness to the crude commercial aspect of the fair isn't lost on manufacturers. 'Cologne is so important to us because it's the only place where you really get to talk to your dealers,' says Oliver Holy, CEO of Classicon. 'Milan is so stressful these days. Everyone's running around like headless chickens and you don't get a chance to actually sit down with anyone and discuss things.' And he's got a point. Cologne may not have the glitzy crowd of Paris's Maison & Objet or the party circuit of Milan's Salone but for those looking to get the work done, this is the place.

As a result, Cologne isn't perhaps the best place to launch a new collection. Instead it is a great place for tweaks - new colours, new sizes and new takes on existing collections is what you get here. Classicon added two new sizes and several more colours to it's Tritorn stool range, Pastoe extended its Vision range with a more economical, pared-down version and Royal Mosa launched an existing range of tiles with their brand new Moss Matt Collection - a new innovative glazing process that gives the same powder-matt appearance of unglazed floor tiles but is as resistant to being cleaned and constantly splashed with water as other glazed wall tiles.

That said, I made some great discoveries at Colgone. Defne Koz, the Turkish designers, showed some beautiful prototypes for a knife set called 'Barbarian Cut' and Morgen Studio launched a fun set of drawers.

For a full round-up you will have to wait for the fair report in the April issue as will you have to wait to see the review of the absolute highlight my trip - Johanna Grawunder's collection at the Gabrielle Ammann gallery. Inspired by the lyrics of one of today's great poets Justin Timberlake, the exhibition, which consisted of three new pieces (a writing desk, lighting concept and mirror with drawers) was called 'I'm bringing sexy back'. And in this small gallery just off from the city centre, Grawunder certainly does just that - the Koelnmesse wouldn't go too far wrong taking a few pointers.