Latest Trends In Fall Furniture Unveiled At Karel Exposition Management’s Recent Edison Furniture And Accessory Market

Furniture World Magazine

Comfort and function enhanced by sleek contemporary style will reign this fall as the hottest new trend in the furniture industry, according to exhibitors at Karel Exposition Management’s recent Edison Furniture and Accessory Market, . “This year rooms should be inviting and beautiful, perhaps compelling and interesting, but definitely comfortable,” said Marty Hochman of Am-Tak Importers based in New York. According to furniture manufacturers and designers alike, this new trend puts emphasis on creating rooms where families and friends can comfortably convene for informal gatherings or business meetings. “The hottest new trends are contemporary in style but also revolve around the need for comfort and intimacy,” said Hochman. ”Light and bright, cozy furnishings with a warmth and livability seem to be the post 9/11 movement, especially here in the New York area.” Since Sept. 11 the furniture industry as a whole has noticed that, because of the nationwide heightened concern for safety and security, people are now staying home more and investing more in creating a comfortable lifestyle within their homes. “The Edison Furniture and Accessory Market will give us the opportunity to introduce our new line of contemporary sleep sofas and chairs,” said Edward Borits of Look Luxe. “This year we feel our biggest sellers will be the pieces that are contemporary, comfortable, unobtrusive yet functional. Our new line addresses the wants and needs of people today, who now feel the need to entertain and spend vacation time in the comfort of their own home much more than ever before.” ‘Contemporary’ is the hot new watchword in Florida furnishings, say interior designers and furniture manufacturers throughout the Sunshine state. Sleek, spare lines with touches of wood or metal are replacing the overstuffed, traditional look that has remained popular for more than a decade. Fading fast are heavy, ornate furnishings and busy details like throw pillows and fringes. “Even though we do still sell traditional pieces, contemporary styles are paving the way in furniture design,” said Kai Makela of Design NS Leather, a manufacturer in Boca Raton. “Our hottest items are home theater furnishings like electronic recliners with cup holders and built-in, customized wall units,” Makela said. Floridians still like tropical designs on their fabrics, said a representative from Baer’s Furniture. “The East Indies look is hitting hard here, including Key West and Tommy Bahama motifs,” she added. In addition, furniture manufacturers throughout the United States are tapping into consumers' continuing love for all things American, with a focus on comfortable style that combines the warm familiarity of our nation's heritage. According to Steve Mandell of Hart Furniture Manufacturers, the American style that continues to unveil itself this year is fresh, updated and just right for today's lifestyles: traditional enough to feel familiar, yet contemporary enough to be stylish. “We will be introducing two new bedroom sets at this year’s show which focus on the Early American theme and feature a weathered pine look,” said Mandell, “we expect them to be hugely popular this year.” “The stiff, formal furnishings that were once common in living rooms are giving way to more casual, useable pieces,” said Larry Karel, owner of Karel Exposition Management, one of the nation’s largest producers of regional furniture and accessory markets. “Instead of a place that’s more of a reception area, living rooms as well as family rooms are once again becoming places to relax and spend time with friends and loved ones.” These and other new trends were on display at the recent Edison Furniture and Accessory Market. “Our regional trade shows provide a venue for furniture and accessory manufacturers to talk directly to their customers, and help small retailers stay on top of the latest styles and colors,” Karel said. The Aventura, Florida-based Karel Exposition Management is currently celebrating 50 years of planning and executing furniture trade shows. The company is the nation’s largest producer of regional furniture and accessory markets and currently holds annual shows in Tampa, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Edison, New Jersey; Fitchburg, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada and Long Beach, California. For additional information, visit the Karel Expo website at www.kemexpo.com or call (305) 792-9990.