Sophistication Colors Furnishings Market

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 10/25/2004 12:00:00 AM

High Point, N.C. —

It was a colorful and sophisticated time for fabrics, both in bedding and other home textiles products, as well as covers for upholstered furniture at the International Home Furnishings Market here last week.

The fashion color palette tended to the new blues, an icy but soft shade, most recently seen in abundance at Maison & Objet in Paris and Decosit in Brussels in September, as well as a broad spectrum of berry hues — fresh and lighthearted to deep and rich in tonality.

Prints continued to move up on the popularity parade in furniture with colorful and open fresh looks prevailing. Chenille was on a downward slope being replaced by jacquards with clear, open motifs — some in exaggerated scale for dramatic impact.

The news in bed ensembles was the solid color emphasis, mostly in silk and high-count cotton duvet covers. The design statement was simplicity, but not bareness. Embellishments were simple — stitchery, bandings, welting and braids. Over-designed and embellished looks were not seen at the upper end of the bedding spectrum.