Soft, metallic finishes on rise
Edited by Susan Dickenson -- Furniture Today, April 23, 2007
From the editors of Home Accents Today
2008 Color Forecast
The Color Assn.'s Christine Chow said increased exposure to the use of metallic finishes on accent furniture pieces has made the trend more palatable for consumers, who can anticipate softer, more subtle metallic surfaces to become popular. In Home Accents Today's 2008 Color Forecast, product editor Lori Lester also said Catherine Stein, president of The Color Council, predicts the 2008 Olympics in Beijing to be a key influence, and that the luxe/sensible preference of a growing, educated second home market is strengthening a palette of greens, sand colors, shale, red oxide, olive and dirty denim blues. Barclay Butera caters to the segment with an upscale rustic showroom in Park City, Utah, which he recently painted cinnamon red. Jennifer Castoldi, creative director of Trendease International, told Lester that pastels and earthy tones will remain prominent, but look for the more colorful palettes such as brighter reclaimed plastics, jewel-toned ceramics and classic Ralph Lauren navy and burgundy to gain strength.
News from the March High Point Market
-
HAT senior product editor Tracy Bulla's hot trend picks from the spring 2007 High Point Market include diverse and unpredictable organic, Southwestern, ethnic and urban rustic applications that incorporate more stylized eco-friendly options. Industrial workings of metal, wood and glass were also in evidence, as was a more weathered, softer country look and sophisticated antique inspirations.
-
New accessory introductions at market included Klaussner's Complements — 350 SKUs of top-of-bed, rugs, lamps, wall décor, tabletop and permanent botanicals by Decorize. Lane introduced an accent collection inspired by the photographs of N.C. designer Christy Clark. Paragon announced plans to launch a 20-piece wall decor collection of canvases, sculptural plaques and framed prints with designer Candice Olson. Company debuts included Banyan Trading, a new importer of eco-friendly case goods, accent furniture and accessories, as well as Bliss Studio decorative pillows and ACM Furniture, high-end accent furniture.
-
Models carrying lamp introductions by Cresswell Lighting, sparked with comments by HAT editor Becky Boswell Smith and Cresswell's Chuck Delpapa, entertained and enlightened guests at HAT's Monday night tent party in the Courtyard at Market Square. Marketgoers were invited to hear Raymond Waites, Vladimir Kagan, William Stubbs and B. Smith discuss "The Future of Design," moderated by industry trend tracker Ellen Gefen at the High Point Theater Wednesday night.
-
Bassett Mirror introduced 250 lighting designs for BMC/Lighting in an expanded two-story IHFC showroom, doubling its display and bringing its entire line of furniture and accessories under one roof. Interlude Home opened a 13,000-square-foot showroom of its Lodge, Traditions and Counterpoint collections, and announced plans to take over the former showroom of Pacific Rim, an accessories company that went into court-ordered receivership and was sold earlier this year.
-
Groovystuff held drawings, gave away T-shirts and brought Kermit the Frog to High Point to bring more attention to eco-friendly options in the residential home furnishings industry and promote the work of the Sustainable Furniture Council, of which Groovystuff is a member. Textillery Weavers debuted Stone Belt Mixed Media Mosaics, framed designs created with recycled yarns through a partnership with Indiana-based nonprofit Stone Belt Arc.
-
Capel Rugs unveiled its 90th Anniversary Collection and kicked off a year-long celebration with a reception and remarks by Capel family members, customers and N.C. artist Bob Timberlake. Timberlake celebrated 15 years of partnership with Capel Rugs and Sedgefield by Adams with introductions and a pond-side reception and dinner at his Lexington, N.C., studio. Princess Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, demonstrated the finer points of tea service in the Highland House showroom, where more than 60 pieces of the Royal Manner collection were introduced.
Survey: tabletop outlook
Manufacturers of dinnerware, serving pieces, glass/stemware, candleholders and vases expect a strong 2007, based on a strong start. Growth in 2006 was reported by representatives of Zrike, Andrea by Sadek, Arte Italica, Abigails and Vietri. In HAT's online survey of 100 tabletop retailers conducted in February and March, 43% of responses came from home accent stores, 19% from furniture stores, 13% from interior designers and 26% from other sources.
