Jul 13, 2012

Five Color Palettes and 80+ Products Selected For “Open House” Trend Preview at Summer 2012 NYIGF

The inaugural “Open House” project, to be presented at the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), moves one step closer to fruition with Pantone’s identification of five fresh color palettes and One Kings Lane’s selection of 80+ products, both of which best support key home design trends identified by editors from Sandow Media’s Home Textiles Today and Home Accents Today. The five design trends, ranging from nostalgic American motifs to modern print statements, will be showcased with their corresponding colorways in a curated display, August 18-22 at NYIGF; and a related educational session will explore home design, color and commerce trends.

“Open House provides buyers with a look into the future,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “The product display uses actual products being introduced to the market to exemplify trends that are gaining importance in the industry.” (NOTE: Click here to view description and colorways for each trend.)

The first of the five trends, American Vintage, is heavy on nostalgia, merging classic motifs like denim, patchwork, numbers and flags with distressed finishes, salvaged materials and schoolroom style. The theme’s color palette includes shades of blues, green and gray, identified by Pantone names: Amazon, Bright White, Mars Red, Micro Chip, Oil Yellow, Peppercorn, Stonewash, Turkish Sea and Vintage Indigo. Featured products within American Vintage include: a recycled herringbone wool throw and cushion by Nkuku; a shadow box with a vintage U.S. flag design by Halo Styles; and polished brass tabletop telescope by Authentic Models.

The minimalist and streamlined French Moderne Way look brings to life elegant French design, blending rich materials and exotic elements. The color palette includes muted neutrals and traditional dark blues and reds, named: Almost Mauve, Crown Blue, Gray Morn, Parisian Night, Rose Taupe, Silver, Sparrow, Tibetan Red and White Swan. Featured products within the French Moderne Way include: Lotus Santal triple-milled soap by Thymes and the Le Soleil glass table lamp with a burlap shade by the Jamie Young Company.

Ethnic looks from the entire North African region are merging and making an appearance via The Marrakesh Express theme. The aged color story, set against distressed finishes and richly-aged patina metal surfaces, includes: Antique Moss, Cloudburst, Deep Mahogany, Fir Green, Mecca Orange, Moonstruck, Morel, Red Dahlia, Rooibos Tea and Stormy Weather. Featured products within Marrakesh Express include: the hand-hammered stainless steel Riviera Vase by Mary Jurek Design Inc.; hand embroidered Kashmiri cushions by Nkuku; and the Lucky metal lamp by the Jamie Young Company.

The Linen Revival theme emphasizes a “dry” hand, with rough linens that look hand-loomed; two-color tweeds; and animal patterns such as zebra and alligator wovens. The colors reach beyond light neutrals, and include Arabian Spice, Caramel Café, Deep Well, Hemp, Orange Pepper, Papyrus, Seal Brown and Toasted Coconut. Featured products within Linen Revival include: 100% silk runner placemats and napkins hand-woven in Ethiopia by Creative Women; a canvas and leather table lamp by the Jamie Young Company; and rustic linen cushions and linen journals by Nkuku.

The Graphic Modern look is grounded by strong print statements with “pop,” often rendered in just one or two colors. The jewel-toned colors representing this theme include Bosphorus, Cayenne, Evening Blue, Gloxinia, Green Sheen, Jazzy, Sodalite Blue, Tender Shoots and Wild Aster. Featured products within Graphic Modern include: hand blown glass pouring bowls and flower vases from Two Tone Studios LLC; the Chevron jacquard shawl by String Theory; and the Memphis tea towel sets by Fotofolio/Artpost.

On Sunday, August 19, from 8:30-9:30AM, a related seminar, titled “Open House – What’s Hot in Home Design?” will explore trends influencing home products – from materials and color to commerce and branding. Warren Shoulberg of Sandow Media will moderate the panel discussion, which includes Susan Feldman, One Kings Lane co-founder and chief merchandising officer, and Laurie Pressman, Pantone Vice President Fashion, Home + Interiors. Tickets, which cost $20 advance/$25 onsite, are available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800+ exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. The summer market takes place Saturday, August 18, through Wednesday, August 22, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.