High Point Furniture Market 2009 Preview

The trends will undoubtedly be more eco-friendly products. Energy efficient lighting options, sustainable materials, as well as recycled materials will be showing up in nearly every product line. Woods such as bamboo and mahogany will dominate the field. Reclaimed oak will be shown in more distressed looks. You will also see exotic materials in the form of mango wood or woven sea grasses as durable furniture pieces.

This year's market will undoubtedly show more eco-friendly products. Sustainable materials and energy efficient lighting will be strong contenders from nearly every line as the industry continues to follow current interior trends. An intriguing lamp by Yanko Design features a crank handle in which a few turns creates 40-60 minutes of bright light using a process of magnetic induction.

Fashion and interiors continue to influence each other greatly, and expect to see plenty of bright, candy coated colors - yellow, orange and grass green will be the trendy tones. The new neural palette of softer grays will have a large impact - taupe, blue-gray, and pale icy tones will also be prevalent. Brown is still as popular as ever, and will be accented with earthy reds and warmer grays. Metallic tones will be everywhere, including fabrics and leather.

Fashion and interiors have become much more hand and hand in recent years, reflecting similar trends. Beading, feathers, ruffles, and other embellishments are showing up on lighting, accent tables, and accessories in addition to the fabric lines. Yellow will be a strong color of choice this year, as well as earthy purples, and glass-like tones of gray, blue, and sea green.

Decorative accents are being billed as the must-have investment pieces of 2009. Shiny, embellished, metallic finishes such as the leather shown on Hancock and Moore's Margo Ottoman add flash and flair to an otherwise staid room. Hand embroidered textiles and hand-worked trim add artsy value with a bohemian touch. The idea is to update your interior decorating with small items rather than a complete redo.

Plenty of embellishments are showing up on lighting, accent tables, and accessories in addition to the fabric lines. Watch for ruffles, feathers, beading, sequins, and metallic trims to glitz up otherwise ordinary pieces.

With the economic downturn, many companies are touting smaller, decorative items and accent pieces as their go-to items. Hand embroidered textiles and beaded trims add an artsy, bohemian flair. The theory is to update your interiors with small items rather than a complete redo.

The minimal transitional approach that has been so popular in recent years is starting to give way to richer, more organic forms. We are seeing more texture and depth in wood finishes - hand planing and distressed surfaces contrast greatly from the perfect edges we'd come so used to . This is a welcome change from having to treat finishes with kid gloves.

Elements of modern and traditional are becoming more blended to create an interesting, meaningful statement. The hard straight lines of modern upholstery are finally embracing the more comfortable essentials of traditional styles, with softer cushioning and curved edges. Upholstery also becomes more personal as Hickory Chair adds an entire "create your own seating" program that allows for custom arm, skirt, back, base, depth, length, cushion, pillows, and more.

For years the minimal transitional look has been so popular, but is starting to move to a richer, old world, eclectic style. Wood finishes will be hand planed and distressed on the surface for a more uneven look, rather than the perfect edges and sleek finishes that have been the trend. You will still see those styles, but customers are asking for more user friendly surfaces that do not show dings and scratches so easily.

Elements of modern and traditional are becoming increasingly combined to create an interesting and more personal statement. The hard straight lines of modern upholstery are finally embracing the more rounded lines of traditional furniture, with softer cushioning and curved edges.

This is just a taste of things to come, as the 2009 High Point Furniture Market will offer many more innovative products and design.