Tabletop industry echoes a glass half-full outlook in tough economic times
Ongoing news about soaring gas prices, increasing shipping and materials costs, and shrinking discretionary consumer spending continue to reinforce the economic gloom and doom in the marketplace. But some tabletop manufacturers are finding ways to turn the tables, spinning the challenges of a weak economy into opportunities for growth.
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Las Vegas Market -- Glam & Glitz
Here in Las Vegas, accent designs take on a bit of the city’s decadent glamour. Hints of Hollywood mingle with shimmering metallics in a classic film noir palette. Streamlined silhouettes steal the show with dramatic overtones.
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Las Vegas Market -- Wood works
Wood reigns supreme as a material favorite at market, allowing home accents to get back to their roots. Whether mimicking wood’s organic form or the genuine article, designs go with the grain, revealing texture-rich pieces with style to spare.
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Atlanta Market -- Swanky shoots
Symbolizing longevity in China and friendship in India, bamboo’s distinctive form shoots upscale style and sophistication into statement-making accents this season. Emanating a refreshingly organic vibe, designs prove just as swank adorned in authentic stems or in simple renditions of this woody perennial.
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Far Out Fixtures
Casting a contemporary glow, pendants and chandeliers step into the modern spotlight boasting cutting-edge shapes and innovative silhouettes. Not for the conventional at heart, these designs radiate true individuality with features such as shiny chrome and geometric forms. Look for these offerings to shine off the beaten path this season.
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Accessories Today
A quick look at some of the newest products. lindsey.strader@reedbusiness.com
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Trends: Global mix
Rule breakers, rejoice! Toss out your decorating manuals and welcome a style movement towards everything eclectic. Coinciding with the growing globalization trend, accents look ultra chic when presented in a culturally fused array. No wrongs can be wrought in this mix-matched style, so blend away.
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Colors go eco-aware in '09
Across the board, trend forecasters say that eco-awareness will be the single biggest influencer of 2009 color palettes, with the movement snowballing from a trend to a true lifestyle. As people wish to ease the negative consequences on the environment through their daily lives, the hottest colors are reflections of the movement and can even serve to promote awareness.
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Garden industry stays in the green despite economic turmoil
The U.S. economy continues to struggle, with financial and housing markets taking major hits that are directly impacting discretionary consumer spending. But according to some garden accessory manufacturers, there is still room for success in the growing garden category. “With the current difficult economy, we feel more people are spending time at home with family and friends, and their d...
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Rustic Revival
Simplified provincial, nature inspired or weathered vintage: the rustic rage has many faces. All strains of the style put emphasis on unpretentious functionality and natural beauty, with wood, clay, leather and other natural materials creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Once the province of lonely country cottages, the look has become so compelling that even the contemporary movement has picked it up.
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Southwestern Salsa
Rustic and warm, Southwestern style transcends geographical location and becomes a state of mind to create an every day fiesta. The burnt colors of the desert dance through traditional Native American patterns with sienna, turquoise, sage, chili and indigo doing a spicy tango that is both traditional and carefree.
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Barware goes bold
Barware accessories make a dramatic statement this season with bold colors like red and black adding punch to sharp lines and funky shapes. Traditional serving bowls get revamped with vibrant splashes of lime green and orange in flirty shapes, while storage racks and bar carts go bold in black and red with sleek, clean lines.
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Barware: Metal movement
Barware gets its shine on this season with sleek metal detailing. Bar tools, pitchers, stoppers and shakers get a polished look from metal favorites such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, nickel and pewter, making these gleaming starlets as glamorous as the cocktails themselves.
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Barware: Keeping it glassy
There is no shortage of glassware to keep cocktails cool as an array of shapes, sizes and styles awaits to adorn bar settings with alluring details. Classic mugs are revived with funky handles, martini glasses get colorful glass ball stems and 18-karat gold trim glamorizes traditional high-balls, cordials and tumblers.
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Spotlight on glass
Lighting is touched with artisanal appeal in a profusion of glass designs. In this look, the intricate patterns and unique textures created by hand-blowing capture the light and make each piece unique. Color palettes remain neutral while metal accents polish off the look for a sleek, sophisticated air of style.
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Metal reigns
Ruling from the gilded throne of style, metal casts glowing hues on some of the hottest lamp and lighting offerings. Look for classic silver, beaming bronze and burnt copper to reflect glamorous designs with particular attention to aged finishes, ombre effects and chic shapes.
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