Fab Finds from High Point Market

Patrick Madden, buyer for Madden-McFarland Interiors, is pretty excited about lamps and art this year, in particular, early arrivals from Currey & Company.

1.   He describes the Minuet lamp as classic sophistication. “Its oval porcelain vase has handmade porcelain flower appliques and a unique cast brass mounting. Its silk shade has a gold lining and combination trim.”

2.   He also was blown away by pieces from a collection of small- and larger-scale Russian landscape prints from Soicher Marin. “The Whispy Aspens print is very fresh and has quite a different look than anything I’ve seen in several years.” Here’s its story:

A lover of all things Russian, Ed Marin, a partner in the art firm, stumbled onto a Russian dealer in an out-of-the-way Parisian art and antiques market, where he uncovered a Russian sketchbook with landscapes done in the French Impressionist style. It was from the czarist days when Russian aristocracy was enamored with all things French. After the Bolshevik revolution, Soviets tried to eradicate as much czarist culture and tradition as possible, so Marin considered the sketchbook a treasure to have survived. He is responsible for transforming the sketches into color prints.

3.  The Farrington, as he describes it, is a very elegant marble table lamp with a cream silk shade.

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Mary Carol Garrity, owner of Nell Hill’s, says color was king, bringing back lots of ideas that piqued her interest (and we hope it does yours, too). “This spring I was blown away by what I saw at High Point. The styles, colors and trends were the most exciting in a decade. I couldn’t wait to get back and share  the emerging trends and hottest looks of the season. Everywhere you turned, you were drenched in vibrant hues that sent a jolt of joy through your whole body, like marigold yellow, Clementine orange, parrot green and fuchsia.”

4.   This year there was a great selection of artwork, including more contemporary pieces she knows her customers will love. She ordered a number of nudes, which are copies of lovely sketches. (Wendover framed artwork)

5.   She’s also a big fan of furniture made by Lee Industries. “I really liked their new take on traditional dining room groupings. Instead of chairs, why not pair your rustic table with a pair of booths, covered in a washable slipcover fabric like these? We thought this combination was perfect for young families!”

6.   This was the market of the magic carpets — each one had the mystic ability to steal your heart. This fall, Nell Hill’s will be filled with a huge selection of area rugs because it is expanding its selection. You’ll find everything from classic patterns to more contemporary pieces. (Surya rug pictured.)

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Jill Tran, IDS, of Tran + Thomas Design Studio agrees that color stole the show this year, as well as fun, shiny fabrics and glass of all kinds.

7.  Metallic fabric hit the showroom floor this year. “You’ll see metallic in a variety of colors, including silver, gold and copper overlaying color. Some have a snakeskin like pattern, while others feature a dotted or textured pattern. It’s stain-resistant and fun in all settings. It adds dimension to each space and is a fascinating treatment for fabrics.” (Chairs from C.R. Laine)

8.  Prints and patterns also are everywhere these days. “They’re happy and vibrant, almost like taking throw pillows to a grander scale, which is why designers started placing several big patterns together to make a statement in one room. The chair shown (by Bolier & Co.) is remarkably comfortable in its animal print and thin legs and arms (also popular trends).”

9. Glass is finding its way onto all surfaces across the board, including lamps, tables and bottles. “Mirrors have always been popular, but today they are combining modern with traditional, introducing different cuts and creating more solid, substantial pieces.” Silver foiling and beveling extend the reach of this growing trend. (John Richard mirror)

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Arlene Ladegaard, Allied Member ASID, owner of Design Connection Inc., brought back some fun pieces you’ll start to see around KC.

10. “C.R. Laine is a wonderful upholstery line, still made in the United States. They introduced a custom finish option with Benjamin Moore for exposed wood on their upholstery. It allows a unique and custom look that gives designers more interesting options that they can take to the client.”

11.  Linen headboards are the rage right now. “Stanley Furniture introduced a new farm bed with great finish options. The wood characteristics give it a lot of interest, and I love the heavy, rubbed-through white finish or a dark brown finish. The old pickled furniture has been given a new name — a blond finish. This was a very big look at Market this year. It’s interesting how trends can be reinvented every few years.”

12. “Wandering through the halls at High Point, I found a great bedding line (Hampton Hill) that is shockingly affordable. Everything you need is provided at one cost, and they say it comes to you in a bag. It creates a very custom look at an affordable price.”

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