Striking looks at Premarket

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 18, 2013

Based on what I saw at last week's High Point Premarket, retailers should have their hands full trying to choose from the hundreds of new introductions in case goods, upholstery and accessories.
     What made this event special, at least to me, was the obvious thought, care and focus exhibitors had clearly given to striking colors, designs, finishes and textures.
     I make no claims to being a fashion maven - which is why we hired Cindy Hodnett - but even so, I was uplifted by a bright palette of colors on scores of case goods items. Lots of case goods exhibitors also hit the design nail squarely on the head by creating striking patterns using nail heads, especially on drawer fronts and sides.
     It also looked like skin, as in faux crocodile, alligator and shark, is in.
    Case goods with these looks just begged to be touched and it was interesting to watch as retailers ran their hands along the furniture. That tactile exercise seemed to help create a connection between the buyers and the furniture.
     It was also fun to look at lots of furniture inspired by women's apparel. I saw case pieces with hardware modeled after ladies' belts, clasps, jewelry and purses. Color, texture and shape were three key elements for many upholstery exhibitors as well. In colors, suppliers were anything but shy, using bright berry colors, shades of citrus and orange and a bevy of blues.
     But to be sure, this Premarket wasn't only about fashion and style. A number of exhibitors focused on bringing furniture to the show that stressed function. I noticed this especially in the case of an exhibitor active in the home office sector exhibiting new products tailored for our changing work styles and new technology.
     See you in downtown High Point in a few weeks!