During the High Point market, the top looks around town showcased a continuation of the vintage trend with a few new twists and turns. Overall, the most prevalent look encapsulates what's been described at various showrooms as "Swedish-inspired," "rough luxe," and "Belgian modern."

Whatever you call it, this directional look featured gray-washed, limed or light natural wood tones (and there was a lot of wood); hemp, linen or velvet upholstery, pillows and lamp shades; modernized classical shapes that draw from antiques; and accents of steel that gave it a distinct edge.

The wood itself is often reclaimed, framed by stainless steel that's antiqued, acid-washed and just plain aged looking. The forms are simple, yet elegant, and boast an earthy brand of elegance.

Juxtaposing classic and modern, this theme can really go either way, depending on the context and how it is accessorized. Accent introductions pushed it into an industrial-era, steampunk style with exposed light bulb pendants, factory-style lighting and work tables, plus minimal vases and tabletop accessories. Parts were reconfigured in designs far off from their original purpose, lending a fun, creative element.

Perhaps the newest look to surface at the show was a return to Hollywood glamour of the '20s, '30s and '40s. Studio-style lighting made an appearance at showrooms during market, complemented by Art Deco-inspired designs crafted in exotic woods, shagreen and lush leathers. The finishes were deep and dark, setting off ebony and zebrano wood varieties, among others. Sleek, modern forms exuded a sophisticated feel in scaled-down sizes.

Prints added a little pop to the relatively streamlined designs, hinting of bohemian leanings with ikat, tie dye, crewelwork and suzani fabrications. Manuscript and document prints pointed to a new direction in fabrics for upcoming seasons.

While gray was hands-down the color of market (smoky, silvery shades), other strong shades included bold, spicy orange, purple, taupe and blue. Since purple can often be a hard sell at retail, designers chose to present softer, more saleable hues like aubergine, plum and lilac which pair up perfectly with silvered grays. Blue moved into the deep end with cobalt, indigo and royal blue, often shown in tonal combinations.