trends Archives

Hot News from High Point: Top 7 Trends in Furniture and Design for 2022

The world-famous High Point Market in North Carolina just wrapped up last week. Host to nearly 100,000 attendees from 100 countries, the show includes 12 million square feet of home furnishing showrooms spread over 180 buildings in High Point’s historic downtown. Former courthouses, movie theaters, post offices, and gas stations are transformed into the year’s most watched furniture fashion runway. Here’s a recap: Comfort reigns. Many of us have learned to love the comforting embrace of home and want our furniture to reflect that. Furniture Today says the 2022 showrooms are featuring lots of sectional sofas, with comfortable updates like cloud-like deep seating, plushly padded arms and feather back cushions. Upholstery fabrics are designed for performance but softer to the touch. Make a statement. To provide interest and contrast, interior designers are including a statement piece. Divans, settees, sofas, upholstered benches and chairs boast unique angles and sculptural designs that can be viewed from all sides — perfect for today’s open-concept rooms and floating furniture layouts. Colors are neutral and soothing. The 2022 palette features gray accented by soft blush tones, along with a range of clean whites, creams, warm neutrals and deep blues and greens. Leather upholstery pieces [...]

Helen Sullivan2022-05-05T07:06:39-04:00

Top 10 Home Décor Trends for 2021

It is unlikely we will ever forget the year 2020 – and its reverberating effects will carry us well into 2021. Many are facing serious financial repercussions – others the heartbreaking loss of loved ones. For those fortunate enough to ride this out by hunkering down, homes have become the hub of all family activity – often including school and work – and a sanctuary to buffer us from an uncertain world. This pivotal year has transformed how we view our living spaces, according to home furnishings and décor experts. Here are a few home décor trends they are forecasting for 2021: Spaces do double-duty. We will continue to need multifunctional spaces that fulfill a variety of purposes. There is an increased focus on creating spaces (nooks!) designed for both relaxation and productivity, without sacrificing aesthetics. Comfort reigns. We’re gravitating toward furnishings that evoke comfort and livability, according to Modsy’s annual trend report on Insider.com. This means overstuffed furniture with softer curves; and textural, grainy, reclaimed woods. Old feels new. Insider.com is seeing a resurgence in antiques and repurposed, salvaged, and retro pieces that can be found in flea markets and antique stores. Modern, ‘80s décor also is enjoying [...]

Helen Sullivan2021-08-19T09:09:52-04:00

Surviving the New Normal at Home

Home is being redefined in 2020. Who would have imagined that home would become where just about everything is, subbing for the office, classroom, gym, restaurant, vacation destination and countless other places that, sadly, we may never view quite the same way again. There is no sugarcoating the fact that many are enduring unbearable personal loss and financial hardship during the pandemic. If you have the good fortune to be healthy and still have a steady income, now is a time to consider donating to one or more of the deserving charities working overtime to fill unprecedented need. Before donating, you may want to research the organization's worthiness on Charity Navigator, a nonprofit that evaluates charities. Those who do have the means are investing in their home life right now. Housing sales are booming—up a record 24.7% in July despite an otherwise troubled economy, according to the National Association of Realtors. Spending more time at home is prompting many people to look for larger places in which to work remotely. Other market factors, such as a shortage of available housing and low interest rates, are helping to fuel the boom. Those of us staying put are looking for creative [...]

Helen Sullivan2021-08-19T09:07:05-04:00