In January we attended the  Dallas Market where we were focused on purchasing product for Holiday Magic - crazy that we prepare for the fourth quarter all but three months during the summer. It is always fun to see what is new and find out if the product we need to create the themes we have planned is available. This year was completely opposite of last – there were so many new products that we came home with four more themes than we went to market with, and two more trees than last year.

This is definitely the year of tradition, which is no surprise when reflecting on the difficulties our nation felt last year. Red and green were the dominant colors, religious icons were prevalent, fairies were relegated to the forest (we did find some hiding for all the fairy collectors) as angels took over, and Santa has taken back the spotlight from the snowmen. Of the figures not specifically associated with Christmas, the deer was by far the most popular. From traditional to contemporary it is available in every color and finish imaginable – and we bought a multitude for the store because they were so irresistible. Whimsy is very popular, again showing our need to experience a lighter side, and whimsical figures of all kinds can be found, particularly in the pet arena which we will feature again this year.

Our looks for this year are varied, but a few of my favorites are the Mary Englebreit tree, a red, green and black look we are calling American Christmas featuring Jane Seymour’s art, and the entry tree which will be festooned with all shades of burgundy, pink and violet, covered in flowers and the perfect backdrop to the angels which will be flying everywhere. We also have plans to incorporate natural shells into one of the looks, and doing an encore is the fabulous line of realistic stuffed animals that lived on the woodland tree last year. Of course there will be no shortage of birds, butterflies and bugs, and Mark Roberts has created lots of new elves which will have a tree to themselves this year. I could go on and on….. it may sound like a bit of an illness to some, but I can’t wait to start Christmas!

New Vendor:  Swoon Lamps

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of market is seeing what is trending in and out.  The Belgian look has become very dominant since last year.  Its influence has been seen in the shelter magazines for most of last year.  This style can be dressed up or down depending on your lifestyle and has a much lighter feel than some of the trends from the last few years.  I know I have felt the need to ‘lighten up’ my surroundings after the last year.  Even the styles with darker palettes, such as Mediterranean are seeing a shift towards a lighter palette.  One of the aspects I particularly like about the Belgian is how found, collected, and heirloom accessories and furniture can be used in the mix.  Emerging from this look is another which is being called Farmhouse Country.  With a soft palette of pastels verging on lighter midtones, it is fresh, lighter in feel, incorporates many of the icons of American style design, and is a great way to update your current look.  Fitting in with both of these looks are the two colors most dominant at market – blues in the aqua range and pinks flushed with lavender and gray.  Gray is the predominant neutral, and while it has a history of being considered drab, boring and sometimes cold, it is now richer, more exciting and often warmer because of hints of color being added.  As a floral designer, green is considered a neutral because Mother Nature uses it as a backdrop for her beautiful flowers, and therefore from my perspective green, in one of its myriad shades is a neutral that can be blended into any palette.  In interiors however, it is treated as part of the color harmony and therefore should be mentioned as one of the dominant colors at market.  Still extremely popular in all of the yellow-green shades, it has also taken on the blue side of the color wheel and is prominent in every hue and shade of blue-green as it reaches toward the aquas previously mentioned.

Animal prints are still very visible in both apparel and home decor, however they are generally a bit more subtle than in the past, and are often mixed with other finishes and materials.  There is a cross-pollination occurring between contemporary and traditional features within individual accessories and furnishings, which softens the contemporary aspect and gives the traditional a clean, updated feel.  Natural, organic materials and objects are more and more prevalent, used either to soften the hard edges of urban statements or as stand alone features.   Mixing the natural elements into our decor is a reminder that we live in a fragile ecosystem for which we are the caretakers.  Which leads to the eco-friendly products that are becoming a mainstay - whether recycled, reused, and/or renewed all kinds of things are being created for home dÈcor that are environmentally-friendly in production and use.   

 As with styles of decor and other trends, we have become such a global community, with easy access to everything, that it is possible for find a trend for almost anything we want to create.  It is exciting and liberating to be in a time when the choices we make for our homes, reflecting our own personal style can follow the trends so easily.  For most of us, creating an eclectic mix of what we cherish and brings joy into our lives is what is most important and with a little bit of tweaking, it can be right on trend.