WHAT WAS HOT AT HIGH POINT FOR SPRING 2011

As I raced around High Point Furniture Market a few weeks ago, I took notice of emerging trends as well as great design elements still in the mix. I have been to market many times, and I am always giddy with anticipation. Seriously, I am. There is always something new to get excited about. My observations led me to the following conclusions. When it comes to wood color preferences, aged finishes prevailed, making pieces feel as though they have a patina of age and heritage. Cerused, light wood finishes were featured on everything from mirrors to etageres, and this lighter finish often provides a younger, fresher feel. Gone was the pull of Hollywood Regency, as it was replaced with classic American antique forms, being modified and pared down to essential design elements to appeal to a younger clientelle. The days of the ever popular etagere are waning, as larger wall cabinets with glass panes and doors and hidden shelving are replacing pieces that have limited storage. Lighting is less feminine then it has been recently, instead, rough luxe found and aged materials are being used. Brass seems to be the hardware finish of choice, replacing shiny nickel for a mellower, richer feel. When it comes to upholstery, details are designer inspired, with more high end touches like nailheads, tape trims and dressmaker tailoring. Big collection launch news included the new Dwell Studio for Precident collection with accessories by Global Views and Lilly Pulitzer for HFI Brands. Thank you to Century, Hickory Chair, Theodore Alexander, Sligh, and Hooker Furniture for sending me on such a wonderful trip. I enjoyed meeting fellow design bloggers and discovering furniture brands I did not yet know. I was on tours and had some hang time with great bloggers Cassandra Lavalle of Coco + Kelley, Linda Merrill of Surroundings, Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8.

Let the scavenger hunt begin!

What an entrance! The Century showroom with the Oscar de la Renta collection was styled with a thick pink and white awning stripe wallpaper.

The Michael Smith Collection for Baker makes gracious living easy.

Suzanne Kasler gave a sneak peak of her new Lee Jofa fabrics on her pieces at Hickory Chair.

Store galore! A new piece from Century would be a perfect piece in an architect's office.

Century launched a new collection called Archive with functional pieces in light finishes. Belgian chic is alive and well.

The combination of a natural woven material and a comfortable seat make this version of the classic Orkney Chair from Hooker easy to live with.

There is something charming about this inlaid wood side table from Theodore Alexander. The wings lift up for storage.

A charming desk with curved leg and supports has a large drawer for storage and clean lines from Sligh.

Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair included a sheltering canopy bed with carved posts in a fresh white finish. One of the great things about Hickory is that they offer a zillion finishes and variations.

A moss covered table with spring flowers adds a surreal element to the Bobo showroom.

The Bobo showroom is styled to the hilt.

I found these great twin paintings that remind me of Italian marbleized papers from Mastro Studio.

The rough luxe trend continues with this interlocking circle piece from Halo.

A Telephone Table from Dransfield and Ross in peacock blue is easy to move around and adorable to boot.

A small bar from Chelsea House is cheery in red and has a quatrefoil cut out detail.

This new, modified Surry chair from Hickory Chair was created out of their archives, based on one of the first chairs in their collection from 1911. The simplified back splat and tapered legs give it a modern feel, and the coral hued paint takes it to a whole new place.

Century Furniture did a version of the iconic Elkins Chair in a breezy blue.

Tiny convex mirrors reflect light in this charming mini sconce from Visual Comfort. The light finish provides a patina of age.

A dodecahedron lamp from Lauren for Visual Comfort in a light wood finish is an interesting shape reminiscent of an architectural mold.

Directoire sconces from Studio by John Rosselli for Visual Comfort come in a variety of finishes.

Beautiful dark, turned wood makes Alchemy's lamps the antiques of tomorrow.

Jamie Young gets nautical with a rope covered chandelier.

Currey and Company's iron orb light fixture covered in burlap is rustic and refined at the same time.

Tiny little votive holders from Riado are a great way to add candlelight to a table setting.

A Visual Comfort table lamp with a white base and telescoping column would be a nice addition to a night stand.

A brightly painted metal cabinet with panels in a crazy snake fabric from Design Legacy.

A hot pink and kelly green color story was everywhere at Design Legacy.

Alchemy Designs hand crafted wooden bench with bobbin details.

An ornate limed oak mirror from Noir is toned down fancy.

A demilune console from Hooker with cut outs of columns has a great design using positive and negative space.

A chair with a tight rounded back and narrow arm is a great reading chair. From Lee Industries.

A campaign chair in a cotton muslin fabric can sit fireside or at a desk. From Gabby's.

A curved chaise from Currey and Company. The chaise is replacing the vanity as the feminine bedroom accessory of choice.

A wood framed chair from Duralee has x - detailing on it's frame and would bring a sunroom to life.

An upholstered bench with a low back and white exposed, tapered legs from Duralee. The showroom incorporated his fabrics in the upholstery and design.

A small two seater from Hooker is a nice piece to sidle up next to a breakfast table.

A bone inlay table from Serge de Troyer has a sophisticated honeycomb pattern.

A two door console in cerused oak with slat door detailing is reminiscent of stable doors. From Gabby's.

Bungalow 5 channels a Palm Beach Regency style with bamboo detailing on their sideboard. The clean white finish and nickel ring hardware are a fresh new addition.

Thom Filicia for Vanguard designed this wide console with circle detailing that could work as a side board or a piece for an entry way.