The High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, bringing more than 75,000 attendees and 12 million square feet of show space together every 6 months. The Interiors Joan and Associates team has been attending High Point Market for over three decades, and the importance of this biannual event to our business is immense. The October Market was full of beautiful new introductions, but these 5 trends really stood out to our design team.
1. A resurgence of the traditional look. Everything has been clean and modern for so long that it is refreshing to see a reappearance of the more detailed, curved and traditional pieces. Some lines are offering pieces in a lighter wood finish as a way to freshen the sometimes heavy appearance of traditional furnishing pieces. But don’t discount brown. The ever-popular gray has taken a turn and is appearing in much warmer tones, while brown and its warm, earthy complements are definitely back.
2. Caning. Remember the octagonal caning that graced the backs of dining chairs in the 70s and 80s? Caning in a much more modern and appealing fashion is having a moment, and the natural texture brings with it a welcome, tactile, look. Find caning on dining chairs, case pieces, beds, even upholstery frames. The earthen characteristics of this natural fiber are versatile in look and can elevate a simple design.
3. Inlay and texture in casegoods. Casegoods are “hard” furnishings, like bookcases, cocktail tables, end tables, and credenzas. This Market showed a delightful selection of consoles and credenzas that have every making of a showstopper piece. Some had brass framing and basing with book-matched faux crocodile doors, while others boasted live edge wood encased in hard surface materials to create a striking contrast of color, material, and texture. Still others featured painted glass doors and massive sizes, an answer to today’s open floor plan home layouts.
4. Brass. While all metals are en vogue, golden hues are here to stay. The past few Markets have featured the modern tones of French Brass, Burnished Brass, and gilded golds, and even more lines had product offerings with brass or gold detailing this season. Don’t think of the tawny brass of yesteryear. Today’s golden hue is warmer, less green, and adds sophistication to any furnishing element.
5. Bars and cabinets with surprise interiors. Bars and bar carts continue to be a huge trend. These functional beauties are both smart and stylish, offering storage, convenience to any hostess short on space, and they make a classy statement in great rooms or other entertaining spaces. They also hark to the midcentury modern ages when entertaining with a cocktail was tres chic! Today’s cabinets and bars have surprise interiors that are painted or lacquered in bright colorful hues. These pops of color offer a zing of fun when you open them and undoubtedly serve as a conversation piece for company or a jolt of energy for yourself when you open them up.
