Hospitality Design’s HD Boutique Exposition and Conference returned to the Miami Beach Convention Center on Monday for its seventh annual two-day trade show and conference. The magazine attracted nearly 3,500 hotel architects and designers—500 more than expected—along with furniture, lighting, and linen manufacturers. We spoke with exhibitors on the floor to get their perspective on current and upcoming design trends in regard to color, lighting, and furniture.
Opinions varied about the most in-demand colors for fall, from tropical hues to blues and greens. Multiple vendors, however, agreed that reds and purples—ranging from crimson to lavender, fuchsia, and pomegranate—are the colors being requested most often. “The fuchsias and plums are really popular for something that really makes [an environment] pop,” said Susan Herring, who helms the marketing and design department for Scott Fabrics in Memphis. “We’ll [mix] the fuchsia with a chocolate brown so you’re getting a lot of depth.”
As for lighting fixtures and installations, crystal’s heyday appears to be over. “We’re seeing very little crystal,” said Matthew Hutchins, product designer for Wilshire Manufacturing in Taunton, Maine. “It used to be all over the place, and it’s just not like that right now.”
Additionally, Bob Dillon, vice president of sales and marketing for lighting company Hubbardton Forge in Castleton, Vermont, noted that “more modern [shapes] are the strongest design trend. Most of what you see [in our booth] has a lot of geometry to it.”
The geometric trend continues in fabrics this season, too, with solids taking a backseat. “Print really depends on the type of print you’re doing and where you are [geographically], but modern graphic prints are [prevalent right now],” said Felice Krellman, account executive for carpet manufacturer Tandus in Monterey, California.
While furniture designers are using wood in their designs, particularly in darker hues, the white sofa, chair, and daybed are still popular. “Things are still very tropical in this market,” said Joe Leal, vice president of American Contract Seating, which is based in Hialeah. “Everyone wants that South Beach look.”