5 Decorating Trends at the 2019 Atlanta Furnishings Show
Natural textures, jewel-tone velvets and curvy shapes were among the top looks at the January trade show
Becky Harris
January 14, 2019
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Thousands of designers, store owners and design reporters were hoofing it around the 2019 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market at AmericasMart Atlanta last week, checking out more than 9,000 brands of home furnishings, decor and gifts. This year’s market was alive with a range of textures. Whether a faux-shagreen side table, a hand-stripped leather chandelier, an oyster shell box or geode-topped salt and pepper shakers, it was difficult not to reach out and touch the products on display there. Here are five of the standout trends from the Jan. 8-15 Atlanta market.
1. Layers of Textures
A wide range of textures dominated the Atlanta market, which is wonderful news for home design. Layers of natural and nature-inspired textures make a space decorated in a neutral scheme come alive. There were boxes made of oyster shells and bone inlay, dressers and nightstands wrapped in raffias and linens, hair-on-hide upholstered stools, faux-shagreen trays and faux-horn casework. “Faux shagreen, faux horn and lots of shell textures are very popular with our customers right now,” says Rachel Baughman of Made Goods, a California company that specializes in showstopping statement pieces like the one seen here, the Dallon buffet table in faux shagreen.
Browse faux-shagreen tables in the Houzz Shop
A wide range of textures dominated the Atlanta market, which is wonderful news for home design. Layers of natural and nature-inspired textures make a space decorated in a neutral scheme come alive. There were boxes made of oyster shells and bone inlay, dressers and nightstands wrapped in raffias and linens, hair-on-hide upholstered stools, faux-shagreen trays and faux-horn casework. “Faux shagreen, faux horn and lots of shell textures are very popular with our customers right now,” says Rachel Baughman of Made Goods, a California company that specializes in showstopping statement pieces like the one seen here, the Dallon buffet table in faux shagreen.
Browse faux-shagreen tables in the Houzz Shop
2. Velvet Upholstery and Accents
Another tempting texture seen everywhere at the market was that of a textile: luxurious velvet. Deep jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue were favorites, with ruby pink and topaz yellow also making an appearance. Velvet throw pillows were a favorite too. “Raised velvet patterns, also known as high-low velvet, are one of our most popular fabrics right now,” says Timothy Stroud of Signature Pillows.
Shop for velvet sofas on Houzz
Another tempting texture seen everywhere at the market was that of a textile: luxurious velvet. Deep jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue were favorites, with ruby pink and topaz yellow also making an appearance. Velvet throw pillows were a favorite too. “Raised velvet patterns, also known as high-low velvet, are one of our most popular fabrics right now,” says Timothy Stroud of Signature Pillows.
Shop for velvet sofas on Houzz
3. Strong Curves
In addition to the velvet upholstery in jewel tones on furniture, curves continued to wind their way through the market this year, just as we saw at the 2018 Las Vegas Winter Market. Whether seen in the curves of an elegant piece like the Dior sofa from Taylor Burke Home, seen here, the curved slopes of an armchair’s arms or the wingback shape of a bed’s headboard, strict straight lines gave way to something softer.
Find an interior designer in the Houzz pro directory
In addition to the velvet upholstery in jewel tones on furniture, curves continued to wind their way through the market this year, just as we saw at the 2018 Las Vegas Winter Market. Whether seen in the curves of an elegant piece like the Dior sofa from Taylor Burke Home, seen here, the curved slopes of an armchair’s arms or the wingback shape of a bed’s headboard, strict straight lines gave way to something softer.
Find an interior designer in the Houzz pro directory
4. Handcrafted Items and Artful Pieces
“Everyone wants a story behind a product, so we are definitely seeing a trend toward handcrafted items,” says Lawsen Ricketts, cofounder of Ngala Trading Co., a company specializing in furniture and decor designed in Africa and made of sustainably sourced indigenous African materials. The company’s hand-stripped leather chandeliers — like its Whisper Chandelier, seen here — are handcrafted by South African women.
“Everyone wants a story behind a product, so we are definitely seeing a trend toward handcrafted items,” says Lawsen Ricketts, cofounder of Ngala Trading Co., a company specializing in furniture and decor designed in Africa and made of sustainably sourced indigenous African materials. The company’s hand-stripped leather chandeliers — like its Whisper Chandelier, seen here — are handcrafted by South African women.
5. Relaxed European Simplicity
“We offer our blankets in a range of colors, but the majority of our customers are getting back to basics,” says Mary Maxwell of Brahms Mount, a textile company that uses only natural fibers in its products. “People are drawn to classic whites that lend a relaxed European-bed feel. Not a lot of fussy throw pillows; just simple, neutral linens.”
And for those seeking the stories behind products, Brahms Mount’s is interesting. Its blankets and other textiles are woven from American fibers, including North Carolina cotton, on antique shuttle looms in Monmouth, Maine, continuing the centuries-old textile manufacturing traditions of the region.
“We offer our blankets in a range of colors, but the majority of our customers are getting back to basics,” says Mary Maxwell of Brahms Mount, a textile company that uses only natural fibers in its products. “People are drawn to classic whites that lend a relaxed European-bed feel. Not a lot of fussy throw pillows; just simple, neutral linens.”
And for those seeking the stories behind products, Brahms Mount’s is interesting. Its blankets and other textiles are woven from American fibers, including North Carolina cotton, on antique shuttle looms in Monmouth, Maine, continuing the centuries-old textile manufacturing traditions of the region.
This was the first show in a while that wasn’t dominated by American farmhouse and industrial style. Sightings of elements like rustic rough wood, rusty-crusty finishes, Edison light bulbs and barn lights were few and far between. There were definitely more refined European inspirations influencing country style, with smoother wood surfaces, tailored linen upholstery and Belgian, French and Scandinavian-inspired silhouettes for chairs and sofas.
Your thoughts: Which looks from the Atlanta show do you like best? Please share your favorites in the Comments.
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Your thoughts: Which looks from the Atlanta show do you like best? Please share your favorites in the Comments.
More on Houzz
32 Home Design Trends That Will Rule in 2019
Browse photos for ideas and inspiration
Find a pro for your home project
Shop for home products
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Following trends i.e., farmhouse with its heavy rustic finishes has its drawbacks as when it's out it becomes difficult to transition. Another problem is the shiplap craze which is like the wood panelling of the 70's. And then every place looked the same as if off an assembly line with no room for individuality. For this reason always felt sticking to classics allows for more flexibility if you wish to not be dated.