Trends

February 12, 2019 •
Rare Finds

The question on everyone’s mind during the winter shows is, “What’s new?” And my response is: Plenty! My prediction is that design top- sellers in 2019 speak to the unsung beauty that is around us — be it that found in the natural world, the joy found in reading or leaving one’s comfort zone to explore a new city.

Meanwhile, the age of the soft splurge is upon us. Key rings, enamel pins, pouches and tote bags enable anyone to easily add a dash of personality to the person, while planning pads and art prints serve the same function in domestic and office spaces.

Most of the products covered in this article do not cost a great deal of money, but by curating a compelling mix where there is always something new to discover, the retailer positions her venue as a destination worth visiting over and over again. And so, when the time comes to make a pricey purchase — of invitations for example — your venue is a natural fit.

Design Trends

Rock Stars

Agates and crystal textures are not just beautiful to look at, many believe their properties to be healing and empowering.

Clockwise from left: Peter Pauper Press; Casery; Band of Weirdos; GeoCentral; Hardie Grant Publishing; and Designworks Ink.
Clockwise from left: Peter Pauper Press; Casery; Band of Weirdos; GeoCentral; Hardie Grant Publishing; and Designworks Ink.

Read All About It

A love of books and reading makes for a heady design trend.

Clockwise from left: Regional Assembly of Text; Ashkahn; Alison Gordon Studio; Graphic Anthology; KSNY through Lifeguard Press; and Ash + Chess,.
Clockwise from left: Regional Assembly of Text; Ashkahn; Alison Gordon Studio; Graphic Anthology; KSNY through Lifeguard Press; and Ash + Chess,.

Vivid Imagery

Lively product grabs the attention and adds personality to everything around it.

Clockwise from left: Apartment on Belmont; Wild & Wolf; Blackbird Press; Danica Studio; and The Lavender Whim.
Clockwise from left: Apartment on Belmont; Wild & Wolf; Blackbird Press; Danica Studio; and The Lavender Whim.

An Easy Hand

No longer is lettering controlled and uniform — it is as varied and distinctive as the hands that create it.

Clockwise from left: Our Heiday; Page Stationery; Oblation Papers & Press; Fringe; Free Period Press; and Old English Co.
Clockwise from left: Our Heiday; Page Stationery; Oblation Papers & Press; Fringe; Free Period Press; and Old English Co.

Hit The Road

Exploring new environs has become a cultural obsession — as has taking the comforts and styling of home along for the ride!

Clockwise from left: Mud Pie; The Pillow Bar; Hadron Epoch; Colette Paperie; The Lavender Whim; and Knock Knock.
Clockwise from left: Mud Pie; The Pillow Bar; Hadron Epoch; Colette Paperie; The Lavender Whim; and Knock Knock.

Painterly

The touch of the brush allows offerings to burst with personality and distinction.

Clockwise from left: Thimblepress; Old English Co.; Girl of All Work; Our Heiday,; PrintsWell; and Elum Designs.
Clockwise from left: Thimblepress; Old English Co.; Girl of All Work; Our Heiday,; PrintsWell; and Elum Designs.

Product Categories

Art Prints

Tailoring any space to reflect one’s personal taste starts with what’s hanging on the wall — and art prints make that a snap!

Clockwise from left: Hammerpress; Frog & Toad Press; Apartment on Belmont; Michoucas Design; Sky of Blue Cards; and Artnwordz.
Clockwise from left: Hammerpress; Frog & Toad Press; Apartment on Belmont; Michoucas Design; Sky of Blue Cards; and Artnwordz.

Key Rings

Everyone has keys — which makes these design-rich finds not just universally appealing, but universally useful!

Clockwise from left: Idlewild; Little Arrow Studio; akrdesignstudio; Lilly Pulitzer through Lifeguard Press; ilootpaperie; and Valley Cruise Press.
Clockwise from left: Idlewild; Little Arrow Studio; akrdesignstudio; Lilly Pulitzer through Lifeguard Press; ilootpaperie; and Valley Cruise Press.

Enamel Pins

Palm-sized and very affordable, these flair-filled finds are most impactful en masse, so display them together for the maximum in add-on sales.

Clockwise from left: Compoco; Apartment on Belmont; akrdesignstudio; Baltic Club; Peter Pauper Press; and Old English Co.
Clockwise from left: Compoco; Apartment on Belmont; akrdesignstudio; Baltic Club; Peter Pauper Press; and Old English Co.

Planning Pads

Planners continue their popularity, but this undated category can be sold year-round and exhibits list-making prowess with or without a planner in tow.

Clockwise from left: Mustard; Our Little 3; Curly Girl Design; Colette Paperie; Our Heiday; and Studio Oh!
Clockwise from left: Mustard; Our Little 3; Curly Girl Design; Colette Paperie; Our Heiday; and Studio Oh!

Pouches

Affordable and giftable, these finds are small but mighty, stowing essentials and expressing the personality and passions.

Clockwise from left: Talking out of Turn; Studio Oh!; Printfresh; Wild & Wolf; Poppa-Artzee; and Peking Handicraft.
Clockwise from left: Talking out of Turn; Studio Oh!; Printfresh; Wild & Wolf; Poppa-Artzee; and Peking Handicraft.

Tote Bags

These are simple, but their designs speak volumes about their owners. As a huge added bonus, they cut down on waste.

Clockwise from left: Nelson Line; Utopia Goods; Little Arrow Studio; Tokyo Milk; Talking out of Turn; and Lisa Congdon for Emily McDowell Studio.
Clockwise from left: Nelson Line; Utopia Goods; Little Arrow Studio; Tokyo Milk; Talking out of Turn; and Lisa Congdon for Emily McDowell Studio.



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