My last High Point Market wrap up focused on the color infusion that was over the top refreshing in the fall 2015 High Point, NC. This post will highlight examples of how our furniture industry is stepping up to the plate after experiencing a “trend stagnation.” This void was the result of the painful and unending effects of the recession according to Jenny Heinzen York, Editor in Chief of Home Accents Today.

WHEW! This is my reaction seeing the  MANY new trends excitedly observed from manufacturers who finally have gained back their economic confidence. I loved seeing High Point Market strutting their well earned attitude of “see it here first” historic history of THE trend announcers for our industry.

American Leather
As any of you know that follow me on my sites, I am admittedly designer fanatical about functional practicality in comfort, multipurpose, “bullet proof” fabrics, ergonomics, and, of course, design appropriate for all ages but especially for the 50+.

In the American Leather showroom were innovative and beautiful products reflecting all these atttributes that are so valued and actually being demanded by todays consumers.

This is obviously not your “Archie Bunker” recliner in its modernistic design and sophistication. I test drove it myself and can honestly say I would buy this recliner that’s ergonomically comfortable for me or Bob-Bob.

The reasons I was so impressed is stated in this press release that is not just marketing. It is all true.

Now, this may look like just another red sofa so often seen in many places.  We all know how sofa beds often sacrifice seating comfort to house the bed mechanism. This sofa, however, holds a hidden gem of a bed.
Here are the amazing details:

American Leather’s Comfort Sleeper™ is not only a gorgeous piece of furniture,
it’s the only sleeper with the Tiffany 24/7™ Sleep System.
The patented mechanism opens and closes almost effortlessly, with solid platforms that provide even support with no bars, no springs, and no sagging.

Every Comfort Sleeper is available in King, Queen Plus, Queen,
Full, Twin, Cot and Double Cot. It’s also available with three mattress options: 
     1) Tempur-Pedic®, world-renowned, 2) Gel, a little on the softer side and
3) Premier, a little on the firmer side and covered with Crypton.
Your guests will never want to leave!

Ambella Home
I wish you all could have heard the comments from our group viewing the Ambella Home showroom. These pieces were so fantastic, so entrenched in details, so timeless and classic with a contemporary twist due to the genius work of  their product designer and fabric expert. This team has done their homework and if grades were given out, without a doubt, they would get straight A’s!

Now really. Is this another showstopper bar stool piece or what?

One of my favs was this soft buttery leather comfy and smart club chair and ottoman for any room. As Laurel Bern commented on my last post, we did indeed see this market beautifully scaled down furniture pieces for the needs of today’s trend for smaller footprint living spaces. Please note, I am stating the TREND that is  happening for smaller living spaces. I can hear my Texas friends now saying, “not here!” 🙂

I wanted to show you this fabulous wing chair from all angles but I had to stop myself. For anyone scaling down whether downsizing or whatever, way cool pieces like this chair certainly would add that wow factor to anyone’s existing furniture collection. 

See what I mean about the lovely selection of designer fabrics? Ambella Home used fabrics  in such a way that even a basic classic chair becomes just the touch needed for a neutral room or to add drama to rooms with solid furniture pieces.

Pinnacle

Walking into the Pinnacle showroom, we had demonstrated to our group the most spectacular ergonomic and motorized futuristic furniture design that most of us had not experienced. I was so fascinated, as seen in this video clip that my blog tour friend Ronique Gibson shot, that I failed to give you more furniture pics. My bad, but I had so much fun!

I hope you can read their mission statement. Truly a profoundly worded  company goal that so spoke to my own philosophy. I firmly believe, as certainly others do as well, design makes a difference and our home absolutely affects our quality of life.

Our own Vanna White (Lynn Byrne) showing the comfort of this Pinnacle sofa. But not seen was with a simple touch and with no grunting and groaning, this bed opened up so easy! And take note of the design. No seat cushions to heap someone which is always a drag.

Bernhardt Furniture Company
And now, here we are in the so loved and respected, Bernhardt showroom. This is one stop most designers put on their market schedule each and every market. You will soon see why as Heather Eidenmiller and Stephanie Lowder give the guided tour through this vast showroom. Each market, their designers and stagers knock it out of the park!

There are so many details here to absorb. Notice the textures of smooth in the metals, the nubby linen like fabrics, mirrors, lucite, even the crown molding is exactly scaled and painted to perfection. This is all to enhance this Bernhardt fabulous bed, bench, paired with mirrored nite stands. 

More than once I have claimed on social media, “I want this divine bench!” Just look at those legs with the acrylic chrome combo. OMG!

Bernhardt took the metal trend one step further by placing an emphasis on the artisanal craft of metalworking. Above, their Barcelona sideboard is crafted by meticulously carving out reclaimed teak. The result is then hand clad with German silver, a mix of nickel, copper, and zinc, which emphasizes the intricately carved details. A piece that is not only a showstopper, but is also very durable.

Have you ever seen stack tables like these? Chrome is combined with this gorgeous stone, then used on demi-lune shaped tables to wow any room or again, ”kick it up a notch.”

Now we see see how these tables, layered with the blue area rug, highlight the blue in the stone along with coordinating with the geometric blues and creams in the pillow fabric. So like I said, such attention to every detail is what we all love and appreciate about Bernhardt each and every market.

Stay tuned for my third and final post that recaps my fantastic experience at High Point Market as part of the Design Bloggers Tour this fall.