Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511070003
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JILL SABULIS COX NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: HIGH POINT, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
But decorative innovation fell by the wayside at this fall's International Home Furnishings Market.
``It seems things have stopped dead in their tracks. It's almost like we're in a period of suspended animation,'' said trends forecaster Michelle Lamb of Marketing Directions.
``There was actually no direction,'' said designer Smith Grubbs, owner of Smith Grubbs Associates, a home-furnishings showroom at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.
``It's really hard to call this one,'' said Atlanta interior designer Rita Guest of Carson-Guest.
Some industry watchers blame a national drop in new-home construction and stagnant furniture sales over the past five years. Others point to the popularity of the ``eclectic'' look, in which consumers are mismatching new pieces with flea-market, estate-sale and auction finds. Still others say instability at the corporate level of several companies - such as the mega-manufacturer Masco, which owns Lexington, among other lines - has caused a clinging to conservatism.
Still, Lamb said she sees the industry ``on the threshold of major change,'' and the fall market provided glimpses of what's to come. Here's an overview:
Fabric. In color, the neutrals are dominant. ``All of these solids in ecru and beige tones continued from spring,'' said Jim Berutti, Rich's department stores vice president for merchandising of furniture, bedding and floor covering.
Almost every manufacturer kept those cool, collected creams and taupes but added more grays and a chocolate brown as transitional colors.When color is present, it's muted (such as the sage green that's back from spring) or washed out (as in the blue denim that Henredon showed on a Ralph Lauren chair).|
Watch for brights coming in as accents, Lamb said. Yellows, while mostly buttery or soft golds now, should intensify, and clay red is coming on strong, she said.
Texture is still edging out pattern, Berutti said. ``The solids are washed, soft, comfortable, casual in feel,'' he said. Chenille, velvet and crackled, distressed leather are still hot. But shinier surfaces - such as cotton chintz, satin weaves and silks - are creeping back, Lamb said, as are florals and multiple companion fabrics.|
Style. ``Casual is king, there's no denying that,'' Lamb said. ``But I guarantee that in 10 years, those of us in the baby-boom generation will have trouble getting up out of those deep, cushy couches. I see a resurgence of formality.''
But those overstuffed, overscaled couches and beds only got bigger at this market. Vicente Wolf designed a cocktail table for Henredon that can double as a night table. Stanley raised headboard heights to accommodate folks who like layers of pillows on the bed.
English and French looks continue, and neoclassical, with its urns, columns and scrolls, only gains in popularity. But country has made a 180-degree turn. ``Novelty designs have receded,'' Lamb said. ``Those cows, cats and ducks are dead.'' Instead, country has become refined, more sophisticated, and the whimsy comes from folk-art accents.
Details. Woods are darkening, and finishes are dropping the high sheen for a duller, waxier choice that implies ``antique.'' And inlays such as marquetry and parquetry are becoming more common and affordable. ``Consumers want to see the natural wood grain again,'' Lamb said.
Metallics in warm shades of matte silver, burnished gold, bronze and copper show up in trims such as nailhead studs and in occasional pieces. Bamboo, rattan and other natural fibers such as woven water hyacinth and sisal provide warmth.
by CNB