First ever Trend Portfolio

Courtney Mueller -- Casual Living, 4/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Though the casual industry may be a smaller piece of the furniture industry pie, it is raising the bar in terms of fashion, design and growth. For the first time, Casual Living, with the help of sister publications Furniture/Today and Home Accents Today, looks at trends in the neighboring furniture and home accessories categories, from occasional furniture and lighting to upholstery and wall decor. So many outside factors affect trends, whether from clothing, economics or world trends. The casual industry has been taking cues from interior trends, and, to some surprise, interior designers are doing the same, utilizing indoor/outdoor rugs and even casual furniture inside the home, further blurring the lines between indoors and out. Here is a review of top trends across categories to help educate and inspire casual design.

Furniture

• Motion upholstery paired with microfiber: Microfiber has advanced its cleanability, stain resistance, accessibility, textural alternatives and color palette; taupes and dark browns are the most popular color choices

• Stationary upholstery focuses on simplified transitional looks, leaning toward contemporary

• Leather: Color palette has warmed for spring and includes soft greens, blues and clean whites, as well as metallics; tufted looks are going lighter with hand-pulled button applications

• Casual dining key trends include warm, dark brown finishes; wine storage cabinets and bar units gain ground, as do rustic, aged looks

Accent/Occasional Furniture

• Traditional styling a top seller, followed by transitional and country (French, English, American)

• Mix and match a trend for accent furniture as classics are offered in new colors with attention-grabbing detail

• Tailored, sophisticated styles draw on European and Asian influences

• References to nature resound, heavy on realism and organically styled designs highlighted by weathered finishes, deeply grained wood and simple design

Case goods

• Update on traditional styles with contemporary or transitional touches

• Other influences: Edwardian, Chinese, Spanish Colonial, Empire, British West Indies, 17th century Irish antiques, French Country, early American, Art Deco, European classical

Upholstery

• Velvets and petite chenilles that look like velvet

• Animal skin patterns

• Metallic threads

• Faux leathers

• Designs include paisley, brocade, leaves

• Colors both edgy and comfortable from copper and bronze to pale mineral blue, mocha shades and emerald green

• Contemporary category expanding

Natuzzi's Maine sofa substitutes a leather cover for microfiber in a neutral color palette.

Though the color palette has warmed for leather home furnishings, traditional brown still is a best-seller, like this sectional from Bernhardt.

The Adamas wood credenza by Taylor King features a soft color palette and ornate floral scroll design.

From Emerson et Cie's Prodigy Collection, the table desk features a hand-planed oak plank top with barley twist legs and a geometric stretcher, combining antique styling from the Louis XIII-inspired line with modern function.

Lexington Home Brands debuted the Trump Home Collection during the High Point Market, a licensed full line of furniture from Donald Trump.

Hughes Furniture model 7685 is outfitted in Silas, a traditional paisley pattern from Gumtree; San Marino, a faux leather from Westlake and Suave, a chocolate polyester suede from Morgan Fabrics.

Pure cotton velvet from Italy is printed on a traditional paisley pattern with hints of gold and red, from Ratti at TRS Furniture.