Wesley Hall
The market had been toying with Asian looks for several seasons by the time the April High Point furniture market sparked mainstream interest in the style. During the October market, lots of companies had jumped on board. Asian sensibilities were on a tear, building upon an installed base that had been forming for almost two years.
The ITMA’s recent Showtime market, which features new upholstery fabrics that furniture makers will display in their showrooms and offer to furniture dealers next April, indicated that the pace of Asian introductions will not be as robust going forward as it has been in the past. Not only did the number of new patterns in this look decrease significantly, but so did the amount of buzz. Additionally, hints of a preference for designs with Asian overtones, rather than those that are specifically Asian, and colors or textures not typically associated with this look, started to be heard.
What does all this mean? New-product development favoring Asian elements will continue to be seen into 2017, but at a much slower pace than during 2015. This will be especially true for the high end. The retail heyday for this look in home décor will likely come by the middle of next year.
Here are a few of the new Asian-inspired patterns debuting at Showtime:
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