28 March 2024, 20:31
By JoBeth Phillips Jul 30, 2013

High Point highlights

While it is evident that American consumers still largely value neutral, inoffensive furniture, this year’s High Point Market bore witness to a number of dashes of colour in the form of furnishing accessories ­– as well as a selection of innovative furniture designs, writes JoBeth Phillips …

Chevron prints, across wallcoverings, cushions and other interior accessories, proved to be a burgeoning trend. Canary yellows, juxtaposed with aqua and teal hues, added a much-needed sense of warmth to US decor, and the combination is gradually making its way from accessories to furniture itself.

However, in terms of furniture displayed at High Point Market, it is clear that the American market remains relatively static. For the most part, darker oaks and pine continued to dominate at the spring event, although a number of relatively new designs to the US market – such as cleaner, more contemporary styling with minimalist, fluid lines – could be found.

Virginia-based Hooker Furniture was especially adventurous when it came to colour. Eschewing traditional neutral tones, the company displayed an eclectic mix of colourful painted furniture. Its Bradington Young seating division featured a selection of new coloured leather options, including on-trend peacock blue and emerald. Hooker Furniture’s Mélange bedroom and dining collection was also particularly impressive. Soft, but impacting, curves define its new Lana range, which is offered in a selection of muted, contemporary colours. Here, Hooker Furniture has done well in subtly adapting America’s love of traditional-style furniture to offer a modern, but still abiding, collection.

Offering a contemporary update on traditional American design is Allan Copely Designs’ Adrienne glass coffee table. Its brushed stainless steel legs create a modern, sleek effect, and its durable glass top will ensure its longevity. Due to its relatively inoffensive design, the coffee table would be at home in either a modern or traditional interior design scheme – and is sure to be popular with discerning American buyers.

Christopher Guy, one of Britain’s pre-eminent furniture designers, used High Point Market to display his latest collection, Mademoiselle, inspired by Coco Chanel. Combining traditional French styling with understated, elegant silhouettes, the collection is subtle enough to win over even the most conservative homeowner.

Also flying the flag was Steven Shell, one of the most successful British companies operating in the US furniture market. A diverse mix of Steven Shell’s illustrious, quirky furniture was shown at its permanent High Point showroom, much to the delight of the American interior designers.

Huppé, a Canadian contemporary furniture producer, displayed a selection of its minimalist ranges, including its new Folk bed. Featuring a platform base, Folk is available with wood panels or Italian slats, both of which can support a mattress without the use of a box-spring, and also benefits from hidden, self-closing doors. Created using a birch veneer, Huppé’s Folk collection is available in a selection of contemporary hues.

Seattle-based company Palu, which places a great emphasis on supplying ecological and sustainable furniture, introduced its new Premium Colors range. The company is now offering an on-trend pale yellow painted finish, as well as a soft, duck-egg tint, as a part of Premium Colors.

The Missouri-based Morgann Paull, designer and purveyor of innovative, functional record cabinets and media storage units, displayed his vintage-style entertainment console. Featuring a hand-painted bird floral design on bamboo rayon fabric, the console offers an alternative to traditional consoles, with vibrant colour and texture. It is suitable for commercial and living spaces, and can be customised upon request.

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