Returning from the furniture market in High Point, North Carolina (where I was working PR for Grace Home Furnishings) I am synthesizing a LOT of visual data and dealing with a head cold. I loved seeing all the showrooms and meeting so many new people!
Two trends I noticed which seem to be able to coexist together quite nicely - bold, bright color and lots of natural, washed finishes. Councill showcased a new finish that was a bold fuschia, but they weren't the only ones favoring this bold shade in their work. Julian Chichester had pops of this color in his showroom, and even Barbara Barry used it as an accent on her person.
I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of the washed / vintage look when I first saw Restoration Hardware use it. (Example here.) Who wants a whole room of drab? However, using one or two of these pieces in a room complemented by strong color I find very pleasing.
