HIGH POINT — Formal dining had been a slow category for a couple of markets, but new directions in styles and function steered buyers back into some showrooms here.

The casual contemporary trend that dominated much of the past few markets declined as new groups came to the forefront. A return to traditional furniture with carvings and intricate finishes was first seen at Las Vegas and continued here, and modern/contemporary made a strong run as well.

While casual contemporary lends itself readily to smaller dining options, the new styles shone with full-sized formal sets.

Royal Patina was pleased with the market even though traffic was off 4% from a year ago, said Rick Stroud, executive vice president of sales and marketing. Dining and other case goods in the Caspian Way collection performed well, he said — not quite as well as the Spanish-influenced Andalucia last year, but a nice follow just the same with its traditional European silhouettes, distressing and hand-painted details.

Some companies have moved away from formal dining, saying new homes have smaller dining rooms. But executives at other sources, like AICO President Larry Rinaldi and Ed Tashjian, Century corporate marketing director, said builders are still putting up plenty of big houses, too.

Century showed some pieces that are smaller than the company’s usual scale, but also had some big groups because owners of palatial homes are an important part of its demographic, said Tashjian.

A hot piece at Century was a round pedestal table at 54 inches to 60 inches with perimeter leaves that take it to as much as 80 inches. The table has a regal design with turned base or tulip base. The top can feature burl veneers and ebony line inlays and book-matched veneer center.

Other examples of formal dining’s resurgence were seen in the new French Evolution for Liz Claiborne Home from Lexington and all three groups for Better Homes and Gardens from Universal.

Counter-height dining continues to grow, but some consumers don’t like the plain design of many groups. AICO introduced a 60-inch square gathering-height table with the upscale traditional feel for which the company is known.

Bigger sizes haven’t done as well in some groups for Klaussner, said Darren York, vice president of merchandising for case goods. The new 995 Renaissance with heavy carvings and marble accents was a hit in bedroom, but not as popular in dining.

On the other hand, Klaussner’s Old World dining set, introduced last fall, has picked up steam thanks to its merging of smaller dining size with a dressier style that feels formal. This inspired the company to introduce three new smaller dining tables, with more planned for the fall High Point Market.

Leda introduced three new dining groups this market, drawing attention with the Uptown transitional/contemporary group inspired by Charles Rennie Macintosh.

Also attracting buyers was Leda’s expansion into multiple finishes. Groups can have four finishes, plus fabric options, said President Marco Confalone. About 90% of these goods are available for quick shipping in two weeks, he said.

Speed also was a factor at Magnussen Home, as the company prepares to launch a quick-ship program for case goods May 7. Case goods will be loaded onto a container in one or two days after receiving the purchase order. The container goes onto the next ship leaving the new distribution center in Vietnam.

It takes an average of 31 days for goods to reach the West Coast and 45 days to the East Coast, said Chairman Richard Magnussen.

A strong marketing push before market helped drive traffic to Zocalo, which introduced an Art Nouveau group, Belle Noir. The collection was a hit as buyers liked the fresh look, said Danny Olivas, Zocalo director of marketing.