Wes Kennedy

Vintage Redux Reigns At The High Point Market

Home Furnishings Trends from the High Point Market: by Tracy Bulla

Earthy luxe, industrial-inspired and Hollywood glam designs steal the show.

Dransfield & Ross recreates the look of Florentine marbleized paper on velvet, applying ancient, handcrafted techniques to textiles.

Design Workshop’s folding metal table reflects the industrial-era aesthetic.

Capiz circles cascade to a stunning conclusion in Made Goods’ chandelier, part of the new lighting collection.

Red Egg floats a vintage kimono screen in glass to create a one-of-a-kind work of art.

The Union Jack gets recolored in the new SM2 Collection from Soicher Marin.

Matsuoka crafts the Torii étagère in luminous pearl japonica.

Smoky gray velvet lends a note of intrigue to the vintage-style hooded chair from Global Views.

Beckoning the golden days of Hollywood, Barbara Cosgrove debuts the retro classic Studio floor lamp.

Here in High Point, the top looks around town showcase 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 features gray-washed, limed or light natural wood tones (and there’s 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 give 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 push 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 are reconfigured in designs far off from their original purpose, lending a fun, creative element.

Perhaps the newest look to surface at the show is 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 are deep and dark, setting off ebony and zebrano wood varieties, among others. Sleek, modern forms exude a sophisticated feel in scaled-down sizes.

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

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

You can find more market trends in our High Point Market Sketchbooks.

Posted by Wes Kennedy on October 27, 2009 | Comments (0)