Current

Sea Salt Neutrals for 2013 – 2014

Sea Salt Neutrals™ 2013 – 2014 dissolve the myth that neutrals are boring. These new tones are anything but basic! This collection speaks the international language of home décor in 20 neutrals inspired by salts from diverse geographies— the same salts that are on-trend in cuisine, natural cosmetics and upscale spa treatments. They are found in countries from Ireland and Australia to France and Brazil, and also originate in Hawaii, the Dead Sea, Nova Scotia and Baja California Sur. Continue reading...

Filed Under: Color Forecasts, Current, Featured, Trend Products

Up-Scale Design

For the past several seasons, the words tiny and small have been the best options for describing designs and fabric. But introductions at the High Point furniture market indicated that this is all about to change. In a striking reversal, the newest size was large, bold and more motif-focused than pattern based. Moreover, all design categories seemed equally interested in exploring the potential of a countertrend in scale. Even though produce-sack fabrics had less exposure, vintage accessories Continue reading...

Filed Under: Current, Domestic Shows, Featured, High Point Furniture Mkt

Spring Forward for 2013

Spring and summer have their own special energy. It’s light-hearted, optimistic and sometimes even romantic. The Trend Curve™ has translated those emotions and more into Spring Forward™ 2013, our newest color-and-trend forecast for the warm-weather months. This fresh collection includes Easter Bonnet, Parisian Rendezvous, Juiced-Up Samba, Perfectly Plum, plus six more trends to take your assortments from Valentine’s Day to July 4th and into the lazy days of August. Our signature Trend Continue reading...

Filed Under: Color Forecasts, Current, Featured, Seasonal Forecasts, Trend Products

Trend Album – What’s In Outdoors for 2013

Outdoor furnishings at Maison & Objet have settled comfortably into their stand-alone home in Hall 8. The building looks small, but the Outdoor_Indoor show-within-a-show that it holds includes a range of categories, from seating and sun-shading products, to garden pots and outdoor lighting. Hall 8 also held a wealth of newness. Color had new preferences. Shape held different options. Materials and patterns were also on the move. The shifts and evolutions in those categories confirmed that Continue reading...

Filed Under: Current, European Reports, Featured, Maison & Objet, Seasonal Forecasts, Trend Products

2013 Colors

Could it be that the economy really has turned the corner to recovery? We’ve sold so many of our just-released color forecast (The Trend Curve ™ Colors 2013) so quickly that we would have to say yes. But, along with economic recovery has come a long-awaited optimism at the international trade shows we attend. It’s a renaissance of creativity and ingenuity that has brought a much wider range of trend and color to the fore. And it’s just that kind of renewed energy that is reflected in Continue reading...

Filed Under: Current, Featured

The Arts & Innovation

All the talk about Steve Jobs passing has included much discussion about the essence of his innovative genius: that it was due to him living at the "intersection of technology and humanism" or technology and the arts. As a consequence, in the last week or so there have been numerous articles out examining the imperative that any company interested in innovation better have one foot in tech and the other in the arts...and ensure artists and technologists collaborate as equals. The Walker Art Continue reading...

Filed Under: Current, Design Thinking, Featured

Ambiente Trends 2012

Vigor and optimism pervade the 4 key trends for the 2012 Ambiente International Trade Fair. They will have instant appeal and be socially and ecologically correct. ELECTRIC ROMANCEIf a downturned economy has led to the fiscal and ecological wisdom of “fix it yourself,” the contrasting and coordinating colors of this self-confident trend has put “mix it yourself” in the forefront. Sturdy and dependable shades of brown and gray are the backdrop for brave splashes of bright red, green and Continue reading...

Filed Under: Ambiente, Current, European Trade Fairs, Featured

Trend Album – Maison & Objet, September 2011

Our newest report, Trend Album™: Maison & Objet, September 2011, is shipping (or available for download) right now. View a few sample pages from the report below. The Maison & Objet in Paris, France continues to enjoy a reputation as the world’s premier trend-spotting trade fair. That’s why attendees flock from around the globe to see what’s new in the stands. The September 2011 event recorded a 2.7% rise in visitors, with international visitors up by more than 8%, and American Continue reading...

Filed Under: Current, European Reports, Featured, Trend Products

Keeping It Simple

Those of us who track trends keep our eyes open to new colors, patterns and materials at trade shows. We also take notice of words that are repeated in our conversations there. When product concepts and words converge, the message is even more powerful. At the Gift Fair in New York, simplicity came through both design and strategy in a message that was loud and clear. On the product front, a two-color trend was afoot. It included everything from Lawrence McRae’s grillwork-patterned lamp bases Continue reading...

Filed Under: Current, Featured, NY Int'l Gift

Spring 2013 is Looking Positively Plump

Spring 2013 is looking positively plump with possibilities. Consumers are countering recession hangover by seeking out creativity in their lives and within their homes. It helps them make a more personal statement, and adds excitement and fun. This extends especially true for products targeted to seasonal celebrations. The Trend Curve has taken all this to heart in preparing the next version of our Spring Forward™ color-and-trend forecast. We have spent the past few months re-visioning the Continue reading...

Filed Under: Color, Current, Featured