I was just able to squeeze in a visit to the NY Gift Show before “our storm of the week” hit. I have included a few of the highlights and will be delving into each of the listed trends in the coming weeks. Here are the headlines:
* The Retro-industrial revolution is still going strong. This predominant look was found again this year in many booths. Decoupaged items (think vintage John Derian), animalia, metal cases and crates, English/French distressed upholstered furniture.
*Flower Power certainly lifted the gloom of January. Small vases with tiny buds in ceramic, glass and stone to large glass terrariums were everywhere. Also floral fabrics, pillows and decoupaged lamps brightened many a dark corner.
*Flowers and nature make up a large portion of another strong theme – The “Ruralist” which celebrates the rural lifestyle and highlights easy, country living with it’s sack cloth pillows and comfortable, oversized upholstered pieces.
*Robin’s Egg Blue/Tiffany Blue is the color of the moment – found in fabric covered trunks, pillows, ceramics, tabletop, and lamps softening the long-standing cobalt blue of the past few years (which is still going strong)
*Numbers and Letters continue to show up – embossed on small glass votives; on large metal pieces collaged on the wall; carved into wooden dressers; on pillows and oversized- leaned up on the mantle.
*Everything French is tres-chic! Picture the eiffel tower; red, white and blue; and baguettes, cheese and wine in metal, on pillows and painted on ceramics.
*The world is in love with London – With the upcoming Royal Wedding and the 2012 Olympics the design world is also focusing in on the British! Check out a preview of a future, in-depth blog.
*Purple and all shades of green are paired in bedding, on tables and in overall room design
*Brass/gold leaf/bronze is the new silver!
*A few unexpected surprises – Pillows from vintage needlework at www.augustmorgan.com; the exciting new couef – a chair, ottoman, upholstered end-table that you must check out for yourself (www.couef.com) and a candelabra from www.duneandduchess.com
Vintage needlework cover this chair from August Morgan
Candelabra from Dune and Duchess
Baby blue fabric covered trunks
the newest blue on the block
A serving palette and "knife" for cheese and other hor-devours
Blue dresser, lamp and tray at Bungalow5
Purple and green at www.cakevintage.com
Hydrangea napkin ring at www.deborahrhodes.com
Bedding in lavender and crisp white
Plates for la salade - oui! - Adventura, Amsterdam Avenue, NYC
Eiffel Tower in lights
Large glass terrariums, stones and wood set the tone for the "ruralist"
Small glass jars with greens make unique art!
small ceramic bud vases from www.chive.com
Ranunculus all in a row - from Chive
Floral patterns designed by Carson and Co.
The British are coming...
retro-industrial meets ruralist
One of many Bergere chairs covered in burlap!
ABC's from Blue Ocean Traders
Metal letters collaged together fill a wall
Brass objects from Jonathon Adler reflect the current trend
