What a Market this year!! I tell you, if I wore an Apple watch, I’d swear I walked at least 15,000 steps a day sourcing products, meeting new suppliers and looking for trends. Of course I loved every minute of it! I am so excited to share the trends I’ve found this year…keep an eye on my social posts for more videos and pics…there is not enough room in this article to share it all!

Let me introduce you to this year’s hot finds!!

The most saturated trends are the neutrals, greens and organic shapes. We had greens last year but this season the range of hues was wider from deep saturated colors to bright and fun, ensuring a niche for all to embrace. Neutrals were represented with earthy tones of terra cotta, ochre and coffee…and of course, a full range of foliage tints! These aren’t just flat colors like those from a crayon box…these are deep, living colors that draw your eye away from your screen and bring you back to living in the moment! Touch, feel, seek and find…they are not to be ignored! Look at the lush texture in Eileen Applebaum’s new collection of textiles for her Threads Soft Goods Line where individual colors on her Lexi Pillow & Throw offer their full spectrum yet are refined by geometric cuttings on linen. Contrasted by her metal textiles woven with mosaic mirror, laser cut leather and brass rings. Deeper still is her accent of authentic feathers on her Plume Pillow that draw your eye outside the perimeter of this decorative piece and into the sphere of the fabrics and textures beyond.

Area Rugs

Area rugs were lush with historic weaves as well as texture. Wool and jute, hand tufted and woven…the main thread was natural fibers as represented in the variety of wool yarn balls on display at the Loloi Showroom! New collections, including those from Jeremiah Brent, reflect the need for calm spaces after a day of chaos.

Outdoor Furniture + Bedding

For outdoor furniture, these natural elements were also found in sailor tied knots or woven rope, fabric straps and synthetic wicker for no-worry outdoor entertainment. And the comfort of these Wave chairs from CODARUS, inspired by human form and biomorphic llines, you’ve GOT to try them…But for now…just trust me! Bedding is no exception with an abundance of nubby and gnarled coverlets, velvets, cotton, wool and alpaca…Matelassé and embossed. Pillow cases trimmed in choose-your-own linen tapes for a personal touch…simple yet so elegant… I was so tempted to crawl into one of these beds at TL At Home from exhaustion!

Indoor Furniture

For Indoor furniture, there was an element of refinement with leather wrapped club chair arms paired with fabric and wood accents as noted in the Wesley Hall Showroom. Fabrics were dynamic and layered, offering the opportunity to be inspired to step out of the norm. Check out this tall Ernest Hemmingway club chair found at the McKinley Leather Furniture Showroom with wide, layered fabric tape applied horizontally to the back and secured with an additional layer of nail heads…Bravo!! And taking leather one step further, why not use both sides of the pelt to add an eye-catching whipstitch detail…all from the mind of Creative Director Steve Noble…Genius!

Large scale bent and bowed sofas were prominent throughout. Deep seating with layers of back cushions in a plush or refined manor. Either way, I was moved to dive in…I wished I could have stayed longer!

Let’s chat about being together…Another theme dominated with large scale tables and seating that surrounds you in a freestanding, oversized banquette. Reminiscent of dining out, it gathers family for those special moments that occur every day! Ray Booth’s Tectonic Collection at Hickory Chair was no exception. Very nostalgic, leaning into his upbringing and being influenced by his father as an aerospace engineer and gunsmith…inspiring his work of combining wood and metal and revealing the relationship of seeing how that piece is crafted…candid and honest construction! In a political world where we feel the truth is glazed over, this sincerity of composition was breathtaking!

Accessories + Décor

For accessories and décor, there seemed to be an air of playful, self-reflective statement pieces. Marble hand weights, larger-than-life gold screws and nails, zipper in an action sculpture and why not…a life-sized carved, wooden motorcycle as a statement piece in lieu of a baby grand! Fun, Fun, Fun!! Getting back to organics, the free form, unrestricted statement pieces continue to be plentiful! From vases to bowls, mirrors and enlarged acorn wall statements, each takes the restriction of life and lets it loose for just a little while!

Lighting

Lighting, one of my favorites is always a pleasure to peruse what’s new. Several showrooms were boasting table lamps with multi light sources. A standard light bulb at the socket with an alternative light source at the base. Use as a soft light for preparing for bed or toggle the lower switch for reading. And a big come back this year for artistic lamp shades in all sizes and uses. From scalloped edges to pleats including a wider variety of natural, woven options as well… adding a touch of individuality, color and pattern to a simple lamp base for a unique finish!

Rechargeable, cordless lamps were everywhere this year! From Visual Comfort’s new Blaze collaboration with Waterford to the Chapman & Myers Cabinet Maker Picture Light.  Place these anywhere without worry of running electrical or needing an outlet. Hudson Valley Lighting also released its full line of rechargeable floor lamps, table lamps and lanterns. Now your world can be illuminated anywhere in style!!

Chapman & Myers Cabinet Maker Picture Light

Rechargeable!

light switch

On a larger scale, jewelry is a driving inspiration for introductions from designers such as Noz Nozawa’s Riviere, Lariat and Daith Collections with Corbett Lighting. Her love of jewelry making, transforms lighting into being more than just light…but a statement piece that defines a love of artistry behind each piece. Likewise, Sean Lavin’s new Catena Collection with Visual Comfort, is faceted rectangular-shaped crystals with innovative LED technology, which effortlessly flows from link to link. Like a large bracelet, it moves and shifts to create a sculpture that embodies the home much like jewelry on its owner.

Sean Lavin Catena Chandelier

Noz Nozawa Lariat Chandelier

Noz Nozawa Lariat Chandelier

All magnificent, right?

Each year I walk through High Point Market and fall in love with pieces I hope to use in a future project. Inspired, charged and full of new energy for another year! Embrace what’s on the horizon with design being more about you personally. Let your playful side exist amid daily tasks, surrounded by the things that embody your spirit.