Premarket Reveals Trends to Watch for in October
There was plenty to write about from a style standpoint at High Point's Premarket this month. Probably the biggest continuing development in wood is that we're out of the espresso era. There are still dark finishes, but it's more like dull blacks or lighter coffee-bean browns.
Many producers are trying to find the right light wood finish, but it's tough. Some of the best looking are a butterscotch color - a warmer finish, darker than oak. Some of these finishes include visible, grayish watermarks.
One of the more interesting finishes I saw at Premarket was a red water dab finish at Stanley Furniture. Company executives said they noticed that rain had drizzled on a piece of furniture with a rouge painted finish that was still wet, and left marks. The factory reproduced the look and it's unique.
Red is set to be a big color this market. Dull grays are still pretty common. I also saw a fair amount of white - not a solid cottage white, but a thick white with some light grayish distressing. It almost looks like the furniture has been chiseled from marble.
In dining we continue to see a trend toward narrower tables in either rectangular or oval shapes. This might be a response to smaller rooms.
The accents category seems very competitive right now - probably because accents offer a quick way to spruce up a room that doesn't cost a lot of money.
Hooker had several new 72- to 87-inch credenzas, something you won't see a lot of companies doing. Large-scale credenzas are statement pieces, and these are striking.
I was impressed by Kincaid's efforts to market its new Artisan Shop accents. Each of the pieces will feature a history of the era when the designs might have originated. Like Kincaid's Homecoming line, which carries the American Home Furnishings Alliance's Eco3Home certified tag, the new accents show the company putting a lot of thought into marketing.
Accents also are taking the spotlight at Pulaski, whose 130-piece introduction called Accentrics has four themed groups.
I saw a lot of emphasis on fretwork, whether it be on desk fronts, headboards or chair backs, but I didn't notice a lot of similarity in patterns.
Many companies are again releasing collections with multiple finish options. There are still reptile looks, like a faux alligator skin. Some companies are reproducing this look with paints.
Companies continue to tout texture on wood furniture. There also are more collections with veneers that look like uneven planking, a spring High Point trend that will continue at the fall market, which opens Oct. 22.
ascot jones lagerfeld commented:
D ID someone drizzel on your head .what did you do go hide under a rock for the last 10 years,finishes are not traditional , same old junk its all borax,send someone to milan or valencia to see finishes not kinkaid or pulaski you are blind and it shows in your choices get some education or stop writing this blah info....
sheas a notgoiod commented:
You wouldnt know a good finish if it bit you,go to the design center open your eyes ,ask the food expert
paula deen about finish,she finishes her meals seems to me.....this week Paula Deen announced that she’s had Type 2 diabetes for the past three years. Three years? Why’s she just telling us now? Well, in order to endorse Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug Victoza, of course. Because Paula’s coming out party was on behalf of a juicy endorsement deal, rather than for the sake of her fans, she’s attracted a slew of criticism.
Insiders claim to have long known about Paula’s struggle with diabetes, but she never made her health problems publicly known until now—no doubt because she has an empire built on butter.
In a more recent press release, she’s promised to donate a portion of the money from her new deal to the American Diabetes Association, though the Association said that they were not aware of any such arrangement.
In the melee, we couldn’t help but wonder if Paula might be having second thoughts about her more outrageous recipes. Fried butter balls, anyone? Doughnut burgers? Hold on to your love handles as we remember seven of Paula’s most egregious recipes.
johnson jensen commented:
stanley the finish expert,so many great finishes in the mkt. to bad you failed to find them.....drip rainwater on red ...wow thats innovative and unique,what do you do wander the halls and forget to visit the design center where real innovation is likely to hit you between the eyes....open them up....finishes are not exciting in trad.product ...dulll would be better description.
Heath Combs commented:
I'm sure there's still plenty of it out there!
Midwest furniture retailer commented:
Even though the espresso finish has been plentiful since 2005 approximately, its only in the last 2 years espresso finally started retailing at our store. I hope all of the manufacturers dont discontinue all of their collections. Some parts of the country are slower to change styles. Manufacturers start pushing the "next" thing before the last thing has run its full course. We couldnt give away any of the Restoration Hardware knock-off styles with the reclaimed wood look, but I bet you 2-3 years from now, we will sell the heck out of it. Just one man's opinion, thats all.
