6 Decorating Trends at the 2020 Atlanta Furnishings Market
Sustainability was a focus at the January trade show, and product colors emphasized classic blue and warm neutrals
Nature-inspired designs were everywhere at the recent Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, and “biophilic” and “wellness” were big buzzwords. Other home design trends in products at the market included a sustainability focus, classic blues, chunky woven textiles and warm neutrals. Here are six standout trends from the Jan. 14-21, 2020, trade show at AmericasMart Atlanta.
Products made from upcycled materials were in abundance at the show. And Maine Rope Mats has one of the best stories about upcycling.
When the practice of using float lines to connect lobster traps was banned because North Atlantic right whales were becoming entangled in them, lobstermen were left with thousands of feet of rope they could no longer use. They also had to replace the float ropes with more expensive sinking ropes.
To help them shoulder the cost of the new sinking lines, the nonprofit Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation buys back the rope with federal money. Maine resident David Bird of Custom Cordage became aware of the massive quantity of rope (more than 2 million pounds so far) and looked for a way to reuse it rather than having it wind up in landfill. The solution was in a product at the show: the company’s woven rope mats, made of the reclaimed lobster fishing rope in a variety of colors and designs.
When the practice of using float lines to connect lobster traps was banned because North Atlantic right whales were becoming entangled in them, lobstermen were left with thousands of feet of rope they could no longer use. They also had to replace the float ropes with more expensive sinking ropes.
To help them shoulder the cost of the new sinking lines, the nonprofit Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation buys back the rope with federal money. Maine resident David Bird of Custom Cordage became aware of the massive quantity of rope (more than 2 million pounds so far) and looked for a way to reuse it rather than having it wind up in landfill. The solution was in a product at the show: the company’s woven rope mats, made of the reclaimed lobster fishing rope in a variety of colors and designs.
2. Blue Is the New Black
Pantone’s Color of the Year pick for 2020, Classic Blue, was spot-on if products at the market were any indication. Denim, navy and indigo were the dark neutral du jour.
“Blue is big right now. Blue, black and grays are our core colors because they style so well with other colors,” says Oliver Rosen, co-owner of Los Angeles pillow and throw maker Sugar Feather.
The Sugar Feather botanical-print and green pillows seen here fit another ongoing trend as well — nature-inspired design. These Belgian linen pillows are hand-dyed in Los Angeles using environmentally friendly inks and dyes.
Shop for blue pillows, throws and poufs
Pantone’s Color of the Year pick for 2020, Classic Blue, was spot-on if products at the market were any indication. Denim, navy and indigo were the dark neutral du jour.
“Blue is big right now. Blue, black and grays are our core colors because they style so well with other colors,” says Oliver Rosen, co-owner of Los Angeles pillow and throw maker Sugar Feather.
The Sugar Feather botanical-print and green pillows seen here fit another ongoing trend as well — nature-inspired design. These Belgian linen pillows are hand-dyed in Los Angeles using environmentally friendly inks and dyes.
Shop for blue pillows, throws and poufs
3. Nature-Inspired Colors
Blues found in nature inspired the blue palette seen here, from Anaya Home. “The blue items are coastal cool, inspired by the blue sky and gentle lapping waves,” says owner Jonathan Call, who recently launched the company with his wife, Jenna Call. The bench upholstery is made of excess denim salvaged and repurposed by Anaya Homes’ manufacturer.
This photo also shows another big trend seen around market — chunky handmade knits. The blue pouf is handwoven crochet. Anaya Homes’ products are hand-woven by skilled artisans in the Indian state of Haryana.
Browse bedroom benches in the Houzz Shop
Blues found in nature inspired the blue palette seen here, from Anaya Home. “The blue items are coastal cool, inspired by the blue sky and gentle lapping waves,” says owner Jonathan Call, who recently launched the company with his wife, Jenna Call. The bench upholstery is made of excess denim salvaged and repurposed by Anaya Homes’ manufacturer.
This photo also shows another big trend seen around market — chunky handmade knits. The blue pouf is handwoven crochet. Anaya Homes’ products are hand-woven by skilled artisans in the Indian state of Haryana.
Browse bedroom benches in the Houzz Shop
4. Warm Neutral Hues
Warm neutral hues overtook the cool grays that had dominated home design for the past few years. Rob Pearce of Bedford Collections pays close attention to color trends. In addition to classic blues’ being dominant, cool grays are on their way out, he said, making room for camel, tan and warm gray hues.
Find an interior designer on Houzz
Warm neutral hues overtook the cool grays that had dominated home design for the past few years. Rob Pearce of Bedford Collections pays close attention to color trends. In addition to classic blues’ being dominant, cool grays are on their way out, he said, making room for camel, tan and warm gray hues.
Find an interior designer on Houzz
5. Bringing Plants and Pots Indoors
Frits Kattrup, owner of Danish company Bergs Potter, said Americans have come around to the European look of using outdoor pots indoors. Bergs Potter’s pots, pictured here, are designed in Denmark and handmade in Italy.
Frits Kattrup, owner of Danish company Bergs Potter, said Americans have come around to the European look of using outdoor pots indoors. Bergs Potter’s pots, pictured here, are designed in Denmark and handmade in Italy.
Rick Baker of Alfresco Home says the trend of downsizing from larger homes to condos and apartments has increased sales of its petite planters, which are outdoor-friendly. “Small pots bring a garden indoors when you live in a high-rise,” he says. Growing plants indoors also is promoted by the biophilic design movement.
Pots: Bergs Potter
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Pots: Bergs Potter
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6. Southwestern Influence
Don’t shudder at the thought of the bright teals and peaches that swept the nation during the garish 1980s Southwestern-style trend. The new take on Southwestern style has plucked the best earthy terra cotta, soft blush and desert sand tones from the landscape and is using them in sophisticated ways. These colors popped up on hand-woven pillows, rugs and framed textiles used as artwork.
Pillows: ED Ellen DeGeneres for Loloi
Don’t shudder at the thought of the bright teals and peaches that swept the nation during the garish 1980s Southwestern-style trend. The new take on Southwestern style has plucked the best earthy terra cotta, soft blush and desert sand tones from the landscape and is using them in sophisticated ways. These colors popped up on hand-woven pillows, rugs and framed textiles used as artwork.
Pillows: ED Ellen DeGeneres for Loloi
Product designers have also created modern Southwest-inspired color palettes, using them in abstract and dip-dyed patterns. Some product designers are even using them in bold graphic designs inspired by another 1980s trend, the Memphis movement.
“Our Western Wayfarer collection was inspired by the way Georgia O’Keefe and her friends brought their New York-style sensibilities to their New Mexico ranches,” Chloe Fryman of Deny Designs says.
Bedding, bench and accessories: Deny Designs
“Our Western Wayfarer collection was inspired by the way Georgia O’Keefe and her friends brought their New York-style sensibilities to their New Mexico ranches,” Chloe Fryman of Deny Designs says.
Bedding, bench and accessories: Deny Designs
For those who prefer bolder colors, there were also plenty of them at the show. Flower markets, Gray Malin’s popular coastal photography and selfie backdrops inspired the bright color palettes. Daffodil yellow, hollyhock pink and pumpkin orange were among the brighter hues that added pops of color in the booths and showrooms.
Your thoughts: Which looks from the Atlanta show would work best in your home? Please share your favorites in the Comments.
Pillows: Sugar Feather
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Your thoughts: Which looks from the Atlanta show would work best in your home? Please share your favorites in the Comments.
Pillows: Sugar Feather
More on Houzz
6 Nature-Inspired Trends at the Fall 2019 High Point Market
Browse photos for ideas and inspiration
Find a pro for your home project
Shop for home products
Labels advertising “natural,” “sustainable” and “100% organic” have become important to designers and buyers as consumer awareness and demand for eco-friendly and healthy products have increased, various company representatives said. It can be a challenge for manufacturers to keep up with changing technologies, processes, upcycling potentials and new certifications, like Cradle to Cradle. So it was exciting to see companies at the show that are working to minimize their environmental impact.
One such manufacturer is Yala, a garment and bedding company that is preparing for B Corporation certification. This certification is awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance. “Going through the B Corp certification process will help keep us in check and see where there may be room for improvement,” says Rachel Davis, one of Yala’s owners.
Yala uses fabrics made from sustainable plants, like bamboo, as well as animal fibers from humanely treated animals and recycled materials made from postconsumer waste. The company uses low-impact and azo-free dyes, and the water used in the dyeing process is collected, cleaned and reused. The company manufactures its products near where the materials are collected to reduce carbon footprint. It makes the packaging for its bedding, a reusable fabric bag, from leftover materials, which reduces waste and eliminates the need for single-use plastic packaging. It uses OEKO-TEX-certified viscose from bamboo, ensuring that the viscose is chemical-free before it is spun into yarn. And 100 percent of the cotton it uses is certified organic.
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