The Reid’s team recently returned from the 2016 High Point Spring Furniture Market, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world.
Over the course of a few days, we visited with representatives in about 30 different showrooms (there were thousands set up!) to seek out new trends, designs, furniture pieces and inspiration.
We can’t wait to go back again in the fall, but we wanted to share what we discovered with you.
Gray, Gray, Gray … and Even More Gray
From furniture to fabrics, the graying of the palette was apparent throughout Market this year.
No matter your price point or pigment preference, you can find furnishings and fabrics in countless shades of gray — from light, near-whites to deep gunmetal hues. We’ve been saying this for a while now, and the spring market confirmed it — gray is the new neutral.
Small Is Big
With many Americans downsizing and embracing the “tiny house” trend, furniture manufacturers are starting to think smaller.
Nearly every showroom we visited had one or more pieces that told a space efficiency story. And the aesthetics are streamlining, too, moving towards cleaner silhouettes with less ornate detailing.
One-of-a-Kind Finds
Some of our most exciting finds at Market were one-of-a-kind antique accessories. We feel that accessories tell the stories of a person’s life, and there’s a value to special, signature pieces you won’t find in anyone else’s décor.
As High Point Market eloquently put it, “if you can’t find it at High Point, it probably doesn’t exist.”
Transitional Vibes
Blending traditional and contemporary styles has been an emerging trend for some time, but transitional décor, as it’s called, is finally finding its way.
This combination style incorporates lines that are less ornate than traditional designs, but not as severely basic as contemporary lines. As a result, transitional furniture designs are classic, timeless and clean, yet still warm, welcoming and comfortable.
Acrylic Possibilities
Acrylic furniture, also known as Lucite furniture, has been around since the 1930s and enjoyed a heyday in the 1960s. Today, it’s often associated with the Hollywood Regency style, but as we learned at Market, acrylic furniture is finding its way into all kinds of décor.
Trending designers are now pairing this chic material with metals and natural woods. And thanks to its unique durability, acrylic is well-suited for a variety of furniture and accessory designs, including bed framing, tables, chairs, desks, light fixtures, and even drawer pulls. We brought home a stunning beverage cart made entirely of acrylic, which you can see in person in our Roanoke showroom, located in Grandin Village.
