High Point Market Trend Recap, Fall 2014

I returned from High Point Market late last night after six full days of non-stop action.  First and foremost of things to do was to fulfill my duties as one of the eight High Point Market Style Spotters for 2014.  As a Style Spotter, I did my best to navigate through the 11.5 million square feet of showroom space to find the freshest and most noteworthy finds.  I spoke on two panels, where I discussed my findings and presented both audiences with where I see color and trends going, and I also led a group of buyers and designers to a VIP tour of two of my favorite showrooms, Taracea and Christopher Guy.  Both a little bit off the beaten path because I find that people want to go where lots of showrooms are clustered together or they are intimidated to go to a stand alone showroom, but definitely worth the trip.

In addition to these official duties, I also managed to get some shopping in for clients and attend a few design and business seminars.  Oh, and can’t forget about the parties – there were tons and I tried my best to hit up as many as I could, but unless I really had a clone of myself, it was nearly impossible. My feet are tired and sore but I am happy to say that I am home and will be wearing running shoes for the next week! Enough of my chitter chatter – I know what you’re really here for, so here you go:

Top High Point Market Trends

• Deep Red Tones
• Mixing and Matching Different Periods and Furniture Styles
• Rich Yellows: Saffron, Citrine and  Mustard
• Feathers
• The Evolution of Quilting and Tufting
• Statement Florals

High Point Market Trend Recap

Deep and Rich Reds

Red was seen at every corner during market, but we’re not talking just any ordinary red.  It’s a deep, rich red, rooted in tradition.  Think classic English Chesterfield sofa, where not just any red will do.

Bernhardt Interiors, seen above, uses blood red in conjunction with mustard and grey – a color combo that is stately yet modern.

Alexa Hampton’s collection for Hickory Chair features  a deep, slightly weathered red leather and painted red cabinet fronts.   Red piping is used in conjunction with faux snake, giving her design a modern edge. Quick fact: Alexa painted the art on the walls herself and don’t they all look amazing?

Mixing and Matching Different Periods and Furniture Styles

Just as our world has become a smaller place with the acceptance of interracial marriage and the merging of cultures, we have also become more accepting of mixing our furniture styles and different materials with one another.

The Lena Accent Chair from Stanley was one of my absolute favorites at market.  It features classical elements such as the Egyptian Klismos leg and classic English tufting on the ottoman, and is incorporated with Midcentury Modern styling.  The result is a beautifully styled and proportioned chair and ottoman that is unique, yet still relatable for most audiences.  Typically, the older demographic tends to respond to more classical elements whereas the younger demographic prefers cleaner and less fussy lines.  Because this duo features both styles, it appeals to a wider audience.  Smart move, Stanley!

The Marilyn Acrylic Chair from Global Views is a true statement piece.  Perhaps not for every consumer out there but if you’re looking to draw attention to a particular corner of your room, this chair will definitely achieve that.  A Louis XVI chair with fluted legs (available with or without arms) in an unexpected  lucite material makes a classical design modern and fresh.  This chair was probably the most talked about chair at market and there is no doubt that it will be popping up in every shelter magazine in the upcoming months, so brace yourselves!

Feathers

Feathers were seen across the market – from furniture to wall decor to lighting, feathers were well represented all across High Point Market.

With a name like “Icarus Collection”, feathers are expected to be a significant design element.  Jonathan Charles debuted quite a number of pieces in the “Icarus Collection”.  Intricately carved legs and inlaid wood designed to resemble feathers graced the collection that pays homage to the Greek myth that tells the story of Daedalus and his young son Icarus.

Natural Curiosities uses 3000 hand painted feathers and assembles them into a unified shield of feathers that is approriately titled “Daedalus”.

For their debut with Visual Comfort, Niermann Weeks showed a collection of chandeliers, pendants, and sconces that are fashioned after the feather.  Clear glass barbs are capped with gilt gold ball accents.  Each barb moves independently of one another and gives the fixture fluidity and movement.

Taxidermied Peacocks were also seen at several showrooms, but if you are a regular here on the blog, you already knew that peacocks were trending, right?

Quilting and Tufting Detailing Evolves Beyond Simple Geometrics

A new breed of quilting and tufting as a surface treatment has arrived. We have been seeing geometric shapes for the past few seasons, but now it is looking fresh again with organic shapes and unexpected materials.

Burton James pushed the envelope with the quilting and tufting trend by introducing organic shapes into the mix.  A faux bois pattern  (for those of you non-French speakers, “faux bois”  literally means “fake wood”) is quilted onto plush velvet, creating a series of highlights and shadows.

Dakota Jackson incorporates “tufted metal” into his new collection for Decca Home.  The dimensional metal provides an accent to the exotic rosewood and the results are simply stunning.

A Deeper, Richer Yellow: Saffron and Mustard

The Lena Accent Chair and Ottoman by Stanley Furniture makes yet another appearance in the trend report but this time in a painted saffron finish. Word has it that painstaking efforts were taken to achieve the very color that you see in the collection. Knowing the effort that goes behind mixing colors and keeping a careful log of the formula, I believe it!

The Marisol Vase from Arteriors sports a citron crackled porcelain glaze and has the same aesthetic that I am seeing come out of some of the smaller scale, California ceramic studios in California.

Chunky and Exaggerated Textures

Textures have become oversized and exaggerated such as this woven wood TV cabinet from Studio A and these wool woven poufs from Jaipur.

Statement Florals

Statement florals is a trend that has taken its cue from the runway.  Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2015 runway was full of  bright, bold oversized florals in warm sun-kissed colors and the furnishings and home decor sector has followed suit.

Natural Curiosities incorporated large statement vintage florals and displayed them with contrasting stripes.  Even though they were a much more subdued palette than was seen on the runway, they definitely made a statement with their presence.

CR Laine spiced up the entrance to their 2nd Floor showroom with wallpaper designed by Tracy Hiner of Black Crow Studios.  Bright oversized florals are strategically placed (even though they are designed to look random) on a contrasting black background, making a strong statement even stronger.

Other notable Observations to add to the High Point Market Trend Recap, Fall 2014

• Teal – deep, and dramatic, used in conjunction with brass metals or chocolate brown or charcoal grey upholstery.  I saw teal leather at several showrooms and dramatic, it was.
• Vanilla white (with grey, slightly yellow undertones) painted wood furniture that is reminiscent of the CAB acrylic painted finishes seen in the 1950s – midcentury modern influences
• Greek key and fretwork – seen as trim and accents on the feet of case goods.
• New metal finishes  – copper, which has already been seen in the NY and LA market for the last 9 months has finally arrived at High Point. An unusual oxidized brass finish was also spotted at Bernhardt. It looks like manufacturers are playing it safe with copper, though and only a handful dared to make a statement with it.
• Chinoiserie inspired bamboo motifs are seen but now are mixed with other styles, creating a more eclectic feel.
• Metallic laser cut and embossed leather – made into rugs, pillows, and used to upholster furniture.
• Burl Wood – seen in veneer tops, marquetry and parquetry patterns.  Not only is burl wood seen in traditional case goods, but it also making an appearance in more contemporary design.
• Exotic Stone – malachite, onyx, agate is not only limited to coasters and trays.  Exotic stone is now making its way into entire furniture pieces.
• Contrast Piping – to give chairs and upholstered pieces a little bit of oomph.  Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair did it best with faux snake being trimmed with a pomegranate red grosgrain.

During the Style Spotter Breakfast, the panel was asked which trends we were sick of, and the general consensus:

• Ikats- they’ve had a long run and it’s now time to move on.
• Industrial- We’re done with grey woods, factory inspired furniture, and everything Restoration Hardware.
• Big, chunky furniture, especially with plinth bases- we need to see a little leg and some shape.  Amorphous blocks just aren’t that sexy.
• Chevron- the market has been oversaturated and we’d had our fill.

This rounds up my High Point Market Trend Recap for all 2014.  Stay tuned for more, as I have so much more to report.  There were so many great finds and I can’t wait to share that with you in the next few days!

To take a look at all the High Point Market Style Spotter picks, be sure to check out the Pinterest boards.  All eight of us have different styles and design aesthetics, so it is interesting to see the best of the best, the freshest of the fresh – all from different points of view!

All images are my own.  Feel free to use them but please be considerate and give credit where credit is due and link back.