MARKET TRENDS: Color Stories
We’re seeing a major trend toward soothing neutral hues for big-ticket items like sofas and bedding, while trendy, bright colors are being reserved for accessories, accent pieces, and tabletop fashions.
Gray is the New Neutral
Gray is emerging as the new neutral this market. Today’s manufacturers have dropped the high-luster, metallic finishes that were popular in past seasons, opting for more subtle matte finishes. From slate and charcoal to lavender-infused shades, we’re seeing elegant and simple variations from upholstery to accessories.
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| Pure by Amy McKay | Hickory Chair | Lexington |
White Hot Looks
White is far from basic, appearing in a variety of refined tone-on-tone applications, natural fabrics, and feminine details. Natural fabrics like cottons, linen, and burlap are representing vanilla tones…but so are feminine designs that are full of frills and lace.
 Lillian August at Hickory White |
 Haute House |
 Haute House |
Berries Burst onto the Scene
Berries are bursting onto the color scene this market. Straight from the fashion runways of Paris and London, deep purple and pink hues – from blueberry and aubergine to raspberry and vibrant pink – have begun accessorizing grays, tans, and other neutrals.
 Julian Chichester |
 Robin Bruce |
 Surya |
 Century |
One comment on the “Gray is the New Neutral”- I noticed a strong trend toward metallic glazes, yarns and finishes applied to fabrics in a subtle and elegant way, such as a hint of metallic yarn in a linen or linen-like flat woven body cloth. Or in some cases the metallic element is bold but classy, as in the traditional frame-motif chenilles with a metallic glazing seen at Taylor King, Lane Venture, DR Kincaid and Hickory White.