Tropical looks reflect casual living trend

AT THE NEW YORK MARKET — Tropical looks descend on the market in the kitchen and table linen category, as manufacturers take advantage of this casual living trend.

"It gives people the feeling of summer, of being on vacation," said Lance Orlick, exeutive vp, Windham Weavers, Ridgefield, CT. "It has a mystique."

Windham Weavers will introduce several tropical styles for tablecloths, runners, place mats and chairpads at market. Panama Leaf is a jacquard design available in 52-inch square, 52" x 70", 60" x 84", 60" x 102" and 60-inch round sizes. Other designs include Fern and Palm Tree, both in two colorways. The company will also expand its Gear license with the addition of the Pineapple tablecloth, in three colorways.

Meanwhile, Brentwood will introduce its fully complemented collection of Island Flavor product at market, combining solids, stripes, plaids, jacquards, straw and more in throws, pillows, window, floor cushions and chairpads in its Panama collection. Styles include solid colors in twill and chenille in such island colors as Flamingo, Banana, Key Lime, Atlantic Blue and Lavender. Palm trees, birds of paradise and pineapples are the subjects of the group's jacquard chenille pillows with a center motif, which are embellished with treatments made in both knife-edge and moss fringe styles. Palm Beach is an all-over palm tree motif in amber and sage accents.

Tropical looks have always been part of the spring/summer collections at Elrene Home Fashions, and this market is no exception, as the Hawaiian Tropics collection will be one of three major themes for the company and it will consist of two coordinating ensembles. "This look has a bright, festive feeling," said Tom Merriman, vp, national sales manager.

Elrene's Batik Tropics line has vinyl tablecloth and mat, reversible fabric mat, hand-painted mat, straw mat and embroidered kitchen textiles. The novelty-oriented Aloha pattern, based on a retro postcard, has a vinyl tablecloth and mat, fabric mat, straw mat and embroidered kitchen textiles.

Palm trees are the focus of a new tapestry place mat grouping from Ashford Court called Tropical Palm, which features three different designs.