Speaking with wall decor vendors, great winter markets and increasing business are the favorite topics of discussion across the board. Most growth remains in contemporary and transitional wall decor using simple frames, large mats and lots of color, while alternative wall art such as mixed media and metal wall pieces are emerging as areas of growth.

"Business is increasing," said Lendell Glassco, president of Paragon Picture Gallery. "The elections are over and the economy seems to be improving."

Leala LaMarche, creative director of LaMarche, is optimistic about the upcoming year and has expectations for continued growth. "We understand at LaMarche that the economy is a factor for all of us," she said. "However, we recognize the importance of investing in ourselves and making wise decisions to secure our place and gain market share in even the toughest of times."

With the economy on an upswing, vendors said they experienced great winter markets in both Atlanta and Dallas.

"Atlanta was outstanding," said Dave Alkire, vice president of sales at Majestic Mirrors. "Business was better than I ever expected."

"Atlanta was the best market we've ever had," said Melissa Van Hise, CEO of Big Fish. "Attendance was down this fall in High Point so buyers had to go to other venues to find things. It's not that people stopped buying, but I think they were waiting to see the outcome of the election and the economy."

Doug Hills, president of Advanced Art, believes the recent growth in the wall decor industry is also linked to support from retailers. "Our segment is growing, furniture retailers are putting more emphasis on accessories and that helps grow our business," Hills said. "I think business is going to be good this year."

Even with the bounce in business, vendors still agree having the right product is the biggest issue they face. With prints being available from many of the same publishers, it's imperative to distinguish product.

"We had a great year because of the product and pricing and service, but most importantly you have to have the product," said Alkire, who believes the eclectic look consumers are going for works well for companies who offer a diverse product line. "We use a lot of mixed media and unique elements in our pieces which gives a totally different look. The consumer is going for more individual pieces for various rooms rather than putting together suites of furniture and that works very well for us."

Smith & Co. has recently expanded its business from original pieces to include reproductions. While working with reproductions has made pieces easier to reorder and more affordable to most consumers, it has also brought new challenges. "My concern is maintaining quality in the product," said Kim Smith, owner of Smith & Co. "Having exclusive prints is more of a factor now that I am doing reproductions. Giving them my own look is harder than before."

Vendors are adding alternative wall art to product lines with the hopes of offering something other companies do not have. Glassco said business has been increasing in response to Paragon's recently expanded product line. "We've begun to carry metal art, more decorative wall plaques and more mixed media pieces."

Hills believes the best way to make products stand out is to be design-driven. "A lot of these prints are available from the same publishers," he said. "It's what we do with the print: the matting, the framing, that differentiates us. Alternative pieces are doing well for everybody. We're offering value. Our art is not sacrificing design for price."