On the first day of market, few people have answers to questions like, "What finishes are doing well?" or "What styles are people drawn to?" Especially at 10 a.m.
But even though it's the first day of Lightovation — and the day isn't even over yet — a few trends have already started to make themselves known.
Here are three trends we see taking root at Lightovation.
Texture, texture, texture
If Matte Black was the buzz word last January, then texture is the buzz word this market. Manufacturers have introduced cool, new collections that incorporate texture, but no two collections are alike. We saw hints of this trend last year with Lisa McDennon's collection for Hinkley, but now other manufacturers are finding unique ways to incorporate different materials to create texture.
For example:
- Craftmade's use of leather straps on its pendants.
- The heavy concrete bases used on Mitzi's new wall sconces.
- Leather and rope accents used on Jeffrey Alan Marks' new collection for Progress Lighting.
- Hubbardton Forge's hammered iron fixtures feel rough, but look sleek.
And many more.
Be it ribboned glass or cool materials like leather, these fixtures add textural detail. By Friday, it is expected that most people will be tired of hearing the word "texture."
Farmhouse goes French Country
There have been rumors that the farmhouse trend was on its way out, but not everyone agrees. Some say the terminology is just changing (it's hard to sell farmhouse in urban areas, so it's called modern farmhouse), but at Lightovation, the look appears to be shifting farther to the country with the French Country look.
Generation Lighting debuted several new designer collections this market, and one of them, the Chapman & Myers Collection, leaned heavily towards the French Country look. Its chandeliers had elegant, swooping arms and textural (there's that word again...) Gold Leaf and black finishes.
In the Golden Lighting showroom, designers expanded the Ferris Collection, which has a patina finish and a scalloped iron ring, and showed it in an Oyster finish. The look could be industrial, but the scalloped detail on the ring makes it feel more feminine.
The push for portables
Table and floor lamps appear to be having a moment. More and more companies have expanded their offerings into portable lamps.
The move to portables made sense for Generation Lighting. Visual Comfort, its owner, is known for its portables, but other companies are seeing a need in the market. At Capital Lighting Fixture Co., portables also include plug-in wall sconces. Same at the Mitzi showroom. Both companies want to reach Millennial buyers, many of whom are still renting and need options when it comes to wall sconces. These new plug-ins can move along with the owner, and they can be attached to the wall when the owner has finally found the perfect space.
Even home decor makers are moving to portables. Sagebrook Home debuted a new collection of portable lamps at High Point Market last fall, and last week in Atlanta, the company amped up production and displayed its whole collection.
Finally, there's a good chance Quoizel may be expanding its portable lighting category. The company was recently acquired by NBG Home, which also produces portable lighting under the Jimco name. No word yet if Quoiozel will expand this category, but it's a definite possibility.
What trend are you seeing at Lightovation? Share with us in the comments!
