By Andrea Lillo
Nostalgic products that remind consumers of the good old days, or ones that help decorate such rooms as home theaters or recreate a boutique hotel look, are niches where manufacturers of decorative accessories are finding opportunity.
Consumers want to create past or present experiences in their homes, and the introductions at this month’s Las Vegas Market will look to fill that need.
Products also have to be well priced, as both retailers and manufacturers are conscious of the challenging business environment, and in the words of one manufacturer, “The days of buying a lot of cheap product are coming to an end.”
Based on the economy, Jason Phillips, creative director, Phillips Collection, sees products going in two directions: “a movement toward impossibly low-priced but trendy pieces, with the expectation that it’s not something that will be around forever; or a movement toward a higher-quality item that is exquisitely constructed and finished, even if that comes at a premium.” Retailers are looking for well-priced products. However, “If the piece is pricey, it better be something they can’t live without,” Phillips said.
In addition, consumers are as design-savvy as ever. “With the overwhelming amount of people tuning in to design shows on HGTV, it’s no wonder that the average consumer is right on the ball with the latest trends,” Phillips said. He added that custom, limited-run collections and licensed lines, “are creating a real buzz.” Boutique hotels are also having an influence on consumers as well, as “consumers are very often inspired by and want to replicate in their home what they see at these trendy hotels.”
For its market introductions, Phillips will be playing with different textures and subtle duo tones, Phillips added, and old techniques such as Raku “are re-emerging but with a twist.” Trending colors include deep purples, reds, lime greens and grays, he added.
For Global Views, black and white is an important combination, either as an accent or a bold color theme or as an overall theme, said designer Rick Janecek. In addition, he sees golden yellows gaining ground.
Retailers are looking for “items that are not cheap but have good value, quality and functionality,” as well as are “beautiful and unique,” Janecek added. “The days of buying a lot of cheap product are coming to an end,” he said.
At Artisan House, introductions will include the Studio line, a collection with “the Artisan House quality and style” that will hit a lower price point, said Shawn Coffey, head artist. With 45 pieces to initially launch, Studio products will be a little lighter, he added, but “it won’t take away from quality—it won’t be flimsy.”
In its regular Artisan House line, the company will present three contemporary metal tables, which can be used with a glass top as a coffee or sofa table, or without a top and stood vertically as sculptures, and called Cubicle, High Voltage and Free Flow. “Contemporary abstract is alive and well,” he added.
“Design is getting away from floral and foliage,” said Coffey, though he added there will always be a market for that, too. In addition, “People are looking back to how things used to be,” and which now include the use of retro colors from the 1960s and ’70s, such as avocado greens and mustards, as well as the pastels, fuchsias and purples of the ’80s.
Sterling Industries also sees nostalgic products hitting a high point for the company, along with other trends for the home. The lodge look, for example, has done very well and will expand this market, as will items for the growing number of home theaters, such as a popcorn lamp, said Deanne Beesley, design specialist. The company is also adding glass for the first time in response to consumer requests. “We’re very price-conscious, but not to the point of compromising quality,” she added.
Lifetime Brands, the tabletop and housewares giant, joins the list of Las Vegas exhibitors this show, highlighting its Elements brand of accessories, which also includes its launch of accent furniture. The Elements brand began three years ago, and grew from nothing to a $6 million wholesale business, said Richard Moser, senior category manager, Elements Home Decor brand, Lifetime. Fourteen collections will launch at the show, he said, and will answer retailers’ requests to incorporate accent furniture within comprehensive lifestyle collections, which include everything from planters to wall decor to candle pillar holders, he added. “We’re always looking for new business,” he said. Each group contains between a dozen and 20 items, and include hand-painted, scrollwork, inlay, stenciling, and hammered and laser-cut metal. The introductions have a transitional look, he said, and go with many home styles.