JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - The home furniture industry is growing in sophistication and offering consumers the opportunity to redefine the concept of individual style. Designs and collections that invite the buyer to mix and match for a classic style of their own is one of the trends that emerged at The International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina.
"Years ago a 'collection' was defined as a grouping containing furniture pieces that matched each other in style and finish," said Judith Sisler Johnston, president of Sisler Johnston Interior Design and ASID Allied Member. "Now a collection consists of
eclectic mix of furniture pieces that can be very distinct in style from one another yet are unified by a common finish or fabric so they look wonderful in the same room. The industry is recognizing that many furniture buyers acquire their furniture pieces over time and in different locales."
Mixing styles, materials and finishes is one of the design trends Sisler Johnston discovered at the recent High Point furniture trade show. Twice a year, home furnishings manufacturers introduce their new collections during the furniture market, which sets the stage for what consumers will see in furniture stores this fall. Store buyers and designers attend to stock their inventories and see what's new in the home furnishings industry.
While the trends shape what appears in American homes, Sisler Johnston says the international furniture market offers a sampling of home furnishings from virtually every part of the world. Many American-based furniture companies have established offshore manufacturing operations, resulting in access to global designs and materials as well as a cost savings to consumers. This is particularly true with upholstery fabrics, including leather and suede, which is popular and more economically priced than ever before.
Many of the livable furnishings combine traditional and contemporary style, infusing exotic veneers with a multitude of materials, including iron, stone, wood, leather, rattan and even tin. These fresh interpretations are designed for both formal and informal areas of the home. Styles range from contemporary Italian and Scandinavian to traditional French, English and Spanish to appeal to the broad market taste of Baby Boomers and Generation X buyers.
Manufacturers are also offering fresh finishes, particularly with upholstery
choices that mix three or four coordinated fabrics on the same furniture pieces. For example, a sofa may feature one fabric on its skirt and inside cushion combined with different and coordinated companion fabrics on the outside cushion, arms and pillows. "I saw a lot of embellishment on upholstered pieces, especially the use of elaborate trim, such as cording, tassels and fringe on the formal pieces," Sisler Johnston said. "Several of the leather sofa and chair designs also featured nailhead and even shotgun shell trims."
Sisler Johnston says coastal casual furniture has been re-introduced with updated distressed finishes, such as antique bisque or black with worn corner detailing to expose the rich, pine wood. A more classic, Victorian styling has been paired with wicker and rattan accents materials, louvered doors and upholstered portions to create some interesting furniture pieces.
"The Island influence in furniture design is still important and will always be desirable in sunny tropical locations like Florida," Sisler Johnston said. "The Tommy Bahama group by Lexington Industries is still my favorite because it combines elegant design with casual materials like cane and rattan. Each furniture market introduces new finishes and accent pieces to enlarge this fabulous collection."
According to Sisler Johnston the styling of the Tuscany area of Northern Italy is evident in many new design collections offered by large furniture manufacturers, including Lexington, Stanley, Pulaski and Lane. Consumers can see these new offerings by visiting the manufacturers' Web sites.
Sisler Johnston Interior Design of Jacksonville creates award-winning interior designs for the real estate industry, hospitality industry, commercial, and residential
clients. The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004.
The Sisler Johnston team of licensed, highly trained and gifted designers successfully creates living spaces from concept through realization throughout the United
States. Judith Sisler Johnston combines experience, knowledge and professionalism to help clients develop their vision while analyzing their design requirements. The company has been recognized with more than 50 industry awards, including Aurora, Laurel and Excel awards.
For more information about Sisler Johnston Interior Design, call (904) 288-0908 or visit the Web site at www.sislerjohnston.com.
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