High Point Market in North Carolina is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world. Held twice a year in April and October and going strong since 1909, it draws more than 80,000 visitors from more than 100 countries around the globe. With exhibitors spread more than 10 million square feet in 180 buildings, visitors learn to come in very comfortable shoes or leave with very sore feet. (No designer stilettos here. Nike is the order of the day … but I digress.) Today’s column provides highlights from last month’s High Point Market with a specific focus on upcoming color trends. We keep up with the latest in home furnishings by attending High Point and similar trade shows in order to better serve our South Valley clients.
Overall, the mood at the market seemed filled with anticipation that the economy is turning around and business is on an upswing. Lots of new products were introduced with a bolder attitude toward color. In other words, designers and consumers alike are looking ahead to a brighter future. Previously, when Pantone introduced its color of the year for 2012, tangerine tango, it was immediately popular throughout the market and was believed to fulfill the consumer’s need for an upbeat, mood-brightening lift. Warm oranges combined brilliantly with deep pinks as well as lush teals to create innovative prints which were seen throughout last year’s products. Surprisingly, these “tribal ikats” (similar to tie-dyes) continue to be popular into 2013, especially in contemporary designs.
So when Pantone, a provider of color systems and technology for designers, retailers and manufacturers, announced that emerald green would be the color of the year for 2013, the usual flurry of activity ensued. The accessory and lighting suppliers were poised to add this color to their product pages. The paint suppliers, of course, began showing walls washed with this vibrant hue. For upholstery suppliers, the adaptation was a little more difficult. Although a green lamp or accent piece could easily be incorporated into a room scheme, creating a sofa that would do the same was a challenge. So while emerald was seen as an accessory color, it obviously can’t be as easily applied to the main furniture pieces of a room.
Other colors prevalent throughout the market were lead by blue. The versatility of blue endears it to both designers and consumers, which makes it appealing to upholstery suppliers.
“Blue reminds us of the natural world,” designer Alexander Julian said. “Blue is nature’s color. The sky and the water are all things that give us life.”
Blues range from cool sky, robin’s egg blue, denim, periwinkle and teal, to a deep rich indigo. Continuing with nature’s theme is the blue and green palette. The environmental sustainability movement instills a desire for shades of garden-inspired green. Greens are going to be cooler tones than seen in the past which will make them feel fresh and different.
Another popular combination found throughout the market was black and white … always good for adding drama to a room. Animal prints also continue to be favorites, especially zebra skins, which were featured in wall art, lighting, upholstered furniture and floor coverings.
Even with bright and solid color combinations on the rise, tried and true neutrals continue showing their strength. Cool grey, as the neutral, has been an outstanding option that consumers have loved and has lasted longer than many thought it would. Though the ongoing grey trend endures as a prominent base tone, look for browns to re-emerge as the neutral choice for 2014.
So that’s it for this year’s High Point color trends. Will you be the first on your block to add emerald green lamps to your living room or zebra print pillows to your bed? Not sure what you need but know you need something? Decorating Den INTERIORS can help you solve these – and other – mysteries of the universe.
Janet Cunningham is an interior decorator who lives in Morgan Hill. She is a Decorating Den INTERIORS business owner and enjoys working together with Pamela Ryalls-Boyd. Reach Janet at (408) 478-1095, [email protected] or visit www.decdens.com/jcunningham.
