New Trends in Home Furnishings - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), August, 2001

A fresh selection of home furnishings are arriving at furniture and home accent stores across the nation, following the conclusion of the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C., in May. Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association, points out that "New products this spring reached around the globe for inspiration, from Australia to Britain, Ireland, France, and Asia." The latest trends and products in home furnishings include:

Asian accents. Asian styling, with its emphasis on simplicity, natural materials, and clean lines, is extremely adaptable and will mix well with a variety of other styles, including contemporary, Mission, and full-blown Oriental.

High-low beds. Consumers have found it challenging to watch television through massive posts or footboards. Manufacturers have responded, with many new beds featuring large headboards paired with low footboards, allowing unobstructed views of the TV while reclining. Even classic sleigh bed styles are offering lower profiles at the foot.

Skins alive. Animal skin looks aren't going away anytime soon, so feel free to indulge your wild, exotic side. Part of their appeal is their versatility. Skin looks, such as leopard and cheetah, work well in a variety of settings, from formal to casual, and with antiques or ultra-contemporary designs and everything in between.

A taste of the tropics. From palm leaves to wicker, rattan, and banana bark, tropical touches are flourishing. As an accompaniment to this tropical look, watch for monkeys to frolic on a variety of items. Monkeys can look classic, contemporary, or whimsical, depending on the product and setting.

Lots of leather. Despite problems with foot-and-mouth and mad cow diseases--and the resulting fears of price hikes--leather is still much in favor as an upholstery cover, as well as an accent for beds and other wooden furniture.

More mixed materials. Eclecticism still reigns supreme. Traditional materials such as wood, metal, and glass are being mixed with exotic materials like bark, twigs, fossil stone, split cane, crushed bamboo, and coconut shell.