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Build by Design: High Point Market 2019 Highlights

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the event professional interior designers love, and see what’s new for 2020

Lauren O'Donnell

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen, island and stools. Round pendant lighting.

Twice a year we make the long trek from California to North Carolina for the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world. From the travel to the time change, it isn’t easy but High Point Market is definitely worth it. Getting to see all the new introductions, upcoming trends and styles, and endless inspiration makes for an invaluable experience for any interior design professional. This year’s Fall market was another success, full of fun new design spotlights that we are sure to see more of in the coming year.

High Point Market Trends for 2020

Curves for Days

Retro kitchen with round white dining table and rose gold metal chairs.

It was an endless arena of curves and rounded edges! From oval shaped dining tables to curved back chairs, these softer lines were definitely on prominent display. It was a nice complement to straighter, more contemporary lines — in fact a perfect pairing for a more unique and elevated look. Not only a beautiful design element, rounded edges have always been helpful for tighter spaces as well, as they allow for more space to maneuver around.

Brown is Back

Beige couch, brown leather mid century style accent chair, wood pendant.

Brown is making its comeback and in all the right ways! Over the past few years (or even more), it’s been all about the lighter woods and gray finishes. We knew it was bound to happen but brown is finally reappearing and it was a breath of fresh air. The warmer woods and brown colors are a beautiful neutral complement to the grays and light woods as they were mixed together and combined independently.

Caning

Coffee table, dresser, accent chair and coffee table with caned accents.

Caning is a beautiful detail that is making its way back in all its glory. Seeing the details combined with woods for a contemporary style has been exciting. The mix of textures and materials is a common trend so this twist was definitely welcomed. We are already seeing it used a lot in custom cabinetry as well as furniture pieces.

Dimensional Wood Furniture

Gold wood coffee table and accent table with textured geometric pattern.

Texture, texture, texture. Everything stood out when it came to casegoods. Raised details — from stacked ridges to intricate geometric patterns — were showcased on buffets, coffee tables, and mirrors. Nothing was plain-Jane. There were so many statement pieces, yet they were still subtle due to the use of one wood material. We aren’t just using decor to give life to a space, instead every piece of furniture has the opportunity to pop on its own. Whether it is a small side table or sideboard, there were so many options that really showed some amazing craftsmanship.

Key Takeaways from High Point Market

Large pendants with black shades, marble top kitchen island. Black tub.

The list could go on for days (I mean High Point Market has over 10 million square feet of exhibitors), but one last thing that always comes to mind is how these trends translate into kitchen and bath design (being that it is a specialty of mine). My biggest takeaway is that kitchens and bathrooms just continue to become a piece of the home versus just functional spaces. I’m talking about cabinetry that looks like furniture, gorgeous light fixtures that make a statement, and the artistic mix of textures, colors, and materials. Like many, I always say that the kitchen is the heart of the home but now I like to think that the kitchen is also the ART of the home.