I love autumn for so many reasons, but one in particular is our shopping trip to High Point Market in North Carolina. We walk about 12 miles a day while ‘at market.’ The air buzzes with excitement, we see friends who we only see once or twice a year, we visit with vendors but most of all, and, of course, we find what is on trend for the upcoming year. From what we saw at market, 2016 is going to be an amazing year to be a designer, with offerings of bold and bright plaids to delicate and intricately detailed lighting, Lucites, shearling and fun accessories.
My head is spinning from everything we saw – but I’m going to share a few favorites – and something for you to try to get your hands on now and be fashion forward.
Plaids are everywhere right now – but these are not your grandparent’s tartans. Wool plaids are in bright hues of orange, green, purple and pink, colors we really haven’t seen in plaids before. It’s a wonderful juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary.
Along with many-hued plaids, we found colorful art, rich in texture and made in a variety of materials dominated. There was a stunning Kelly green piece of art made from wood shavings that drew in everyone. There was funky art made from bikes and abstract pieces in bold colors. There shouldn’t be a boring wall anywhere in the valley!
Last year was definitely the year of 50 shades of gray – this year we are happy to see blues, blacks and grays mixed with browns and tans. The layering provides depth and interest. Neutrals work so well together, there’s no way this look can go wrong.
One look that started to take shape last year and is really coming into its own are Lucite pieces. We are loving the easy-on-your eyes crisp, clear Lucite paired with shearling or clean lines paired with Lucite accents. Lucite is perfect for small spaces – it doesn’t take up any visual space. Today’s Lucite doesn’t yellow or scratch, it’s definitely worth taking a chance on a few pieces.
Remember bright and bold brass of yesteryear? Brass is back, but in much more muted shades. Think brushed brass lamps, brass accents on upholstered furniture and even candlesticks. Don’t get me wrong, so many metals were showcased at market – it brings a shine to your eye – but brass was the dominant metal.
What is old is new, which is something I love about design. There are so many ways to reimagine pieces and bring fabulous home. Charleston Forge has brought history to life with a limited, numbered console table made from reclaimed wood from Thomas Edison’s factory when he owned the Wisconsin Chair Company. The sleek, highly polished wood is a true beauty with true historical significance.
Stop by our Edwards’ Showroom so the buying can share with you everything they found. It’s like Christmas everyday as the wares pour in!