by Having just completed the High Point October market, it was clearly evident to me that the upper-end vendors are gearing up for what I think, they believe, will be a very favorable 2025 in terms of a resurgence of business. The promotional vendors probably still face some headwinds with still-high mortgage interest rates, little wage increases to re-peak furniture buying at base-level prices, and inflation that has siphoned off discretionary budgets for home furnishings.
Luxury-level vendors aren’t as challenged with these obstacles as their consumer has money and also, they will get the windfall of the baby boomers soon leaving their estates to the Gen Xers. All that said, many of the better-end showrooms were abuzz with designers, design firms and independent retailers who sell this channel.
A particular stand-out star I witnessed was luxury stationary upholstery. It was easy to see many of the creative minds in product development were ready to “push the envelope” again and take chances, on color, style and shape. I think the past few years a lot of these
vendors had to take safe bets as their business slowed and companies had to whittle down their assortments as they retracted their capacities with fewer employees in factories, less raw material assortments on hand, etc. …
Take a look at what I saw!
The Cassiano slipcover sofa from Classic Home is available in 27 custom fabrics with a nice single seat cushion that is down filled. It has a deep comfortable sit, as a relaxed casual luxury statement piece.
The updated English club-style Hartley sofa by Universal Furniture is shown in a fashionable emerald green velvet cover. Love the tootsie roll accent pillows as well as the gradient plaid gray corresponding pillows!
The Adele sofa by Eureka Ergonomics features a soft velvet cover and interesting cloud-inspired shape. This 141-inch monster frame will fill a living room, offering a nice pitch on the back for “lounge” style seating.
Color steals the show at Wesley Hall, one of the most fun showrooms to shop! The high-curved-back Aurora sofas are shown in medium blue fabric with interesting ottomans and throw pillows with splashy colors.
Uttermost showed its medium-size, tight-back Big Bend sofa group. The 87-inch sofa is shown in a whimsical “Baltic Forest”
blue print fabric. It is displayed with a fun corresponding accent chair which is in a new “tweedy” chenille blue cover.
The Sennon sofa group by Alder & Tween is shown in a (real) natural sheep skin fur. It has a super soft hand with a curved back design and deep seating in and around the arms.
The Dalton collection by Norwalk features this medium-sized sofa chaise with an abridged English-style arm and a fun curved end
chaise. The well-tailored group also features muted legs and loose back cushions.
The large-scale Cameron sofa by Bernhardt features a sculpted track arm. It was shown with terra cotta / plum colored accent chairs, which was the hot new color at market!
The Hudson Valley Settee by Stickley Furniture features an expertly sewn seat, back and pillows, which bring the colorful flower pattern front and center.
The Grand Avenue collection by Eicholtz features the oversized modular Grand Avenue “pit” group shown in a large setting, making this a major statement piece. Fun occasional pieces add visual eye candy to the display of this monster configuration.
The large modular Menton sectional by Theodore Alexander is shown in a chunky chenille fabric, offering both texture and complementing the shape of the frame, which also features a Gray Oak base. Also check out the boucle swivel chairs wrapped in burled wood. Gorgeous!
The Menlo Park curved sectional by American Leather is shown in a deep burgundy/purple velvet fabric. It was designed as an update by Rick Lee as a homage to an older, award-winning design. A real show stopper!
Home News Now contributor Nick Byers has been an industry sales representative for more than 15 years.
I loved seeing so much more color and customization this market. Thank you for your insights.
Great article, agree with the companies that you showcased and their introductions, would like to add one more that I thought did a great job with colour , pattern and texture Burton James.