Fresh fabrics feature happy colors, nature
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 28, 2003
Cernobbio, Italy — Animal, vegetable, mineral — the entire natural world is represented in the color directions at this May's Proposte fabric show and at Scoperta in neighboring Chiasso, Switzerland.
The days are probably over when a single, signature color is the "hot" thing at an upholstery fabric fair, but color itself continues to be the fabric watchword — fresh, happy, uplifting color.
The days may soon be over as well when there is a different palette for different hemispheres — the globalization of life in general is leading to more universal trends in colors for all consumer goods, including upholstery covers.
The techno-brights of the past couple of years are trending downward and this season's introductions are leaning toward the warm and natural, from ivory to mink, fern green to lilac and terra cotta to turquoise. The palette includes dark earthy browns and fluid blues as well as brilliant sunset reds and the tender colors of sunrise.
Innovations in synthetic fibers, used alone or blended with natural fibers like silk, cotton, linen and wool, will give buyers plenty to get excited about with great looks and remarkable hands. Leather alternatives look and feel more than ever like leather.
Print patterns, especially florals, are often dramatic and overscaled, and although tropical and Oriental-inspired motifs remain strong, they may be approaching maturity. At the same time, plains and solids are gaining status for their own sakes, instead of just as "the plain" that goes with the feature pattern.
The fabric market also is trending toward velvet and other plush constructions, with slightly less emphasis on flat woven jacquards. Textural effects in wovens are coming from innovative use of yarns and color effects.
