 Market Preview - February 2008  |
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Pleasing Goldilocks New York Home Fashions Market Week introductions avoid extremes in the hope of satisfying consumers who want it “just right” Looking at the preview of goods debuting in showrooms during New York Home Fashions Market Week, Feb. 11-15, brings to mind the popular fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Goldilocks, stumbling upon an uninhabited bears’ abode, samples porridge, chairs and finally beds that belong to Mama, Papa and Baby Bear. Not a young lady who is pleased by extremes, she eschews items that are “too”—be they too soft, hard, cold, hot, big or small. Baby Bear’s possessions appeal the most to Goldilocks, who judges them “just right.” Time will tell if it will be proved a fairy tale or reality that consumers with only handfuls of dollars dwindling in value will also eschew style extremes in favor of looks that speak to middle-of-the-road moderation. This season’s preview reveals traditional styling that is not overly embellished and contemporary looks that are not cutting edge. Several big trends from last year are winding down. The black-and-white story remains to a lesser degree, in some instances refined by a bit of play in black plus beige. Though brown linens are featured, the brown-and-blue combinations are left behind. Consumers may be cautious about spending because they are nervous about how the economy will play out in 2008. If the mood reflects an “everything in moderation” attitude, home fashions seem to be satisfying their wishes by also playing it safe. Here’s a rundown on what we learned about this season’s trends in assembling our market vignettes: Far Eastern Jewels There’s a turn toward familiar jewel tones, with deep purples, dark blues, rusts and burgundies, creating a rich and satisfying palette. Print patterns are evident, but it seems to be more about the color in bed linens and decorative pillows. Fresh color schemes update traditional motifs. Ethnic influences are present, but subdued and easy to blend in with floral, paisley and geometric motifs.
a. Nurture Organic Home shams in Tropicana, Columbine Cody b. Sky sham, Lawrence Home Fashions c. Bohemian Stripe coverlet and pillow, Greenland Home Fashions d. Natural Silk with Royal Pink threadwork and Royal Pink Silk with Natural threadwork shams, Om Home e. Kenya Giraffe pillow, Marlo Lorenz f. Eurythmics sham in deep forest and small storage bin in pewter, Chicology g. Double Jacquard Damask towel, Buettner USA h. Hospitality Jacquard towel, Döhler USA i. Storage Sense fabric storage box, Compact Novelties, Inc. Tailored Textures Though there may be a trend toward less embellishment, it does still exist, with elegant adornments in trims, crystals and beads on decorative pillows. Texture matters, whether it is created with embroidery, ruching, pleating or weaving and is used to create tailored, even luxury looks. Texturing bridges the gender gap with quilting and other stitching techniques rendering eye-catching patterns without the need for over-the-top frills.
a. Kukui pillow and bolster, Kimlor Home Fashions b. Caruso pillows, Croscill Home c. Kensington Manor embroidered sham, Messina and Zucker, Inc. d. Marbella pillows, Eastern Accents e. Victoria quilted sham, Mélange Home f. Bouclé ribbed robe, Cobra/Espalma g. Sophia quilted coverlet, Intrepid International Trading Company, LLC Fit For A Queen The juvenile category has been heating up in the past year. Our feminine, pretty-in-pink juvenile vignette features licensed motifs for the very young set from Hello Kitty and Disney. But colorful florals in linens and towels, and butterfly motifs in decorative accessories can take any young lady from childhood through tween years.
a. Block Party quilted shams, Pinecone Hill b. Strawberry Hello Kitty standard sham, pillow and bolster, CHF Industries C. Cable Knit Blanket, Bella Bliss d. Ladybug Garden resin soap dish and embroidered towel, Saturday Knight Ltd. e. Bamboo quilted down blanket, Home Source International f. Disney Princesses reversible fleece activity throw, The Northwest Company, Inc. Coast & Country The bed covering’s multi-colored stripes serve as a “soft modern” background upon which more definitive styles can be pulled together. There’s a Country-style check in pillows from Donna Sharp and contemporary wildflowers on Divatex pillows. The ever-present audience for Country styling is complemented by the consumers who go for coastal themes and color palettes—seashells and starfish in settings that mix sand tones with seafoam greens and ocean blues.
a. Sweet Melon Pink Check euro shams, Donna Sharp b. Kensington Manor printed jacquard sham, Messina and Zucker Inc. c. Wildflower pillows in white natural mist, gold with khaki and gold with espresso and stone, Divatex d. Sanbona Beaded Giraffe Print pillow, Marlo Lorenz e. Cordova reversible coverlet, Greenland Home Fashions f. Seaside throw and starfish wall décor, C&F Enterprises, Inc. g. Julia Baillie Appliqué Natural Linen pillow, Jacaranda Living Diverse Distinctions This season’s bath accessories embody motifs drawn from nature, rendered in a variety of materials from natural elements, such as metal, glass and wood, to synthetics that mimic the naturals in look and feel. Here again is the predominance of non-extreme looks, whether it’s soft modern, or cleaner-lined traditional.
A. Alys Bronze shower curtain, Famous Home Fashions b. Sanctuary soap dispenser and Country Pine cup, Blonder Home Accents c. Fleur De Lei mesh tissue cylinders, Taymor Industries Inc. d. Athena wastebasket, LaMont Ltd. e. Peacock shag rug in snowflake, Home Comfort Inc. Essentials Refined Basic bedding makes distinctions with pretty trims on pillows and elegant materials in jacquard blankets. Messina & Zucker offer a one-stop shop with pillowcase borders that can be customized.
a. Kensington Manor embroidered sham, Messina and Zucker, Inc. b. Purity Organic sheeting sham, Home Source International c. Eileen West Classic Luxury pillow filled with Sensuelle®, United Feather & Down d. Ultra Soft Performance Mesh pillow filled with Memorygel™, Downlite e. Hotel Collection down-filled pillow, DownTown Company f. Silk down-filled blanket, Mélange Home Seasonal Settings From leaves in Spring and Summer greens to regal holiday stripes, color is key in new placemats and napkins. It’s the one area that deviates a bit from the middle of the road taken in other home fashions categories. Color for the table is eye-poppingly rich.
a. Tropical Garden placemats, napkin and napkin ring; Bizzy Bee dobby stitch napkin, Tag Ltd. b. Cabbages placemat, Sam Mackenzie c. Koi waffle tea towel, NowDesigns d. Barn Star kitchen towel, Anchor Home Products e. Madison napkin with Reno Gold napkin ring and Everet Silver napkin ring, Trendex Home f. Poinsettia Blossom hand-painted placemat and Holiday Velvet quilted fabric placemat, Elrene Home Fashions g. Penguin Skate Party placemat, Park B. Smith Rest & Relaxation Our work-at-home setting demonstrates that plush, sculpted rugs can do more than provide comfort under foot. Modern designs in the rug and pillows show that contemporary can be casual and mixing varied tones of neutral colors—grays, browns and beiges— can be attractive and inviting.
A. Gallia Earth rug, Liora Manne for Trans-Ocean b. Progressive sham in Starship, Ashley McBride c. Mette Ditmer Denmark sham, Famous Home Fashions The absence of extreme trends this season makes it easier for consumers to mix-and-match styles and subdued colors for eclectic looks that still enable personal expression. Resources
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