National Geographic Home expanded its Tropic Winds Collection at the High Point market with several furniture, lighting and rug pieces. For the first time, the licensed collection includes permanent botanicals from New Growth Designs.

Tropical orchids, coconuts and kentia palm trees were drawing market attendees' attention inside the entrance of the New Growth showroom, 200 North Hamilton, Suite 303. One man said to two women buyers with him, "But these are real, aren't they?" The women laughed and poked fun at him.

Jef Glenn, who co-owns New Growth Designs with her husband Ed, said the deceptively realistic appearance is a focus for the Greenville, N.C.-based company, which began in 1948 as a fresh flower merchant. Permanent botanicals were added as an offshoot 12 years ago.

"We go to great lengths to make the plants as they grow," she said. "When National Geographic is working on a certain region, we have to be certain that the plants are grown there."

Creating the botanicals collection was a nice coincidence for Jef Glenn, who worked for National Geographic 30-some years ago and had thought its extension into home decor made good sense.

The Tropic Winds accessories capture the exotic elegance of Bali, one of the 13,000 islands in Indonesia. The botanicals include the vibrant, gently arching moth orchid (phalaenopsis) and heliconia stem, both native to rainforests.

The collection's additions and existing tributes to West Indies, South America and Marrakech collections were also shown at the Lane, Palecek, Toyo, iPhotoart, Sferra Bros., Wildwood and Sphinx by Oriental Weavers showrooms. The other new partner, Lava Enterprises, will provide a line of decorative candles and candle accessories.

The National Geographic pieces from New Growth Designs are inspired by Balinese plants.