Navigating the Market
Perhaps you’ve heard about going to “market” and what it’s like, but it’s incomprehensible until you delve into the astounding phenomenon.
Huge. Exciting. Stimulating. Overwhelming. Tiring. Motivating. Inspiring.
Based in Atlanta, AmericasMart is one of the world’s largest permanent wholesale trade centers and is housed in three towering buildings, spanning three city blocks and encompassing seven million square feet! Trade show exhibitors rent permanent showrooms as well as temporary booths, making it an extraordinary place to discover vendors for home furnishings, lighting, decor, wall art, rugs and so much more.
Picture buildings with 15 to 20 floors, each accessible by a maze of escalators that seem to drop you off at a different location each time. A single floor resembles a mini mall, and getting pulled toward another fabulous find, which we call “shiny ball syndrome,” kicks in repeatedly, making it difficult to get back on track. Then, add in the fact that there are 24 indoor pedestrian bridges connecting the buildings of the Mart, and it becomes just a little more maze-like.
The perusing of thousands of showrooms provides endless resources for discovering new vendors we otherwise would not have the luxury of visiting in our hometown, and if there’s success, we discover that perfect find for a specific customer (which we also did!).
Trends Seen at Market
There’s an obvious common denominator in 2016’s trends and color choices — it’s organic and natural, peaceful and relaxing, creating an antidote to the stress of modern-day lives.
Soft and Calm Colors
Beautifully arranged vignettes created by top designers provide a glimpse into spectacular rooms and spaces, many featuring Pantone’s 2016 Color of the Year.
Color is a silent language that speaks to you when you walk into any room, and for the first time, Pantone has selected two shades, Rose Quartz (13-1520) and Serenity (15-3919). The harmonious pairing promotes calmness and wellness in a time of chaos and modern-day stress. Rose Quartz presents a soft, sophisticated, feminine shade of pink, making it the perfect hint of warmth and color when paired with understated neutral settings. The cool and tranquil Serenity casts a whisper of purple for elegance. Incorporating this fabulous fusion of colors in upholstery, rugs, bedding, pillows, candles and vases fosters tranquility and contentment.
Gentle whites paired with natural materials are essential components of the organic trend in home furnishings and interior, so it’s no surprise that three major paint brands all selected shades of white as their 2016 Color of the Year.
The Benjamin Moore Color Studio chose Simply White (OC-117) out of more than 250 white selections because, “It stood out from the others as the most neutral, level and constant in the various light sources used in today’s design environments.” Then, Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster (SW 7008) was chosen, proclaiming an era of “visual relief” during a “time of interconnected commotion and overstimulation.” And, even Glidden’s Cappuccino White (45YY74/073) was selected for providing “peaceful spaces in a fast-paced world.”
Less Predictable Patterns
Trending for 2016 is a Bohemian mood that has captured the imagination of product designers, stylists, merchandisers and interior designers. A style that says just be yourself. It encompasses an anything goes vibe, where the rules are few but pattern and texture make all the difference.
Modernized southwestern patterns are “less predictable and precise and are in step with consumers who want customization and singular styles,” said Julie Smith Vincenti, editor of Home Fashion Forecast. Upholstery and accents featuring animal hides or faux fur are go-to pieces, where there is a desire for interesting textures.