News

TrendWatch, International Market Centers’ (IMC) proprietary trend forecast, named three trends at the Spring 2023 High Point Market: Confections, Immersion and Studio.

The semi-annual report showcases product available at the April 22-26, 2023, High Point Market in IMC’s 17 properties in a pre-market webinar, a digital flipbook, an onsite seminar and tour, and in three onsite product displays

“The Spring 2023 TrendWatch looks to the future and is influenced by the past as it explores the trends that are shaping home furnishings for the upcoming season,” said Dorothy Belshaw, executive vice president and chief customer officer of IMC. “This unique report synthesizes the elements that are impacting design trends as an actionable buying guide for the largest concentration of exhibits at High Point Market.”

Confections

Confections is a veritable sweet shop of satisfying neutrals. Inviting, livable and confident, the colors include sugary nougat, crisp meringue, soft caramel, syrupy butterscotch and brown sugar. The recipe isn’t complete without layered-in accents: woven materials and comforting textiles. Add some crunch with accent colors such as chopped hazelnut and roasted chestnut. Bursts of greens — like spring seedlings — and red-cast pinks and purples are the cherry on top. Matte finishes are the finishing touch just like a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.

Immersion

Immersion takes off the headset and enters a different sort of virtual experience: multi-sensory immersive shows that stir emotions, evoke place and travel back in time. Open space installations migrate to home furnishings by way of vibrant color and asymmetrical patterns. Immersion dazzles with energetic hues — including Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, white accents, edgy florals in especially abstract variations, wall coverings with kaleidoscopic effects, curved and/or elongated forms and lustrous finishes.

Studio

Studio opens the time capsule to the 1990s with a color-forward story featuring denim blues paired with casual neutrals. Like a favorite pair of jeans, Studio is casual, comfortable and youthful. The range of blues spans light washes to dark rinses, furniture is smaller in scale and handcrafted accessories add charm.

TrendWatch curator Julie Smith Vincenti, a design expert with more than 25 years of experience in magazine editing and home furnishings trends forecasting says: “TrendWatch mirrors the excitement of retailers and interior designers who are ready for new: new trends, new products, new vendor partners and new ways of connecting with consumers who are surrounded by visual inspiration at all turns. This season is about range — range of hues, patterns, textures, and styles — and excitement. Expect warm neutrals to vibrant brights; asymmetrical florals to casual linear patterns; modern forms to casual shapes; and matte finishes to lustrous topcoats.”

Confections, Immersion and Studio are explored through the digital flipbook plus a series of online and in-person events presented as part of the comprehensive programming presented by DesignOnHPMKT by IMC, the voice of IMC’s High Point Market. The pre-market webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12; the onsite seminar is Saturday, April 22; and the TrendWatch Tour of the at-market vignettes in the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) Green lobby, the Suites at Market Square (SAMS) entrance and the Showplace walkway is Monday, April 24.