Refined. textural. Simple. Handmade. Strong. If you’re asked to describe High Point’s trends from early to mid-2014, those are some of the first words that come to mind. It may seem like they are fighting or contradicting each other, and divergent styles and messages were certainly shared, but two or more of those words can be applied across the board essentially.

Beauty and the Beast

Hides, furs, horns, feathers, whether real or replicated, all left their mark. Tables, chests of drawers, consoles and lamp bases were wrapped in hides and hides, both natural and dyed, adding a great textural element. Animal-inspired prints also appeared on textiles, most often in bright colors.

natural order

Keeping with the theme of nature, the wood seems more “raw”. More natural edge finishes, lots of grain and even enhancement of knots and blemishes under simple tints and finishes. Stools and side tables in the shape of tree stumps, both in natural tones and enhanced with a metallic effect. Branches and branches accent lights and cabinets. Driftwood-like items were also in abundance, some of which had been legitimately formed by nature; other pieces were man-made composites.

golden glitter

Perhaps taking the lead from the autumnal changes, there was a noticeable shift to warmer metals: a shimmer of brushed, polished and antique brass and gold tones. It was almost unexpected after the long dominance of chrome and nickel. There were the expected touches, which were presented as table legs, hardware and decorative accessories of all kinds. But there were also plenty of textiles with an underlying iridescence that mimicked that golden glow. Note that mixed metals continue to be produced as well.

beautify myself

The styles were relatively simple in form, but there seemed to be a renewed focus on craftsmanship. It’s the little details that make the difference. Unique and unexpected knobs or handles on storage furniture and cabinets of all kinds. Nailhead styling was prevalent, particularly on dressers, where they were used to create intricate patterns. Tufting, in some cases to the extreme, used to create an almost quilted look, adorned in traditional and contemporary styles alike. The addition of trim or molding took simple dressers to the next level. Simple shape + great detail = strong statement.

the new geometry

The shapes, to a certain extent, play with the details. Most were simplistic and repetitive. There were the standard honeycombs and hexagons, keys and four-leaf clovers; lines that follow an expected path. But there were also the rhomboids which, while still linear, also flowed more freely and randomly, often creating great depth and dimension.

with this ring

Before you ask, no, the circles never really “went” to have a comeback, but the rings don’t need to be a perfect circle. The rings had an astonishing impact, playing on nature through such mediums as tree rings or astonishingly beautiful layers of agates. In other cases, the rings were more orbital, returning again to layering and depth. It’s a softer look than those embraced by The New Geometry, but it’s an equally strong statement nonetheless.

If you’re looking for a key takeaway: details matter.

To see examples of each trend, click here.