by Sandra Meineke
Call it whatever you like—“nesting in,” “cocooning” or “waiting to see what happens with the economy—Americans are sticking close to home and spending less on travel and
entertainment. Exhibitors at High Point Market hope that translates into a boon
for the furniture market.
High Point Market in North Carolina, the largest furniture market in the U.S.,
celebrates its 100th anniversary this month with hundreds of manufacturers and
thousands of buyers expected to attend. Special entertainment
and commemorative souvenirs will mark the event, but expect the celebration to
be eclipsed by the furniture displays themselves.
“The Market Authority will have special materials out in celebration,” said Heinz Kattenfeld, manager of one of the major multi-tenant showroom
buildings that showcases contemporary furniture.
“We’re doing less than we normally would have because of the economy. Like everyone,
we
’ve had to cut back.”
Kattenfeld said the luxury furniture market hasn’t experienced the effects of the economic
Global Furniture USA combines neutral and brown tones in a simplistic setting
for an open, friendly feel.
v This table, entitled Dinner for Four, comes from the Design Institute of
America. Tempered oval glass tops are fused to individual stainless steel
seating disks, finished in soft silver.
downturn as much as lower end sales, but overall, the market is thriving—particularly for casual living products.
Leif Petersen, owner of a California sales company that represents several
high-end contemporary furniture manufacturers, says,
“It is clear that everyone is affected by the current economic situation.” However, Petersen feels that the current slowdown in spending can benefit
manufacturers if they take advantage of it.
“It is an opportunity for the dealers to ‘clean up’ and re-evaluate their goals, to put themselves in a stronger and leaner
position,
” he said.
According to a study by the Sheffield School of Design, the “cocoon boom,” which initially began after Sept. 11, 2001, has transformed the home into a
family sanctuary and hideaway.
“Uncertain economy, the rise of natural disasters, persistent war conflicts and
terrorist threats has resulted in the further insulation of people within their
home cocoons. This cocoon lifestyle has given a boom to
… the furniture industry, since more and more people turn to home entertainment
and dinner parties instead of going out.
”
What To Look For
Some specific trends to look for at market are color, fabric and shape. Light
woods, like oak, cherry and birch, are still in demand. The most popular
upholstery materials are wool, cotton and leather.
Petersen says, “The current trend we notice is that while dominant pieces such as tables, case
goods and shelving remain rather strict in the shapes, we recently have seen a
number of interesting color and material combinations. We are all about
contemporary and have promoted this for many years. In recent years we have
seen an increase in demand for original, modern contemporary products, and we
continue to introduce the best of what Italy has to offer in furniture design,
as no one really understands the combination of fashion and design better than
the Italians.
”
The main characteristic of contemporary furniture today is its understatement.
The casual lifestyle of most Americans demands multi-functional furniture with
non-cluttered design and extended seating capacity.
But, as a general rule, homeowners are expressing their own creativity in
furnishings and are no longer dictated to by trends. Furniture in the modern
home tends to be more eclectic
—a combination of contemporary and vintage pieces accented by exotic art. People
look for items that display a strong sense of personal style and make them feel
good.
