Show Preview - April 2010

It’s High Time For Some Excitement
By Emily M. White

Inspired home fashions introductions capture the vitality behind this spring’s High Point Market

Hometexco’s Taza Duvet set.
Emdee International’s Ribbon Pillows and coordinating drapes offers a soft, whimsical look.
Woven Workz’s Jubilee throw has a pom-pom fringe that not only adds texture but also adds a little touch of playfulness.
The Sargasso Bedding Collection from Traditions by Pamela Klein invokes romance from the post-colonial era on a Carribean island.

For a new decade, the spring High Point market held April 17-22 will have a new energy. As Lisa Shankle, general manager Showplace, Showplace West Hamilton Properties explains, “There is a whole different energy to this High Point market. We’ve been down, but from what I hear, exhibitors have some very promising appointments approaching, it looks like we are going to have a very strong presence from the West coast, and we have some great new tenants.”

Introductions from exhibitors seem to have picked up on the refreshed vibe by rolling out vibrant looks that will appeal to market attendees hungry for inventive designs and value.

Hometexco’s Taza Duvet has a punch of color in a slightly ethnic-inspired look. The set is 100 percent cotton and made in India.

Woven Workz’s Jubilee throw has a pom-pom fringe that not only adds texture, but also adds a little touch of playfulness. Jubilee is also available in cream, sky, camel, red, willow, chocolate and blue. Also new from Woven Workz is its Betty throw, made of 100 percent acrylic, hand-knitted, with lots of texture, woven with an almost honeycomb effect. It is available in four colors: cream, camel, willow and chocolate. 

D’Kei’s new collection of wide metallic banding is the perfect accent for a “hint of bling” as the metallic is subtle.  The 2.5-inch banding is available in four colorways.

Following the success of his first print collection for Duralee, Thomas Paul expands his offerings of iconic patterns with Thomas Paul 2. His progressive and intuitive design sensibility is highlighted with a movement from modern two-tone, large-scale motifs into refreshingly re-imagined traditional designs colored for a more transitional feel. 

From Eastern Accents, the Bayliss Collection is bright and vibrant as an energetic assortment of colors effortlessly fuses with a featured whimsical print. This fresh design highlights the fanciful main fabric, and bright green or rust colored shams perfect for this casual, linen ensemble. Rod pocket curtain panels are also available in the main Bayliss pattern or in a solid rust color. 

Kevin O’Brien Studio’s Nauticals Collection of decorative pillows features brightly colored woodcuts of Cuttlefish, Sailboats, Salty Dog, Starfish, Sand Dollar, and a Sea Heart screen-printed on linen in colors such as coral sand, aquarium, yellow submarine, south pacific and sea glass. Each pillow has a zip closure and a feather/down insert.

Zumi is a new introduction to the Maison de Vie Collection for Lawrence Home Fashions. Zumi bedding exudes a smart, modern look in black, grey and white with accents of wine. The top of bed consists of a trendy mix of fabrics: a menswear fabric with embroidered overlays in wine, metallic silver, grey and black; and a grey and white ribbed fabric, both flat and tuxedo pleated and framed with a charcoal grosgrain ribbon.

The reverse is a solid grey ribbed fabric. It coordinates with a solid white 250-thread count, 100 percent cotton sheet set that has an embroidered cuff on flat sheets and pillowcases. Decorative pillows are embellished with embroidery, buckles and grosgrain ribbons.  Sophisticated yet casual with refined tailored details, it provides for a modern appeal.

T. Lockman debuts a new collection of striped blankets in 100 percent lambswool with blanket-stitched edging. Also new are geometric patterns in a blend of 60 percent Shetland wool and 40 percent lambswool. Both groups are inspired by American history: the stripes by goods offered by Hudson River traders and the geometrics from Native American blankets. The stripes are available in four colorways, including navy, orange, cream and plum. The geometrics feature brown, cranberry and charcoal. The blankets measure 74 x 54 inches, are made in Scotland and shipped from North Carolina.

T. Lockman is also recycling its damaged samples by creating Origanimals, cute fabric animals handmade as decorative items.

Ann Gish’s Jimi Collection is available in euros and throws and comes in five different colors: gold, lavender, moss, rouge and saffron. The collection coordinates with the Ann Gish Ready to Bed coverlets and new linen envelope shams with coordinating ties. 

Amity Home’s Flora quilt and shams invoke a cozy cottage charm with bright gingham, classic toile and floral print pieces stitched together by hand.

Robert Allen @ Home’s Tropic Scene 100 percent cotton fabric is offered in bright and cheery sunshine, capri and hydrangea.

The Sargasso Bedding Collection from Traditions by Pamela Klein invokes romance from the post-colonial era on a Carribean island, drumming up the idea of cool breezes on textured linen with details such as crisp percale, wide ruffles and mother-of-pearl buttons.

Emdee International’s Ribbon Pillows and coordinating drapes offers a soft look. Available in natural or white, the style is whimsical. 

The Market Square Salon pillows are eco-friendly in various styles, fabrics and sizes, from Laura Birns Design. The company offers a full range of biodegradable, environment-friendly fabrics made with natural and recycled materials, such as recycled polyester, PVC-free “faux leathers,” abaca, alpaca, bamboo, hemp, linen, organic cotton and wool.

Happenings At Market & Suites

  • Following the April 2009 launch of a renovated lobby, the Suites at Market Square open for the April 2010 Market with a new look, including a reconfigured aisle system, new carpet, polished concrete floors, new signage and new food service options. A new corridor leading directly from the Commerce Street entrance to the historic section of the building makes it easier to get to permanent showrooms in Historic Market Square.

  • Also debuting is a juried area called SALON showcasing the best design-driven home furnishings in the marketplace on the ground floor in Suites at Market Square. Every company invited to participate in SALON is screened by a jury of retailers and designers.

  • On the first (top) floor of the Suites at Market Square, look for the Design + Innovation Displays. The 4,000-square foot merchandising concept area focuses on a new theme each market. This April’s theme is “Ten Senses of Good Vibrations.” Songs are transformed into vignettes of visual expression.

  • Top entries from the inaugural Raymond Waites Design Competition, sponsored by the International Furnishings Design Association’s Education Foundation with the participation of House Beautiful, will be on display. Each entry includes an original design of an item for real-life production, one of which Mr. Waites will adapt for a future collection.

  • THINK: Materials is a new interactive exhibit that showcases more than 50 innovative materials from around the world. Curated by International Materials Consultant, Jim Salazar and first displayed at IIDEX/Neocon Canada, THINK: Materials is an experiential playground for the materials enthusiast.

Resources

• Amity Home, 877-459-2619, amityimports.com
• Ann Gish, 212-969-9200, anngish.com
• D’Kei Trims, 800-535-3534, dkei.net
• Duralee, 631-273-8800, duralee.com
• Eastern Accents, 800-397-4556, easternaccents.com
• Emdee International, 770-457-5450, goemdee.com
• HomeTexco, 706-602-8857, hometexco.com
• Laura Birns Design, 760-438-0731 LauraBirnsDesign.com
• Lawrence Home Fashions, 514-343-3740, lawrencehome.com
• Kevin O’Brien, 215-923-6378, kevinobrienstudio.com
• Robert Allen Design, 212-576-9115, robertallendesign.com
• Showplace, Showplace West Hamilton Properties, 336-886-4700, showplace-highpoint.com
• T. Lockman, 336-993-0700, tlockman.com
• Traditions by Pamela Klein, 518-851-3975, traditionspamelakline.com
• Woven Workz, 508-788-1218, wovenworkz.com

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