the international authority on color and design trends in home furnishings
For years, there has been a perception that Housewares products were relegated to last-place status in the world of trend. While this may have been true a decade or so ago, it is far from so now. I thought about this when I was in London last week and saw the fabulous egg separator from Typhoon (see post on May 30). Then I reflected back to the Housewares Show, where Editorial Correspondent Chandra Palermo found so many interesting and … [Read more...]
I may never have publicly said that I love housewares products. I do. They give me a special lift , particularly when I see how the application of a new color or unique form can make something ordinary look great, or when a clever design quietly remakes how we approach basic functionality. At Peter Jones in London, I came across a piece I just had to buy. I brought it home because it could boast both an interesting form and a … [Read more...]
Our son, Alex, is allergic to gluten and dairy so, in solidarity with him, my husband and I do not eat these things either (our daughter Biz does not live at home, so she eats as she pleases). But for a number of reasons, I am also not eating sugar right now. That’s probably why the candy department at Selfridges in London looked so very appealing yesterday. It was nearly painful to see all the chocolates. And marshmallow treats, which … [Read more...]
There were so many great products at this year’s ICFF, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, in New York. Many were well designed, most had a green story and a few held surprises. One piece in the third category was shown at Studio Antti E Oy. At first glance, it appears to be nothing more than an unusually styled, angular C-shaped chair with sides you can see through. After all, how many chairs have safety-glass sides to really … [Read more...]
I have just returned from New York, where I attended ICFF, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. This show is pure eye candy to those of us who love all things contemporary, so I was happy to have a chance to go there myself this year. There were so many fabulously designed products that my walk along the aisles of the Javits Center was a slow one. I was particularly impressed with a number of companies from Denmark, all of them … [Read more...]
Digging deep in archives for inspiration, many tabletop designs re-emerged in better shape updated with distinctive modern flair. This was one of the most obvious directions at the New York Tabletop market, says Renée Bennett, Editorial Correspondent for The Trend Curve™. Here are her top picks from the past at the November event. • Royal Doulton celebrated 100 years of Royal Albert with a charming tea series featuring designs from … [Read more...]
I am a true Raymond Waites fan. I think he is one of the most versatile designers in the home furnishings industry. With a talent for color and design that has been proven over time (I have followed his career for years), Raymond’s is one voice I always listen to. Today I not only saw his upholstered and case pieces at LaneVenture, I also had a chance to look at decorative accessories he designed at Toyo Trading. That’s where I ran … [Read more...]
This was my first day shopping the High Point Furniture Market. I spent the early part of today in the newly remodeled Interhall area. I loved it! There were so many young companies with amazing products that it made these six aisles a joy to walk. One of the brightest spots was Ankasa. This company is only two years old, but their cutting-edge design sensibility makes me believe that an established future is assured for their … [Read more...]
Every now and then mistakes happen. Big ones. I discovered one of these big mistakes today when a subscriber phoned to ask about my talk in High Point during the upcoming Furniture Market. While Cathy scoured the official web site looking for the location of my talk, I went back to the email trail where I was asked to speak, hoping to confirm the location. When I did not see the location in any of these emails, I called the person who … [Read more...]
The Eco-trend is ramping up in every category. The industry trade shows covered in the August issue of The Trend Curve all included significant advances for all things green. Subscribers to The Trend Curve should already have that issue in their hands (to subscribe, visit www.trendcurve.com and click on the Trend Store link, or contact Janice Carlson by email or phone -- 800.531.6614). In some cases, individual companies carried the … [Read more...]
