High Point October 2011 Trend Report

Right!!

High Point really cleaned up its act, after the Mayor of Las Vegas announced that they were going to bury the International Furniture Market. It was a bold statement, considering The High Point Furniture market is the largest event in the United States, exceeding both the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras for attendance and revenue. This year, we were not disappointed as we danced our way through the B-52's sound check, attended the Rizzoli book signings, and zipped around in the "go anywhere" vans.  Last October, my High Point wrap post celebrated the return of color. Gray scale, or as I like to call it: "Recession Griege," is still the entrenched mantra of many vendors, but the color trend continues to mutate from Soaring 60's preppy shades to saturated blues, greens, plums, yellows and oranges. 

Hollywood regency mirrored furniture has emerged from trend to household staple. Sheen is the counterpoint to texture in a room and dominates this chic aesthetic.  Lacquer, mirrors, glass, metal and high gloss finishes are the common denominator, as interiors recombine and mutate echoing the swinging single eras of the 40's and 60's.  The hip pad is in. The Shabby Chic nest is going out. 

Moroccan inspired mirrors and Eastern fabric combined with bold geometrics pull together this Rat Pack mid-century cocktail of a room.  Fast forward,  and you get Sex and the Single Girl, or...

Sex in the City! 

Thomas O'Brien's show room at Hickory Chair is pure modern opulent. Glowing velvets and silks elucidate this polished aesthetic, in contrast to the drab, raw finishes of the griege era. Nail head trims tailor both the bookshelves and sofa. Savile Row is in, flea market is out.

Thomas O'Brien desk in Carrie and Big's apartment. 

Opulent hip is the operative description for this sophisticated vignette. Tony Duqette, perfected the rich hippie look for the 60's version of the swinging pad. 

Whimsical details, layered patterns and Asian elements are all part of the Duquette "More is More" theatrical interiors. Here's how a cool pair of designers re-interpret the scene.

Shopping the look in the High Point show rooms-- Hermes Orange compliments the peacock blues and saturated greens. 

Traditional Asian elements emerge in shades du jour. 

Lacquer, mirror and metallic finishes combine with asian and mid-century lines to kick up the neutral palettes. This takes me back to my Azuma days. 

A new twist on Carrie's desk. 

Orange and gray are buffed with silvery finishes with this chic chest and geometric mirror. Graphic punch, organic forms, nickel and chrome create an alternate version of the hip pad. 

Lillian August's showroom at Hickory White, was a show stopper. This small room does big things, using several large antiqued mirrors and dark paint, Lillian's pulled together eclectic sensibility strikes a sophisticated Hollywood glam chord. Are you feeling it? The look is all about seduction. Its a room where you want to steal a kiss, dance backwards in high heels, or watch a confirmed bachelor drop on one knee. Another way to add a sleek dimension is--no dimension. 

Tony Duquette, the original hipster, glam, pad designer of all time, uses this lucite for a subtle layer. We have been stalking the elusive, well crafted acrylic coffee table for months. The right stuff is not plastic, it is a hefty material. It is impossible to buy it vintage from a photograph because it scratches and is hard to see. We found this little darling at market. 

Notice the X base is one molded piece. We hauled this ridiculously heavy, invisible load down corridors,  elevators and stairs in the IHFC--we are sore and stiff, but here it is!!

We are waiting for the new sofa, but loving the invisible acrylic coffee table. 

More market madness later!!