Hot Looks From the Spring 2013 High Point Market
Get an eyeful of some of the colors, textures, materials and more taking a big stand at North Carolina's huge furnishings trade show
I just spent six full days — and I do mean absolutely full, morning-till-night days — at North Carolina's High Point Market, which is the largest home furnishings trade show on the planet. By the time I had sashayed, then traipsed, later trudged and finally dragged myself through hundreds of thousands of square feet of showroom space, I got to the point where if I wasn't sitting in a chair, it was of no interest to me.
Fortunately, after a good hot foot soak and a couple of wine spritzers, I perked up. Sorting through the 800-plus photos I took, I whittled my experience down to the trends below. I hope you enjoy seeing the colors, materials and styles that are already on their way to showrooms near you.
In all of the photos below, I've identified the vendor's name where the products or displays were seen. At High Point all items are to the trade, so if you're interested in buying, contact your interior designer for availability and pricing, or contact the vendor directly for information on a retailer near you and then contact the retailer for availability and pricing.
Fortunately, after a good hot foot soak and a couple of wine spritzers, I perked up. Sorting through the 800-plus photos I took, I whittled my experience down to the trends below. I hope you enjoy seeing the colors, materials and styles that are already on their way to showrooms near you.
In all of the photos below, I've identified the vendor's name where the products or displays were seen. At High Point all items are to the trade, so if you're interested in buying, contact your interior designer for availability and pricing, or contact the vendor directly for information on a retailer near you and then contact the retailer for availability and pricing.
A jewel-like turquoise shade was everywhere I turned, including on upholstery and in accessories and art. Bernhardt used it for this luscious sofa.
More info: Bernhardt
More info: Bernhardt
The color even turned up on walls in a slightly more subdued shade. The color looks great as a backdrop for Vanguard's beautiful buffet in wood stained gray, which was also a prominent finish color at the market.
More info: Vanguard Furniture Company
More info: Vanguard Furniture Company
Pink in a slightly coral shade added pizzazz in several showrooms. In this Bernhardt display it mixes with soft dove gray and medium brown.
More info: Bernhardt
More info: Bernhardt
The dazzling fabric on this classic-style Bernhardt chair also employs the color scheme, mixing coral pink with light gray.
More info: Bernhardt
More info: Bernhardt
The same fabric style looks great on Vanguard's very modern, skinny and sleek version of the klismos chair.
More info: Vanguard Furniture Company
More info: Vanguard Furniture Company
If you don't think you can handle large doses of turquoise or coral pink on your upholstery and walls, then you might want to incorporate the colors with a patterned rug.
More info: This rug was in a Vanguard showroom, but I don't have the manufacturer yet. If I can find out, I'll post it in the Comments.
More info: This rug was in a Vanguard showroom, but I don't have the manufacturer yet. If I can find out, I'll post it in the Comments.
Texture
Mongolian lamb's wool is going beyond throw pillows. I'm crazy about these fluffy stools from Emporium Home. In white on a gold frame or black on a silver frame, they are an eclectic take on Hollywood Regency style.
More info: Emporium Home
Mongolian lamb's wool is going beyond throw pillows. I'm crazy about these fluffy stools from Emporium Home. In white on a gold frame or black on a silver frame, they are an eclectic take on Hollywood Regency style.
More info: Emporium Home
This combination of primary colors on rustic carved wood bases from Africa promotes a radically different take on the Mongolian lamb's wool stool.
More info: stools: NOA Living; dining table: Bontempi Casa
More info: stools: NOA Living; dining table: Bontempi Casa
I loved this Mongolian lamb's wool bench from Outpost Original that seemingly floats in space, courtesy of clear acrylic legs.
More info: Outpost Original
More info: Outpost Original
I hope you love shagreen, the rawhide made from sharks or rays — actually, in most cases it's faux. You're going to start seeing it everywhere!
The material tops this Oggetti game table, which reverses to a felt side as well. There are also four little drawers on each side.
More info: Oggetti
The material tops this Oggetti game table, which reverses to a felt side as well. There are also four little drawers on each side.
More info: Oggetti
Shagreen's texture feels rough and pebbly; the material has traditionally been used on small articles where a slippery surface is not desirable. But now, with the ability to create excellent faux reproductions of the material, it is being used on all kinds of furniture and accessories.
The Oggetti table top is not faux though. One way to tell the difference is to check if all the center white spine patterns are identical. If they are, then you know those are an embossed pattern made to duplicate the look. On this tabletop you can see that no two spine patterns are the same.
The Oggetti table top is not faux though. One way to tell the difference is to check if all the center white spine patterns are identical. If they are, then you know those are an embossed pattern made to duplicate the look. On this tabletop you can see that no two spine patterns are the same.
Shagreen completely covers this modern Oggetti dining chair for a very unusual use of the material.
More info: Oggetti
More info: Oggetti
You don't have to be interested in modern design to enjoy the look of shagreen. I particularly liked the lovely traditional shape of this coffee table from Gabby Home that incorporates the material.
More info: Gabby Home
More info: Gabby Home
Back at Dorya, I even spotted these beautiful cabinet door pulls in stainless steel with a shagreen texture.
More info: Dorya
More info: Dorya
Rugs
When it comes to what to put under your feet, the rug vendors all agreed that flat-weave styles are the up and coming trend.
This style isn't really about adding cushy softness underfoot. Instead, flat-weave rugs are all about adding color and pattern. Here we see that great coral pink again, this time combined with orange in a series of beautifully patterned rugs by Jaipur.
More info: Jaipur
When it comes to what to put under your feet, the rug vendors all agreed that flat-weave styles are the up and coming trend.
This style isn't really about adding cushy softness underfoot. Instead, flat-weave rugs are all about adding color and pattern. Here we see that great coral pink again, this time combined with orange in a series of beautifully patterned rugs by Jaipur.
More info: Jaipur
If coral pink isn't your thing, there's still a flat-weave rug that's just right for you. The Surya showroom displayed flat-weave rugs in an array of colors and patterns.
More info: Surya
More info: Surya
The proliferation of gorgeous wool felt rugs in amazing weaves and textures was another trend I saw. This pattern from Jaipur comes in various colors.
More info: Jaipur
More info: Jaipur
Three wool felt rugs from Surya showed real diversity. I like the wide bands of neutrals with colorful accent stitching on the center rug.
Behind this one, long square strips of felt were bound together into stripes. And on the right, square strips of felt were cut short to create an exceptionally chunky yet soft texture.
More info: Surya
Behind this one, long square strips of felt were bound together into stripes. And on the right, square strips of felt were cut short to create an exceptionally chunky yet soft texture.
More info: Surya
But my personal favorite was this long, deep shag made out of thin, square strips of felt.
More info: Surya
More info: Surya
This is what the Surya rug looks like from farther back. It's so plush and deep. Definitely on my list of must-haves.
More info: Surya
More info: Surya
Wood and Resin
Another interesting combination of materials I saw was wood and resin. These intriguing side tables from Four Hands are made of branches suspended in a pattern in clear resin.
More info: Four Hands
Another interesting combination of materials I saw was wood and resin. These intriguing side tables from Four Hands are made of branches suspended in a pattern in clear resin.
More info: Four Hands
The black resin creates a dramatic pattern, highlighting the natural splitting of the wood. The method also keeps spills from getting down inside the cracks without the need for a glass cover on top.
More info: Taracea
More info: Taracea
Reclaimed Materials
Art, accessories and furnishings created from recycled, reclaimed and repurposed items continue to win fans.
This wall of colorful discs from the Phillips Collection is made from old oil drum pieces.
More info: Phillips Collection
Art, accessories and furnishings created from recycled, reclaimed and repurposed items continue to win fans.
This wall of colorful discs from the Phillips Collection is made from old oil drum pieces.
More info: Phillips Collection
Even the more traditional furniture makers are beginning to incorporate materials like reclaimed wood. This traditional canopy bed from Brownstone is just one example.
More info: Brownstone Furniture
More info: Brownstone Furniture
High Tech
Our love of technology continues to shape our furniture. I found repeated examples of furniture with places for hiding and charging laptops, cell phones and more.
This sofa from Eurosace sports a track arm that raises up and swivels to create a place to set a laptop or tablet on.
More info: Eurosace
Our love of technology continues to shape our furniture. I found repeated examples of furniture with places for hiding and charging laptops, cell phones and more.
This sofa from Eurosace sports a track arm that raises up and swivels to create a place to set a laptop or tablet on.
More info: Eurosace
Dorya decided to try out navy blue — a new color for the company. Even the lacquer frame on these chairs is a deep, rich navy. When the color is paired with cream and blended with a medium walnut-brown wood tone, the look is very sophisticated.
More info: Dorya