The Top Trends from April Market
Great textural pattern on a chair from Century
By: Jessica Bradford
Twice a year High Point, North Carolina hoststhe largest home furnishings trade show in the world. For six days hotels, rental cars, flights, and restaurants are booked beyond capacity as designers and other industry professionals fight for a chance to see new introductions from over 2,000 exhibitors. The weather for this year’s High Point Furniture Market may have been grey and dreary, but the new design trends kept it hot!
This April Market focused on exposing the natural beauty of wood grains
– Wood, Exposed
From Macassar ebony to mahogany, show casing the beauty and variation in natural wood graining was hot this market. But, by far, the show stopper was burl. Showcased on case goods, mirrors, and accessories, we saw burl reinvented in rich, dark java and warm grey. Wood also took center stage on upholstered pieces, in the form of exposed frames and banding, which can help a piece be beautiful in 360 views.
Furniture faces are given relief through intricate carvings and dimensional inlays
– Carve Your Niche and Accent Your Inlays
In addition to heavy wood graining, we saw a resurgence of intricate marquetry and carvings, creating beautiful relief on otherwise simple pieces. Mother-of-pearl inlays are ever popular, defining table tops and accenting accessories. Carved details range from classic fluting to stipple patterns and were featured on creamy painted tones, contrasting with rich dark woods.
Gold, silver, bronze – all were first place winners this April!
– Metallica
Bronze, pewter, gold, silver, champagne and any combinations there of were prevalent through-out furniture, accessory, lighting, and fabric introductions. Although metals have been popular for the past few years, we are now seeing metals combined with each other, adding a whole new dimension.
Spot tables are hot tables
– Spot on Spot Tables
Who doesn’t love a great spot table – they are so small, but can have such a big impact. Spot tables are an excellent way to bring in a bold color, pattern, or shape in a subtle, yet important way. From the classy martini table to the rustic log table, everyone has a spot for a spot table.
– Creature Comforts
Horses and jellyfish and birds, oh my! Wildlife is back, and not just in animal print! Bronze sculptures, lamps and artwork are all featuring animals, putting nature at the forefront. Natural elements, like hair-on-hide and abalone shells take the motif a step further and create a dichotomy with their otherwise transitional backgrounds.
We’ve seen animal motifs at many markets, but this spring creatures were the main event