Houston Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Oct 2009: Home Design2

Consumers are also taking a look at lustrous, metallic-like fabrics. “These fabrics give the look of spun silver or gold or bronze or platinum,” says Alex Shuford III, vice president of upholstery for Century Furniture. “They work equally well on modern or more traditional frames.”

Vintage colors and Renaissance and Gothic influences such as fringes, tassels and trimmings are being mixed with leather, lavish fabrics and mounds of pillows.

Every generation has its own style, and it’s now permissible to mix and match fabrics, woods and even architectural elements to achieve that style. For instance, an Asian screen or chest can be used to showcase distinctly American wood furniture. The Asian look has long been a favorite of buyers who appreciate the balance and harmony it creates, but now, the use of bamboo is bringing Asian pieces to the forefront once again. “Bamboo is really big right now,” says Shuford. “It’s a natural offshoot of the ‘green’ outlook everyone is talking about, and it’s also wonderfully stylish.”

Dining

The dining area can be drawn into the mix to give family living space a cohesive feel. Whether you have a classic dining table and chairs in a separate room or casual seating in the family room next to the kitchen, fabrics, colors and accessories can be used to tie the areas together and emit feelings of welcoming, relaxing warmth.

Furniture manufacturers are also answering the call of consumers to “go green,” and High Point market will have many green designs on display for dealers to purchase. In addition to bamboo, watch for recycled steel coils and frames, pillows stuffed with soy-based foam and recycled plastics, domestic woods from sustainable forests and water-based paints and stains. l