Study in Contrasts
Accents get in the mix at High Point
Tracy Bulla -- Home Accents Today, 10/18/2007 11:26:00 AM
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| Aviva Stanoff’s exquisitely sophisticated pillows feature leftover fabric remnants in the season’s hottest colors. |
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Bungalow 5’s Vendome coffee table accentuates a graphic X-shaped base with a lavish marble top. |
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| Currey & Company’s new Alpha and Omega lamps boast exceptional contrast with charcoal tweed shade, metallic glazed porcelain and brushed nickel fittings. |
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| Inspired by a classic Deco design, Jamie Young’s Jacques lamp spotlights form and function with remote control-ready built-in shelves. |
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Cowhide and steel combine in sleek contemporary fashion from Moderna by Roberta Schilling. |
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The impressive scale of Fine Tuned Nature's mirror pays tribute to organic design in super-sized fashion, embellished with giant oyster and abol |
High Point offered a lot of new looks to behold, literally, in a contrasting array of styles, colors and materials. And while the breadth and depth of trends on display could appear bewildering, here's the catch: It all worked together beautifully. That’s right, think Swedish Mid-Century Modern furniture, industrial lamps and eco-friendly, artisan textiles in one chic mix.
The sweeping trend at market emphasized the contrasts in design, as opposed to grouping looks by sameness. On a lamp-by-lamp or table-by-table basis, individual designs packed serious style with contrast-laden options. These detail-oriented designs varied significantly in the interpretation; contrasting frames set off upholstered chairs, settees and sofas, while accent furniture and lamps boasted contrasting embellishments and ornamental motifs.
Distinctive material combinations juxtaposed smooth and rough (burlap and wood), plush and hard (leather and chrome) for richly blended textural appeal. Mixed-media introductions multiplied throughout the show (the more materials in one piece, the more stylish). Favored materials included wood and wood veneers, steel, leather, suede, chrome, organic cotton and linen, parchment, horsehair, nailhead and cowhide. In addition to leather, wood looks were on the rise, with a marked preference toward exotically grained varieties like ebony macassar and burl.
The abundance of neutrals aided in the mix, anchoring opposing elements with a sophistication that is ultimately very livable and consumer-friendly. While there were plenty of high-octane contrasts, the newest direction was a bit more subtle and understated. For example, teaming up charcoal and mocha or a refreshing palette of whites, another hot look at market.
Among the diversity of styles to be seen were industrial and rustic as well as a continuation of ecologically aware designs. International influences included updated French antique styles, reinterpreted Moroccan (particularly in prints and textiles), and Asian.
Newer on the scene, Mid-Century Modern came on strong and exceptionally stylish with a Scandinavian twist. Deco-influenced designs resurfaced this market and blended particularly well with contemporary offerings. Graphic, geometric motifs highlighted accent designs, including X motifs and square cutout chair backs.
If there’s one piece to buy this season in accent furniture, it’s a classic Chesterfield sofa or club chair in leather — either distressed and vintage-evoking or pristine and polished.
Either way, the versatile design grounded the heady range of accents on offer. Squared, tuxedo-style chairs and sofas stepped up this market, too, signaling a boomerang effect toward modernism on the horizon.
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WHAT'S HOT The Good Earth Ecological concerns ramp up in home accents, as designers seek creative paths to style with a conscience White Hot Shades of white, off-white and ivory are grouped in a stunningly chic ode to purity Got Milk? A plethora of cowhide introductions go sleek and chic, pushing well beyond Western-inspired boundaries Leather-licious Well on its way to becoming the material of the season, leather appoints chairs, tables, lamps and more with a luxurious perspective Color Contrast Accents acquire greater depth with the addition of contrast piping and finishes, either in soft complementary shades or high-impact pairings X Marks the Spot In accent furniture, X motifs grab attention with stylized imagery Function First Clever touches like shelves and pouches transform chairs, tables and lamps into utility-driven multi-taskers heavy on style Loom Large Superscale designs have expanded beyond lamps to mirrors, sculptures and all forms of decorative objects with dramatic presence Gone Gray Silvered tones are smoking hot this season with anthracite, charcoal and pewter going platinum Mixed Media Innovative combinations (marble and metal, horsehair and chenille, steel and wicker) increase the style quotient of individual pieces |
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