High Point Market: 2017 Trend Trackers Part I
Fresh back from their trip to High Point Market in North Carolina, three New Jersey-based designers were tasked with reporting some of their favorite finds, trends or discoveries from the largest furnishings trade show in the world. With over 11.5-million square feet and more than 2,000 exhibitors throughout 180 buildings to explore, you can say they’ve walked the walk! We share their highlights from the Fall 2017 market in a three-part blog series.
Nancy Mikulich
First up is designer Nancy Mikulich, principal designer and owner of NLM Design Interiors and Oasis Home in Asbury Park. Find her here: www.nlmdesigns.com; www.oasishomedesigns.com; and on Instagram OasisHomeDesigns.
Design NJ: What would you say is your signature style or design mantra?
Nancy Mikulich: My design sensibility is grounded in materials and styles that endure. I prefer timeless classic styles then I play with scale in unique unpredictable applications and combinations. The spaces I design are comfortable and fresh, with an emphasis on clean lines and playfulness. My store, Oasis Home in Asbury Park, emphasizes a coastal chic vibe, with touches of Asian, midcentury, industrial and glam.
DNJ: What brings you to High Point? Do you typically attend biannually?
NM: I have regularly attended High Point for many years. My High Point attendance typically revolves around both my clients’ projects and sourcing my retail store. I prefer to attend the Fall market, as most of my projects are initiated in the first part of the year. By attending the Fall market, I get a first-hand look at the new products scheduled for availability at the same time as when new projects begin.
DNJ: What are some of your go-to showrooms?
NM: Many showrooms provide inspiration. Some of my must-see showrooms for sourcing client projects and retail store merchandise are: Bernhardt Furniture, Chaddock Furniture, EJ Victor, Hooker Furniture, Jonathan Charles, Tomlinson and Visual Comfort lighting. There are also many new up-and-coming boutique-like furniture manufacturers who launch at High Point. Some of these vendors showcase new trends emerging from overseas that are later adopted by the larger American manufacturers a few seasons later—not unlike the fashion industry.
DNJ: Were there any trends that particularly stood out?
NM: While coastal/industrial chic styling is still on trend, styles are getting more layered and mixed with either midcentury lines or with lush glamorous fabrics and gold tones. The mixing of the rustic metals with polished gold and satin brass elevates the industrial look and grounds the glamorous.
Bernhardt, in particular, is integrating a real coastal chic vibe as well as using a lot of black and white motifs, which really speaks to both urban and coastal styling.
Bernhardt Furniture Company
New romantic large-scale florals are beginning to trend on accent walls and fabrics. This is a throwback to the mid-1980s with deep rich colors such as burgundy, black, crème, deep blues and pinks.
Left: Bernhardt Furniture showroom | Right: Wall decor from Leftbank Art
DNJ: Other observations?
NM: This past market I drew so much inspiration from the unique application of materials. One example is the use of buckles as ornamentation at Wesley Hall.
Krissa Chair is shown in Giles Charcoal with “Bridle Banding Treatment” by Wesley Hall
Hardware as jewelry can be used to dress up even the simplest of furnishings, and the nicest hardware I saw was from Addison Weeks, who designed hardware with a variety of metals, textures and semiprecious gemstones in classic shapes.
Hardware/knobs from Addison Weeks
When it comes to technological advances in the home furnishings world, “There is an App for That”…. Hooker Furniture has come out with a blue tooth application for controlling motion furniture such as recliners from your phone. And, from the “Why didn’t I think of that” file, Wildwood Lamps has now integrated USB ports into their lamp bases, which cleans up the clutter on your nightstand or desk.
Wildwood Lamps
DNJ: Every market introduces a variety of celebrity collections, licensing partnerships or brand extensions. What piqued your interest?
NM: There have been some new and interesting celebrity designer partnerships launched. Thom Filicia has been very busy designing product for Vanguard Furniture and now for Wendover Art, where some of my favorite pieces were shown. Specifically, he is experimenting with drone photography that would work beautifully in any contemporary or transitional space.
Left: Thom Filicia for Wendover Art | Designer duo: Thom Filicia with Nancy Mikulich
Jonathan Charles has partnered with designer Calvin Churchill for a new line of Asian-inspired furnishings, which are truly the most authentic and high-quality pieces that I have seen in many years.
Calvin Churchill for Jonathan Charles
Tomlinson has a new oversized sectional designed by Barry Darr Dixon where the corner seat has been redesigned so it is no longer a wasted sitting area.
Tomlinson sectional
Libby Langdon, whose upholstery we feature in the store, has now partnered with KAS Rugs, developing a line of affordable area rugs, great for family rooms and kid spaces.
Libby Langdon for KAS Rugs
Speaking of glamorous partnerships, now more than ever there are strategic alliances between industries creating interesting furniture trends. For example, Fine Furniture Design has partnered with Veranda magazine taking inspiration from the fashion world with a new chic design line called “Runway.”
Veranda Collection for Fine Furniture
Fashion design firm, Badgley Mischka Home has launched a line of furniture that uses a lot of rich, textured feminine colored fabrics and polished gold metals, and as an accessory, offering matching pet food bowls to blend in with the chicest of households.
Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badgley Mischka Home. Polished metals and chic coordinating dog bowls.
All in all, #HPMKT2017 was at once extensive and inspiring!
Catch up with High Point Market: Trend Trackers Part 2 here featuring Michael Mariotti, and High Point Market: Trend Trackers Part 3 here featuring designer Yelena Gerts!