The Trend Tracker
The best fashion and trend information from the home furnishings world.
Material Matters
Home furnishings suppliers have come a long way since they first engaged in outsourcing. And while there is an earnest effort underway to bring some of manufacturing back into America, one of the bright sides of outsourcing has been the wealth of materials which became available to the industry through its engagement in foreign lands. As seen at the High Point Market here this week, the resulting... Read More
Comments (3)High Point Glitters, Glistens and Glows
As soon as the doors opened to Market showrooms here Saturday, it was abundantly clear that suppliers of all stripes - whether of home textiles, furniture, accessories or lifestyle collections - went for the high impact of Metallics in their new introductions. Whether imparted into fabrics, furniture finishes or wallcoverings, a golden glow emanates from all. In home textiles, the most popular f... Read More
Comments (5)Look Beyond the Show to Find a Show
What is so extraordinary about Maison & Objet here in Paris is that it serves as a magnet for a number of other events related directly to M&O, yet different in context and consequence. Most prominent is Design Week, which overlaps the last two days of M&O and offers unprecedented access to literally hundreds of design studios, cooperatives, concept stores and trade showrooms not normally open to... Read More
Comments (3)Home Textiles Trends from Maison & Objet
Just when I thought I had observed somewhat slower traffic at this season's show, I found myself engulfed by a titanic wave of bodies at the local RER train headed for the Maison & Objet exposition. Either, I concluded, all of Paris returned from vacation on the same day, or, more likely, fair-attendees decided they would rather cover this show after the weekend than on the weekend. A torrent of M... Read More
Comments (6)The Vintage Inspiration
The colors, graphical allusions to the past and techniques, such as embroidery, patchwork, tucking , shirring pleating and overstitching are present in many a collection of household linens at Maison & Objet here in Paris. They are hinting in particular at references from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, i.e. the turn of the century from the 19th to the 20th. Judging by the many diaphanous frocks... Read More
Comments (2)Luxury's Surprise Showing
Since I have had the luxury (no pun intended) of being in Paris a few days before the start of Maison & Objet tomorrow, let me get you into the mood of the city that never disappoints.My observations may surprise you. Many of you must wonder what economic climate you will encounter when you get here in the midst of the Euro crisis and all the suspense and hand wringing we have witnessed at home ov... Read More
Comments (3)Warming up to Maison & Object
Arrived in Paris on a crisp day, a good 10-15 degrees cooler than when I left home and the shocking recognition that fall is in the air as trees here are already turning. In preparation for Maison & Objet, held from Sept. 7-11 here are a few insights to help you make the best of the show alongside three vibrant adjunct events of choice: Fashions Night Out: Taking place Sept. 6, the event for the... Read More
Comments (1)The Death of Luxury has been Greatly Exaggerated (with photos)
All during these difficult economic times you have repeatedly heard the battle cry that luxury is dead. It never quite dies, except that it does slow down along with everything else when all is not well with the economy - but not so much. It's worth keeping in perspective that luxury is always down less than midlevel markets where, due to lower income levels, the pain tends to be more acute. That... Read More
Comments (0)If These Walls Could Talk…
It seems, increasingly, they might as well talk. As far as new interiors are concerned, they definitely are conversation starters. If you have noticed that wall coverings have staged a quiet but accelerating return, you are not alone. What started with textures, both modest so as not to compete with more than a decade's worth of paint, to more sophisticated ones such as are offered by Philip Jeffr... Read More
Comments (4)Kips Bay - A Change of Place And Pace
As a gift from Kravet, participants of the company-sponsored "Blogfest 2012" in New York were treated to an exclusive visit to the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club's Decorator Showhouse on its 40th anniversary. Traditionally and up until this year, venues for the annual event were exquisite townhouses, usually located on the Upper East Side as appropriately elaborate and luxurious backdrops f... Read More
Comments (5)Photo Blog: High Point Highlights
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Comments (3)ICFF - Always full of Surprises
Thanks to the second Kravet sponsored "Blogfest 2012," I had a chance to navigate the aisles of International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York (ICFF), which seems to get better every year.What's best about it is that not constricted by too many commercial considerations. Designers can let their hair down and do - with more innovative, even experimental, designs pointing the way to... Read More
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