High Drama in High Point

High contrast looks make a dramatic statement with black and white adding a fresh feel to cleaned-up classic, while beach-friendly designs with a contemporary edge add a chic factor. This month, the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point showcases the season's top offerings and Home Accents Today highlights five show-stopping trends.

Asian styling remains timeless when paired with traditional accent furniture for a mixing of East and West that blends time and place. Contemporary offerings are spiced with ethnic perspective blending austere and exotic in a refreshing approach, while tropical styles marry jungle patterns, natural fibers and organic luxury with mod sensibility.

These five looks offer a peek into trend-focused designs being shown for the first time this spring. Home Accents Today's market coverage will continue with the publication of three daily issues, available Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Freshen up your style knowledge by checking out more popular looks and the newest product introductions from all major accent categories.

Intricate scrolling motifs frame the Elements mirror with lacy, feminine flair. eLink 589

The highly curvaceous Tuscan chaise from Moe's Home Collection invokes an air of graceful ease with its updated classical form ($999 to $1,499). eLink 537

Inspired by the shape of a diamond, Schonbek's petite Jasmine lamp features a faceted, optic crystal body highlighted to dramatic proportion with oversized jet crystal balls ($659). eLink 641

Opulent flourishes and swirls mimic the elegance of wrought iron in the machine-made, outdoor Piazza Collection from Dynamic Rugs ($130, 5x8). eLink 514

From the Moderna by Roberta Schilling Collection, the straight-line cut imbues the granite block table with strength and dramatic flair. eLink 603

Baroque curves lend a larger-than-life presence to Archatrive's first chandelier, featuring a wood-turned finial balanced by a top pinnacle. eLink 517

A loose arrangement of French Tulips provokes a strong contrast against a structured, ribbed vase from Atrium Foliage ($159). eLink 539

Grosgrain ribbon trim and quilted details offset the smart sophistication of Mystic Valley Traders' Sophia bedding ($1,765, queen ensemble). eLink 531

The lyre-inspired shape of Arteriors Home's mirrored occasional table offers an ode to classic Grecian design with a slick, modern twist ($700). eLink 511

Tiers of fur and pearlized leather fringe add a luxe look to Ankasa's wintry white plush pillows ($275 to $363). eLink 513

A hammered texture on antiqued brass highlights the excavated sensibility of the swirling vase from the Manhattan Overlook Collection by Garcia Imports ($723). eLink 566

An English reproduction Demilune chest from Furniture Classic's London House Collection is finished in stately style with swirl walnut, primavera borders and marquetry top ($2,200). eLink 549

East and West meet in the Ozark Vanda Bowl from Nature's Gallery with a plumeria spray and soft red Vanda orchids, twigs and tilandsia complemented by an antiqued green ceramic bowl with rust-colored accents ($286). eLink 569

A contemporary tabletop sculpture from J.D. Chamberlain presents an organic quality in a twisting form rendered in an antique green-finished natural wood. eLink 605

Herbal washing techniques give the 100% New Zealand wool Stella Smith rug from Surya a natural appeal in a contem-porary floral and vine pattern that resembles spreading Asian fans ($399, 5x8). eLink 666

From Roma Moulding, Nu Yen, a contemporary nude of an Asian woman, is a limited edition giclee on canvas showcased by an inside cognac molding with outside sabbia gold molding ($598). eLink 586

The unique geometric shape lends a modern Asian slant to the burnished copper New Informality table lamp from the Westwood Collection by Kichler ($170). eLink 627

Emerson et Cie's Palermo cocktail table is inspired by Euro-pean antiques with a distressed finish and intricate inlay medallion ($1,115). eLink 524

Square and pyramid-shaped wood boxes from Siwthaisilk are wrapped in exquisite red silks that have been hand-woven by village artisans in Thailand and are fastened with cotton cord and wood knobs to provide contemporary detailing ($36 to $58). eLink 645

Elegant silk pillows from Aribesque offer sophisticated colors and hand-beaded detailing in both antique medallion and contemporary abstract designs ($395). eLink 527

Walnut-finished wood completes the slick, modern appeal of Accents by Design's Cartona Collection, including an elegant console and coffee table. eLink 519

Barclay Butera's Brentwood sofa accentuates sleek, streamlined appeal with tufted back, block tapered legs and low, contemporary lines ($7,490). eLink 607

Part of Currey & Company's Hayes Parker Collection, the Queen of the Sea cachepot crowns an antique-era face with a shell-encrusted diadem ($240). eLink 618

Stream Blue, a 100-knot, Tibetan wool design from Tamarian Carpets, evinces the soothing, calming presence of water in subtle shades. eLink 669

The fluid, swirling motion of the sea is evocatively recreated in Phoenix Galleries' shell presentations: Spiny and Hammerhead oysters mounted on glass laced with abaca fibers and Purple Tiger Cowries mounted on bubble-textured glass ($99 each). eLink 592

Seafan is embedded in acrylic in Coronet Lighting's newest table lamp, blurring the line between natural, elemental beauty and contemporary design ($299). eLink 622

Soft sea-hued shades give Wildcat Territory's Catalina Collection a crisp oceanic feel, punctuated with a splashy coordinating stripe ($1,085, queen ensemble). eLink 668

Matte-finished ceramic vases from Willow Green present an abstract, textural rendition of waves ($90 to $125). eLink 659

Delicate crystal buttons add a touch of understated luxe to Ann Gish's silk charmeuse decorative pillows ($202 to $280). eLink 515

Phoenix Art Group's newest abstract showcases a sultry mélange of dusky hues painted on wood ($2,350). eLink 598

bedThe intricate allure of Arabic motifs flavors the lattice-patterned Jewel bed from Box Furniture, finished in tea ($3,041). eLink 559.

linensSantiago, a new design from the Ernest Hemingway Collection by CHF, mixes a woven jacquard with a woven intarsia pattern. eLink 609

Glazed in Red Landscape, the footed glass vase from Evans Design Group achieves depth through the texture and luster of the finish ($299). eLink 535

A modern take on chinoiserie informs the high-gloss buffet lamp from Harris Marcus Home, topped with a vibrant, sheer double shade. eLink 594

Despite its deceptively simple shape, Babette Holland Design's spun aluminum Sunburst mirror piles on the depth with a hand-tinted bronze finish morphing into gold ($399). eLink 561

Peter Casablanca's Zen bookcase, part of the Urban Island Collection, features a distinctive geometric shape in umbre notes of birch wood ($1,390). eLink 570

Bamboo-inlaid abstract lines accentuate the contemporary feel of the Gonza urn, finished in black semi-gloss, from Statements ($299). eLink 652

Part of the Celerie Collection from Laneventure, the Flying wing chair draws inspiration from a Parisian antique in classic 1930s Art Deco style ($1,195). eLink 642

Dubai, a hand-tufted wool design from The Rug Market, incorporates the richness of the Mediterranean culture ($550, 6x6). eLink 644

Holton Galleries lends an exotic touch by adding a rich bronze finish to an angular metal chain link framed mirror ($340). eLink 595

Palecek goes green using renewable natural materials to create the hand-carved Wooden Palm Leaf sculpture ($158). eLink 544

The Malam oval back chair from Selamat updates classic French styling with the exotic appeal of handcrafted rattan pole construction, leather wrapped joints and rattan woven cushions ($298). eLink 610

The Phillips Collection's Shipibo ceramic vases blend ancient tribal motifs with a modern green and cream color palette ($135 to $177). eLink 590

The Solstice pillow from Company C offers a contem-porary graphic leaf print in embroidered cotton highlighting warm, vibrant hues of brown, sunflower, moss and copper ($48). eLink 632

A three-panel hand-finished walnut and engraved bronze screen from Designers and Makers showcases a Moroccan-inspired medallion pattern, presenting a Moorish twist on tradition ($710). eLink 565

The Corkscrew ceramic table lamp from Cypress Point Home's Heritage Collection melds swirls of rich earth tones in a distinctive spiral form ($279). eLink 625

The tortoise shell effect of a handcrafted glass vase provides an earthy balance to bold red and gold phaleonopsis orchids from FloralArt ($90). eLink 692

Neutral leopard print grounds the 100% hand-tufted wool Petra rug in jungle-chic style from the Liora by Liora Manne Col-lection for Trans-Ocean ($349, 4'10"x 7'10"). eLink 670

Zocalo adds zesty flavor to a square ottoman from the Metro-politan Leather Collection in vivid tangerine-colored leather ($149). eLink 679

The bold juxtaposition of black and white plays up the new traditional theme, heightening the contrast of classic meets contemporary. Seemingly opposite elements, like granite, crystal and fur, seamlessly blend in a grand, opulent composition of New Age design. Style influences range from Baroque and neoclassic to strict modern, but all rely on swooping curves (often borrowed from wrought iron designs) and in-your-face proportions to heighten the overriding sense of drama.

all prices are suggested retail

An effortless update for traditional antique looks, clean Asian accents lend a modern Zen influence to well-established style. Classically fashioned accent furniture merges old with new, spotlighted by sleek silk boxes and an organic contemporary sculpture. A splash of customary Chinese red lends a timeless quality to the mixing of cultures and styles. all prices are suggested retail

Beach goes upmarket with super-sophisticated styling equally at home in an urban loft or coastal condo. Fresh and crisp, this resolutely modern approach pops elegant lines and rich, dark finishes with a chic sprinkling of shells. Water themes are echoed by a calming palette of oceanic blues and greens, set against a dazzling background of pure white.

all prices are suggested retail

Contemporary accents get spiced up with ethnic influences from around the globe, injecting a worldly, warmer perspective on design. Revitalizing in its breadth and depth, the blending of austere and exotic results in a remarkably fresh approach. Reinterpreted motifs that hint of faraway cultures layer texture into clean-lined looks. Rich, umbre finishes like tortoise, pure lines and geometric leitmotivs in the repeat create a well-traveled path to modern living.

all prices are suggested retail

A tropic wind blows through this spring bringing spicy jungle patterns, natural fibers and a touch of exotic luxe. Striking leopard print provides a spirited backdrop for global style where bronzy metal finishes and Moroccan-inspired medallion designs lend Moorish flair to island-styled palm sculptures and French-influenced rattan. Ethnic touches strike a balance with tribal patterning made modern in fresh, grass green hues. This trip to paradise is updated with a modern sensibility showcased in the form of citrus-colored leather accent furniture, mod-patterned soft goods and a chain link styled mirror. all prices are suggested retail