From minimalism to recycled plastic, furniture trends focus on comfort, sustainability

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What do Australian Victoria's Secret supermodel and entrepreneur Miranda Kerr, Palm Beach chic, recycled plastic bottles and an industrial revolution in woodworking have in common? They were all subjects of intense interest at October’s High Point Market, the furniture industry’s major show.

Despite challenges with supply chains and a definite reduction in the number of international attendees, High Point Market proved an upbeat event designed to energize interior designers, buyers and other professionals in the $60 billion business of house furnishings.

A sure sign of the industry’s return to normalcy was the return of celebrities like Kerr, who was in the North Carolina city to introduce Tranquility, her second home furnishings collection with Universal Furniture.

Kerr’s elegant and minimalist style, inspired by her home in Paris, should resonate with customers who appreciate details such as soft organic curves, waterfall edges, rich wood veneers and white lacquer finishes. Like Kerr’s first collection, Love.Joy.Bliss., Tranquility speaks of an appealing sentiment in the Age of Covid.

“It’s design from the point of beauty and function,” said Kerr at the official launch of the collection. “I had in mind how much time we spend at home these days. Your home should be your sanctuary.”

One of the stars of the show is the versatile Mode Desk Vanity, which comprises oval and circular elements. Its left side is supported by a circular column, topped with a removable rose quartz-lined tray, and the right side is supported by a wider circular column, which houses four drawers. The desktop has an integrated drawer with enough storage for office supplies, makeup or jewelry.

In Florida, Baer’s is expected to carry the collection, but don’t rush out to purchase it just yet, since choked-up supply lines have delayed its appearance in showrooms until September of 2022. Yes, like car buying, furniture purchasing has become a waiting game.

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Many of the upholstered pieces in Universal’s Tranquility collection reflect the industry’s zeal to embrace sustainability. Made with 50% to 70% recycled cotton fibers from the apparel industry, the Crypton Performance Cotton boucle in Tranquility withstands everything from muddy, smelly doggie paws and sandy, sneakered little kid feet to spilled red wine and errant spinach dip.

Kerr, mother to three young sons, is also owned by a dog, so she is well aware of the mess these small beings can create and insisted on performance fabric for her collection.

“If the kids spill something on the sofa, a kitchen towel picks it right up,” she said.

Another launch that should attract buyers in sunny climes is interior designer Meg Braff's line for Wildwood. Known for her exuberant take on traditional design, Braff added playfulness to her modern interpretation of glamourous Palm Beach sophistication. The collection pays homage to mid-20th century Palm Beach chic, inspired by Braff’s love for the tropical town where she is opening a new interior design studio this year.

A block away from the Universal showroom and Kerr’s Tranquility was the pop-up showroom for Unifi’s Repreve, performance fabric made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles. More than 27 billion plastic bottles have gone into everything from sweaters to sofas with Repreve.

Compared to making virgin fiber, manufacturing Repreve offsets using new petroleum, emits fewer greenhouse gases and conserves water and energy. Consumers can expect to see more of this type of fabric as the furniture industry increases is focus on sustainability.

An industrial revolution in woodworking was taking place a few blocks away from the Repreve popup. The official launch of The Generator at Congdon Yards will make available industrial-grade manufacturing equipment from Italian woodworking machinery goliath SCM to designers and entrepreneurs around the nation.

“It will propel the manufacturing industry to the next level,” said Giuseppe Riva, CEO of SCM North America.

The grand opening of the new facility, located in a restored historic hosiery mill, included manufacturing demonstrations of how SCM’s high-tech machinery could duplicate new or antique designs in minutes instead of weeks, leading to quicker production times and less cost to consumers. Access to this world-class equipment will enable designers and innovators to realize prototypes and production quicker and economically.

The previous months have both the best and worst of times for the industry, as demand for furnishings by homebound consumers increased, while overseas manufacturing shutdowns and transport woes plagued retailers, but the times may be moving towards more Tranquility…at least at Universal Furniture.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Celebrities, sustainability, minimalism hallmarks of modern furniture