I’m still coming down from the high of High Point Furniture Market in High Point, NC. Nothing gets me going quite like the razzle dazzle of this divine, design destination. While at Market I noticed several new trends that I have my own— wait for it— opinions on. Instead of rambling about peacock blue and emerald green, honeycombs and hexagons, and the comeback of coral,  I’ll just give you my take on three dominant trends that repeatedly showed up in all the showrooms.

Candy-Coated Classics

Currey & Co.

There’s nothing that tickles my britches more than classic silhouettes with a modern twist. What’s more Redemptive Design than that? All over High Point was a repeating look of enamel painted Chippendale furniture in all shades of hard candy colors. Of course, emerald green was everywhere, but hot pink, canary yellow, and poppy red made a fashionable appearance as well.

Eric’s Emerald Editorial Does Eric like emerald? Sure. Would Eric buy emerald? No. This trend is an easy come easy go. In a year you will wonder what possessed you.

Watercolor Wonders

Wesley Hall Furniture

Painterly-fabrics flowed freely at Market. Monet-inspired watercolors washed over couches, armchairs and draperies. You name the piece of decor, it had a flower on it. But, I’m with Oscar de la Renta on this one. When asked if he’d use these fabrics in his couture furniture collection, he said, “I would never try to dress a woman like a couch —or a couch like a woman.” Here, here.

My Painted Point of View If I were working with a client who needed a fresh yet feminine update, I’d be open to adding a few painted pillows or throws—easily replaceable items—into the mix. Young people set the trend and they didn’t have to live through the pastel watercolors of the 80’s (Gag me with a spoon!). However, the colors in these prints are on trend, saturated and vibrant, and can still appeal to the more traditional client.

Salon-Style Socializing

Stanley Furniture

In the tradition of French salon-style hospitality, many homes are setting aside a wall to display all their artwork. Instead of being a political or cultural statement as it was a few hundred years ago, this tradition has morphed into a simple strategy for filling an expansive wall.

Eric’s Frame of Mind The collage-look loses a cohesive point of view. Eclectic feels more like unedited schizophrenia. I prefer to be precise. To these peepers, Junktique just seems junky. Don’t cram your walls from floor to ceiling with random art. Find your perspective and stick with it.