We remember very clearly the first time we saw the work of Berlin design studio llot llov: it was at Designers Fair Cologne 2010, back in the day when the exhibition was held in the fading glory of the so-called Rheintriadem. Walking down a corridor, invariably trying to decide what we wanted for lunch, we glanced, more or less unconsciously, into one of the rooms and there hanging in the corner, radiating an unmistakable self-confident grandeur, was the macramé "flower cocoon" Lucille.
Resembling a trawling net and unashamedly brash Lucille isn't just a hanging basket but much more is a domestic hanging garden concept which allows you to create your own herbaceous installation and so add an extra layer of character to any space.
There were other objects in the room, but we only had eyes for Lucille - much as that sounds like something which could only happen to Kenny Rodgers in a bar in Toledo.
The same year llot llov's equally endearing, if much more reserved, knitted lamps Ray and Matt were presented in a very nice installation at a furniture gallery in Cologne city, an installation we visited a couple of times.
And since then we've been keen followers of llot llov and their work.
We're not going to claim to be fans of everything llot llov do, far from it; however, aside from very much liking the vast majority of their work, over the years we've come to appreciate the very honest and uncomplicated approach llot llov take to their work and the playful practicality of the objects that result, and also the way they have slowly yet steadily developed their studio.
A development which means that five years after first seeing them in the neoclassical ruin that was the Rheintriadem we could enjoy their latest project "Osis" in the more industrial, and much less classical, splendour of Cologne Trade Fair Hall 1.
In essence Osis arose from the realisation that salt absorbs water.
And as such also absorbs water based wood stain.
Making use of this principle llot llov sprinkle salt onto still moist, freshly stained wood and let it absorb the stain, before removing the, now, stained salt..
The result is a pattern which has the enchanting controlled randomness of living tissue, the grace and dignity of marbled paper, and which genuinely enhances the grain of the wood.
Obviously the Osis process is much more complicated than our description gives justice to, and its control by llot llov is the result of much empirical research, trial and error and gnashing of teeth; however, despite the obvious problems of working with such a natural process, llot llov are now in position where they can produce panels with sufficient consistency to allow objects to be produced
Thus, in addition to using Cologne to introduce the Osis process llot llov were also presenting the first Osis objects, the table collection "Osis Edition 1." Although essentially created to present the Osis process, the tables are themselves not unappealing objects and combine stained spruce with a powder coated steel base to create a family of tables which can be used individually or in combination as a partially-nesting set.
Interesting as the Osis Edition table collection is and was, llot llov have also created three further Osis objects, three pieces which appeal to us a little more than those shown in Cologne not only in their more reduced form but also on account of their slightly more challenging typology. Yet three objects which you will have to travel to Paris to view where they currently form part of Gallery S. Bensimon's exhibition "Reflexion". Should however you find yourself in Paris before the end of March we recommend trying to find the time to visit the exhibition; not least because in addition to llot llov Reflexion features works by, amongst others, Lucie Koldova, Arnout Meijer and Daphna Laurens.
In addition to Osis llot llov also used their presence at IMM Cologne 2015 to present their complete collection including Grit table, Earl lamp, Hank mirror, and of course Lucille.
Who was looking as fresh, bold and vivacious as ever.
