Highpoint, North Carolina, has long been heralded as the Furniture Capital of the World, with its robust manufacturing tradition, and it’s hosting of the twice-annual International Furnishings Market. Interiors Joan and Associates sends a team of designers to Market, once in the fall and once in the spring, to learn the newest trends, to analyze the comfort, purchase inventory for our showrooms, and to bring the latest in home furnishings, accessories, and art back to our design studios.
While our designers don’t recommend adopting every single trend in your home, we do suggest cherry picking the trends that appeal to you. Don’t get focused on a trend, because that’s exactly what it is. Some are longer lasting, but because there is so much incredible diversity in the complexity and array of textures, materials, and choices of what companies offer now, there is a huge opportunity to create a unique look…but also a huge margin for error, by doing too much of a “trend”. Rely on a professional to guide you to the correct mix of looks, scale, and materials to create a look that’s yours for now and years to come.
Here are a few of our favorites that were introduced at the last Market:
- Upholstery is showing incredible detailing now. A lot of neutral fabrics, not a lot of color or pattern, but character is added with embellishments like contrast leather welting, nail head detailing, metal and wood frames being exposed and used as architectural elements in the upholstery pieces, and quilting.
- Desks have morphed to fit our new work-at-home lifestyle. They have storage space but not the cumbersome traditional file cabinets as most workflows have gone digital. The home office has a new appeal with its peaceful and personal style.
- Bar carts have made a comeback! This trend plays off of the mid century modern look, which is so popular now. People love the entertaining flexibility of a bar cart, because they can host in different rooms and not be tethered to a lower level bar.
- New materials, such as this console table featuring gray doors that are actually back painted glass set in a cast stone surround with new brass hardware, added interest to pieces. Back painted glass is a trend we’re seeing, and it gives a soft, refreshed look – a new twist on painted or stained finishes, almost a modern eglomoise.
