New venue, presentations help generate excitement

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 9/30/2002 12:00:00 AM

FLORENCE, ITALY —

This year's Pitti Immagine Casa was different in a number of ways. They included a new venue, a broader base of exhibitors beyond the classic top-of-the-line Italian home textiles producers and a global economy that did not energize design creativity.

But with the show's new venue, the exhibitors were able to make their presentations enhance the product introductions.

While Italy is viewed by many as the ne plus ultra of the luxury bed and bath market, there are many that offer more beyond the classic white, ivory, neutrals and the like.

And it was in this segment that a direction was seen — an evolution from the bold orange of a few years ago into the newer and more significant coppers, burnt orange and sienna.

Also coming on was a crisp, clean approach to plaids and stripes with navy and black mixed with white.