Dear Jean and Richard, The High Point Market was back in October. Here we are in December and I’ve seen nothing about it in your column. Did you guys go this time? --Jennifer, Boca Raton, FL

Jean: Hi Jennifer. Yes, we went. It’s really the only way to see what will be eventually featured in catalogs and magazines six months or more from now. As we have reminded our readers in the past, The High Point Market is the new name for the International Home Furnishings Market, the most important trade show for home furnishings around the world, spread over 80 buildings devoted expressly to the trade.
Richard: Not a Market goes by that we don’t witness some poor soul who has heard about the furniture market and driven for miles and miles to attend, only to be turned away because they don’t own a furniture store or have designer credentials. And that’s why we share what the latest trends are with our readers.
Jean: Well, having said all that, the so-called trends aren’t really so fresh this year. You can catch a glimpse of what we saw if you can get your hands on a Restoration Hardware catalog, which features furniture and accessories typical of what everyone seems to be unveiling. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Savvy?

Richard: Pretty much. To your point, there is the color gray everywhere. Grayed woods—the kind that’s reclaimed or finished to look old—heavy burlap-looking fabrics in natural shades, and rustic metals that are deliberately blemished. New antiques, if you will. Some of those antique reproductions even had rusty metal hardware.
Jean: Well, that’s not to say Restoration Hardware is all gray. But the look of reclaimed materials was dominant. That heavy, coarse linen that reminds you of burlap also came in subtle colors like cream and taupe, and some even had writing on it, as if the chair was upholstered with old French feed bags.
Richard: What’s a French feed bag? Whatever. I saw what looked like oil cloth—or maybe a truck tarp—used to upholster a sofa. But I don’t think it was French.
Jean: The point is there was a mixture of rustic treatments everywhere we looked. There were also some dark-stained woods mixed in with painted woods—sometimes on the same cabinet. Occasionally we saw shiny hardware—even chrome—used to complement the dull finishes, as if to say “we meant to do that.”
Richard: I noticed in the lighting department there were lots of sea green glass and even mercury glass—again to achieve that old look.
Jean: Well, along with the sea green glass there were sea influenced themes—things like shells and coral—ornamenting lamps and mirrors. Some of the fabrics featured them as well.
Richard: Mostly, we’re talking about the trendy stuff, and most of that is high end. There’s still a market for matchy-matchy furniture, like bedroom suites, for example. But I’m noticing a different kind of trend—maybe it’s a retailing trend—that places the matchy stuff at the lower end.
Jean: I agree with you, but there will always be a market for the masses who shop at warehouse stores. What I think you’re saying is that the old way of thinking about quality furniture is to have it all match, and the new way of thinking is to mix it all up. Of course, if you know what you’re doing you can mix up the less expensive stuff, too.
Richard: I know that look. It’s called “Dorm Room.”