MODERN MOMENTS: LOOKING FOR CONTEMPORARY PIECES AT 220 ELM IN HIGH POINT

Consider the array of furniture launched every year.  Right now, pared-down lines and comfort seem to be the order of the day when it comes to contemporary style,  and clean yet softer silhouettes in furniture design are seeing an uptick. Modern furniture is the hallmark of 220 Elm, my other High Point Market sponsor this fall. 

The building, filled with among other things,  Italian, Swedish and German collections, is the go-to spot for streamlined design at market. Europe is a stylistic bellwether, and is often where  design trends and movements launch. Whether it is color or material, the trend usually makes its way to the US a year or so later. This being the case, I always keep an eye on what is coming from across the pond, for some version of what is being seen there will eventually be making its way to us.
As I made my way around the showrooms, I was struck by the bright, clear colors as well as the mix of warm woods with softer lines. Modernism has been moving away from super sharp lines with sleekness towards a more organic style that uses sinewy  lines with warmer materials. Read on to see my discoveries.

Many companies are playing with the form of the classic wing chair, paring down the curves. Palliser's Thoreau chair, covered in a graphic black and white diamond pattern, is a spot to lounge.

Stripes have an ability to create excitement in a space. The graphic nature they possess give them a chameleon quality, they provide the unexpected. When used on a slipper chair, here at Skyline, the impact of a strong stripe is undeniable.

Capturing a sense of space-age fun, the mod Globus Chair, originally designed in the 1960's by Overman International swivels for extra retro appeal.

The Woodbrook Designs showroom featured primarily wood furniture, but made in interesting ways, like mixed with resin.  This organic tree, base and all, seemed to be growing out of the cement floor. Since hotels and offices also use this resource, I could see the tree being used in  a creative way, perhaps as a great addition to a majestic lobby in an African game reserve.

A highly reflective chrome side table  appropriately called Reflection in a biomorphic puddle shape had an Anish Kapoor quality to it.

Scandinavian design is known for super clean lines, and have become beloved for their "just the basics" appeal. This tiny little egg-shaped nesting table at Woodbrook is fun yet useful.

The Leif Petersen showroom is a destination for high end Italian design. Standout Italian industrial and furniture designers are carried here, and Peterson hand picks companies to rep after visiting Salone del Mobile in Milan each year.  Giopato and Coombes designed this chair for the Italian company Miniforms.  The Valerie, an organically-formed carved wooden chair has a back that resembles the branches of a tree in a refined way.

While walking the halls I discovered a company I did not know called Younger.  They have well-priced designs that tap into the current retro modern trends. I found some nice pieces like this one. A nickel cantilever base supports the modern Leo armchair, giving it a modern twist.

Mid-Century modern lines and bright yellow velvet upholstery with contrasting trim on Younger's Spencer sofa. This minimal piece would work well in a playroom or space that would benefit from a Mid Century dose.

One of the reasons I love High Point is that there are good things to find, you just have to look. At Design 9, I found this chic pared-down leather-covered love seat, perfect for a breakfast nook in a city apartment.

It's truly amazing what is being done right now with hair on hide rugs. The category, defined by Jin Ho and Kyle Bunting, has really come into its own. I love this multi-colored Puzzle patchwork rug made of a variety of colors from Mat The Basics. The price is right and the design has a playful element.

At Innovation, this fun poof covered in an orange blue and white geometric pattern is great for seating or a spot to place a book. Why not add a conversation piece to a seating area?