South by Southwest

By Tracy Bulla -- Home Accents Today, 4/1/2007

In High Point, a clean front of Southwestern style sweeps the South. Remarkably sophisticated, this dramatic new trend draws inspiration from the vast open spaces and glowing tones of the desert. Interestingly enough, the majority of our sketchbooks spotlight nature, in various interpretations, at the very heart of style.

Additionally, the five top trends we see at market share an elegance of execution and precise, stylized sensibility. Handcraftsmanship and artisan-style designs cultivate an aura of worldly chic.

Sun Dance, our Southwestern-inspired sketchbook, blends clean forms, extreme texture and earthy wood in a palette of complementary sun-drenched shades. Artisan prints and pottery, exquisite textiles and shots of gold drench upscale poise upon the new face of Southwestern.

Forms and motifs derived from nature build the foundation of our two contemporary sketchbooks. Urban Oriental, an ode to luxurious living with an urbane sensibility, punctuates accessories with lush, Asian-style blossoms and sculptural shells. The overall effect is sleek, graphic and spare with chic to spare.

In Organic Modern, natural themes are abstracted with contemporary flair, spotlighting sensual curves and free-form design. Flora and fauna leitmotivs give reign to flights of fancy, providing a surreal nod to nature.

Ethnic style continues to build with a glorious melding of cultures. Saturated shades, natural fibers and burnished metals detail this spirited look, unveiling a path to enchantment by exoticism.

Classic American style returns with an even stronger presence this market, aided by several launches in the licensed Mount Vernon Collection. Elegant and opulent Federal-inspired designs blend seamlessly into modern culture, highlighted by a few choice accents. Moody hues and blackened finishes round out the timeless, yet ultimately relevant look.