Bright, happy colors are in this year, according to the High Point Market Authority, the official sponsor of the High Point Market, the largest home furnishings trade show in
the world. The event, attended by retailers and designers, started Saturday and continues through Thursday.
In its spring fashion report, the High Point Market Authority says the bright palette is energizing everything from accessories to upholstery.
"We all know that the Pantone color of the year is bright turquoise," says Catherine Smoak, principal, Jigsaw Solutions. "Strong, intense blues like peacock, teal and royal were predominant at the Oscars. It's almost like people are saying, 'I'm tired of standing back; I'm going to make a statement!' "
"We expect to see brighter colors in general this spring, simply because they are happier," says Erin Davis, designer at Global Views, in the fashion report.
Check out the gorgeous green chest at right from Century Furniture.
"It's the lipstick theory," Davis said. "In difficult times a woman will buy a bright red lipstick because it's an inexpensive way to punch up her look. Buying something small and colorful and fun for a room provides the same kind of lift."
"I think when retailers over-react to times of challenge they go
safe," says Caroline Hipple, chief energy officer, HB2 Resources, "so
consumers look around now and see a sea of brown and beige. There's a
way to use color to infuse some spirit, some life and some energy, and
our job as merchants--wholesale and retail--is to teach people how to
put texture and color together to enliven and uplift their spirits."
The chair at left is the Sloane Wing Chair from Bernhardt Interiors and has a cool bohemian retro look in a fun color palette.
Hipple is helping upholstered resource Norwalk Furniture inject some
life and energy into their color selections this Spring, by taking a
mix-and-match approach. "In each of five palettes, we'll have a great
chenille for example, a couple of great weights of linen, a great
leather color, a great ultra-suede, an affordable velvet and a more
luxurious velvet, with three to four shades within each palette."
Also on the boards at Norwalk this Market, Designer Candace Olson (see one of her chairs at right) is unveiling six new upholstered furniture collections, highlighted by two strong color statements: "a wonderful cognac fawn with a peacock teal mist, and then what we refer to as the play of light, a very usable graphite story accented with black and gold."
What do you think? Do you like the idea of bright colors?
As you ponder that, I'll share one more new piece from Century Furniture -- this fantastic, modern table in tangerine:
This post is part of the Inspired By link up at The Inspired Room.
