High Point Market: 2017 Trend Trackers – Part III

Rounding out our three-part Blog series on High Point Market highlights, designer Yelena Gerts—principal of House of Style & Design in Holmdel — shares some of her favorite finds and her take on what’s trending in home fashions.

Find Yelena here www.houseofstyleinteriors.com; and on Instagram Houseofstyle_design

Yelena Gerts

Design NJ: Do you have a signature style?

Yelena Gerts: My design mantra is “livable everyday luxury with style and function.”

DNJ: What brings you to High Point? Do you attend biannually or annually?

YG: I attend High Point market twice a year. I feel that it’s my duty and obligation to bring my clients all the latest and most stylish products in furniture, accessories and home decor. Fall market is my personal favorite because many manufacturers come out with new collections in furniture and experiment with new colors and textures.

Since I love to work with many different styles, I feel High Point Market is the right place to be when it comes to all the new trends in color, textiles, scale, and technology that is forever changing! It’s not only the place to see the pretty things, but also an opportunity to sit on literally every piece of furniture and learn how each piece is made or what goes into the construction.

Very often I go outside of town to visit some of my most-used manufacturers and tour their facilities to get a first-hand look at the process from beginning to end.

I also attend quite a few seminars on sales, design and market trends and learn from other successful designers. My favorite part, of course, is the ability to connect with all my sales reps, as well as virtual and real design friends from all over the world.

DNJ: What are some of your go-to-showrooms?

YG: For furniture and new trends, it’s Bernhardt. To me, it’s the most stylish and trend-forward showroom at market. I literally want to buy everything. I may be Bernhardt’s biggest fan:)

A favorite find: Hand-cut tiled inlay table in black and white from Bernhardt

In terms of color, Global Views had a variety of color palettes in different vignettes displayed throughout. They are bold, creative and so much fun.

For the most artistic category, I give my vote to the Roberta Schilling Collection. Every piece of art and furniture is a conversation piece.

Curved velvet sofa in a trending green tone from Roberta Schilling

As for newcomers, Eichholtz is making a big entrance in the American market. Their products are super-glamorous and very edgy.

DNJ: What were some of the recurring themes or trends?

YG: BLACK AND WHITE

With Crypton fabric being so popular these days, it was very refreshing to see upholstery pieces in light, almost white looking fabrics in every showroom. Paired with black and white pillows, rugs and accent chairs, it was a new twist on “black and white.” I love how versatile the color scheme is. It could look elegant and minimalistic or very casual and fun at the same time. Black and white art, tribal-looking area rugs and ottomans were definitely the point of conversation this market.

Left: Bernhardt sectional covered in a worry-free high-performance fabric
Right: Wall art from Bassett Mirror

TRIBAL TREND

It was very interesting to see the new tribal trend evolving within the black and white category: a much softer, more organic and casual “black and white” version. I cannot wait to incorporate it in my work.

Rug from Jaipur

FLORALS

I am obsessed with this look! It’s fun, bold and colorful. If done correctly, it could look so chic and playful.

Chic, floral-upholstered bench from Ambella Home

COLOR CUES

• Bold colors made a huge statement this fall, from rich shades of blues and greens to about 50 different shades of pink. I especially enjoyed seeing so many beautiful sofas in green and blue velvets.

Deep green velvet sofa from Gabby

• Pink, my favorite color is making a debut in the interior design world. I have never seen so many beautiful shades of pink in upholstery, art, wall coverings, flooring, lighting and bedding.

• Blue was still going strong this market. It just got a little softer, with more contemporary hues and warm undertones.

Left: A combo of warm and steely blue tones in the Lillian August Modern Living showroom.
Right: Highly-textured bedding display in a range of blues in Bernhardt showroom.

• Green, a gorgeous color known for its royal appeal, was a big hit this fall. When paired with white, brown or gold it creates a very luxurious look.

Left: Green tufted ottoman and deep-seated sectional from Wesley Hall
Right: Mixed media wall art from Cotyledon

TEXTURES 

Attention to detail was really spectacular this season. From casual and relaxed organic looms, to modern shagreen textures to feathers and leather fringe—it was all there. Faux, furry chairs and ottomans were one of my favorite textures. So cozy and fun.

DNJ: Any other prominent materials?

YG:

• Marble: I saw a lot of marble surfaces, not only in case goods but also in lighting.
• Metals: Brass is still going strong.
• Leather: From fringe on chairs to leather chandeliers, it was literally everywhere.
• High-performance fabrics: Crypton and Sunbrella were introduced in almost every upholstery line. It brings peace-of-mind for clients who buy lighter fabrics for their family rooms.

DNJ: We’ve seen a rise in smaller-scaled furniture in recent years for consumers who opt to downsize, maintain apartments or townhomes. What were your findings?

YG: Lately, I’ve been getting so many requests for larger-scale furniture such as extra deep sectionals and super large coffee tables. It’s been a real challenge…up until now. This market I was happy to see larger scale furniture in many beautiful shapes, like curvy sofas and beautiful back details on chairs and sectionals.

Captivating details allow Nathan Anthony’s large-scaled white leather sofa to float in a room

Catch up with High Point Market: Trend Trackers Part 1 here featuring designer Nancy Mikulich, and High Point Market: Trend Trackers Part 2 here featuring Michael Mariotti!