The Trend Tracker
The best fashion and trend information from the home furnishings world.
Reflections
As Paris is emptying out from this season's M&O, a few parting thoughts to summarize some of the important events and directions pointing toward the future for home1) Expect a revisit of the 17th CENTURY with BAROQUE overtones and DUTCH COLONIAL influences. If, as I suspect, this trend gains momentum, expect a revival of tapestries, crewelwork, bargello and flamestitch, all on dry textured textil... Read More
Comments (0)Better and Better
As everyone braces for the predictable disruptions of an all public transportation strike which began here Monday morning, exhibitors and visitors to this show are likely to be shortchanged by a day, an unhappy coincidence with its expansion requiring more, not less time to cover.Reminding me that in an earlier blog I remarked that this show was "bigger and better" than any before it. I... Read More
Comments (0)Lost & Found
Anyone who thought that the clean-up and streamlining of our interiors in the wave of spare contemporary interiors was a done deal, better think again. Accessories - no, massive collections of them, are back - and with a vengeance. Tchotchkes have never been more plentiful - so much so that they require specially built walls called CABINETS DE CURIOSITY to organize and hold them. And we are not t... Read More
Comments (0)Back in Black
WOW! If anyone had told me that this show would get even bigger and better than it has over the last 10 years, I would have doubted that it could. Turns out, it is both - bigger and better. So much bigger that even a show veteran like myself feels daunted by the volume and density of the exhibitors this season. The addition of MEUBLE PARIS to MAISON & OBJET has greatly broadened the interior desig... Read More
Comments (1)Design leaders are going Baroque
Mark these words on your trend watch list - and keep them up there high. You will hear them more often and see growing evidence sooner than you think:BAROQUERENAISSANCE17th CENTURYOLD MASTER PAINTINGSDUTCH COLONIALThere were only a few straws in the wind three seasons ago. I took notice with first photos last September. Watched it grow at the January show - now finding the trend full-blown, especi... Read More
Comments (0)Sizing up the M&O layout
September becomes this year the month of furniture, and never has the show given such an important position to this category, now integrated with interior design. The opportunity afforded by the new Hall 7 allows the physical merger of Maison & Objet with Meuble Paris, which this year celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its furniture exhibitions traditionally and previously held in Paris every Jan... Read More
Comments (1)Destination: Paris
Heading once again for Paris and Maison & Objet, one of the most compelling of international shows focused on design and decoration which opens here on Friday, Sept. 3rd. I expect and look forward to the jolt of inspiring ideas and thought provoking presentations that hit you as immediately as you pass through its doors. Excitement has been richly guaranteed to its many thousands of visitors and f... Read More
Comments (0)The last hurrah
High Point, NC - As a last hurrah, I salute the plentiful and imaginative designs inspired by the outdoors. Considering that the products we looked at this week are generally slated for fall deliveries, there was an amazing crop of merchandise on display that seemed more geared to spring and summer selling rather than the cooler seasons. In a sense, they appeared to mirror the sudden outbreak of s... Read More
Comments (0)Substance beginning to matter
High Point, NC - I talked in my previous post about the 17th century as a likely next source of inspiration for future furniture and home furnishings lines. While this may take a season or two to manifest itself, a more immediate development and already noticeably advanced in the marketplace is a new awareness of and emphasis on hand craftsmanship in traditional designs. The look found one of its ... Read More
Comments (0)A Harbinger of Things to Come
High Point, NC - Attendance thinned out seriously starting Wednesday, and Thursday the Market pretty much was running out of gas. However, the good news is that orders were written even if traffic as a whole was still off. But a collective sigh of relief was heaved by all as buyers sought out newness and the Market showed signs of life. Let’s hope by October, the vital signs will be a lot stronger... Read More
Comments (0)Men’s wear makes its mark
High Point, N.C. – Optimism is hanging in there and attendance is holding up, with a steady flow coming in as of Sunday afternoon. Traffic good but uneven. Some exhibitors complaining about a slow flow, while others enjoyed an overabundance of attention. Those who did are the consistent producers of exciting news, compelling marketing concepts and superior product and presentation. Among them, as... Read More
Comments (0)American design leads the way
High Point, N.C. – As enthusiasm and confidence in the economy are growing, High Point is enjoying better attendance and psychology than it has experienced in some time. Manufacturers are optimistic and open to new ideas to build their business for the future – and buyers are looking for fresh merchandise to satisfy changing consumer attitudes toward home products. As for new directions in design... Read More
Comments (1)
