Muted colors match transitional seating
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, April 6, 2009
HIGH POINT — Due to the growing popularity of transitional and contemporary styles, soft, muted colors are expected to play a prominent role in upholstery introductions at this month's market here.
This movement toward transitional has been gaining steam for a number of markets. It will be continuing here in almost monochromatic fashion with whole collections in neutrals and naturals.
Transitional frames — particularly larger pieces such as sofas and sectionals — seem to demand a subtle cover that blends with other furnishings and fits smaller scale surroundings.
But when it comes to color, pillows, chairs and accent pieces are where the action is. This market, manufacturers are using bolder botanicals, geometrics, stripes, paisleys and other designs to add pop and play off more subtle base colors.
One company creating interest with neutrals this market is contemporary specialist Lazar. At premarket last month, Lazar previewed a new mid-century tufted collection called Marcel. A sample piece was shown during premarket in a tan twill.
For market, a spotlight item at the showroom entrance will be a swivel rocking chair in a bright lemon linen. The piece is part of designer Michael Payne's collection.
Anissa Leatherman, who oversees fabric selection for Baker, said the gap between when a trend emerges in apparel and when it appears in furniture in growing shorter.
“Many of the things you see coming out of Baker will be right on the heels of what's walking down the fashion runways of the world,” she said.
Even though Leatherman said the company “gets teased a lot about 'Baker beige,' ” — neutrals that make up most of the company's best sellers — color is used actively on pillows and chairs.
This market, Baker will be featuring hot spring colors — “green green, really lemon yellow, coral, hot pink, fuchsia” — set against more timeless fabrics like black and white.
“If you look at fashion, it's all those vivid bold colors that are coming out this season,” she said.
According to Leatherman, Baker's grand salon entrance will spotlight a frame that combines silver gray and a soft lemon, producing one of the showroom's “wow factors.”
“It is so beautiful, and one of my absolute favorites,” Leatherman said.
Gray, in fact, remains a increasingly popular neutral alternative, although browns, creams and butters also continue to be best sellers.
“Gray has just gone nuts,” said Stefanie Lucas, president and CEO of Rowe Furniture, flipping through fabric swatches during premarket that mix gray with yellows and other colors.
“I still think neutrals are important. But there seems to be some interest in grays at the high end,” said H. Parks Neisler Jr., vice president of Dicey Mills. “I've seen people more daring with pillows and chairs and still playing it safe with the big pieces.”
Neisler also thinks that eco-friendly fabrics also are gaining momentum.
“We continue to get an extreme amount of growth in our eco-friendly programs,” said Neizler. “We're expanding that and getting more retailers on the Made-in-the-U.S. (aspect of the line).”
Cathy Smith, director of design and merchandising for De Leo Textiles, said that while there's no question fabrics are chosen for their style, color and quality, service also is a key component of any buying decision.
“Right now, I feel that the ability of a vendor to be trusted to deliver on their promises and whether a vendor can help reduce manufacturers' costs or exposure are also important factors in deciding whether a fabric is selected.”
Patterns to watch
From subtle to bold, from whimsical to serious, from metallic to flat, from duck to toile - these are among the wide range of fabric looks that will be in the spotlight at the April High Point Market.
Which fabrics will be the most successful? Here are some of the designs that mills think will be a hit.
 Derrington, from Valdese, can go traditional, ethnic or even transitional. |
 Furio, from Wesley Mancini, is a scenic, multi-colored toile with the surface interest of a matelasse ground. |
 Robert Allen offers a spring look with Kiki in Dahlia, left, Randy in Geranium and Kukula in Dahlia. |
 Eco-friendly fabrics such as Grid Linen are a growing category for Dicey. |
 Christiana is one of nine patterns from De Leo Textiles in a metallic glazed style. |
 A soft, drapable hand, subtle blended colors and a mix of ethnic and traditional motifs make the Cidra pattern from Circa 1801 highly versatile. |
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