Top 6 Furnishing Picks of 2019
Fresh from the West Coast’s largest home furnishings trade show, the Las Vegas World Market, Lorain Design Associates senior designers Penny Lorain and Deborah Vatani report on their favorite exciting design discoveries from over five million square feet of home furnishings showrooms open only to interior designers and furnishings retailers twice each year.
Here are some of our FAVORITES:
FABULOUS CONVERTIBLE SOFAS
The most impressive discovery we made at the show was some newly-engineered convertible sofas that are different than the bar-in-the-middle-of your-back sleeper sofas manufacturers have been making for decades. The innovators of these sofas have engineered multiple pull-out options varying in size from a 30” wide cot bed that unfolds from a chair to queen-size and king-size beds that fold out of sofas and sectionals, perfect for the Guest Room, Family Room or Upstairs Loft area. We are proud to offer these sofas and sectionals with in-stock fabrics or special ordered in a myriad of fabric options.
These folks also make the most miraculous transformation I’ve ever seen…. a twin bunk bed with mattresses, headboard and footboard, ladder and guard rails that folds out of a sofa in less than 30 seconds. I kid you not.
KITCHEN ISLANDS
We discovered a huge array of functional movable Kitchen island cabinets in all sizes, styles and finishes. Starting as small as 22”w x 30”l and growing exponentially, Kitchen carts and islands are being made with tops of wood, stainless steel and stone and bases of rough-hewn reclaimed-looking wood, fun painted colors and even more refined wood finishes. Larger islands offer overhangs for bar seating, drawers and baskets for handy storage and some even contain wine bottle storage.
BEDS WITH STORAGE AND USB PORTS
Beds with storage and USB ports are being offered by several manufacturers we often order for our clients. In answer to our ever-increasing need for more storage space, furniture manufacturers are making nicely-styled beds with storage drawers built into the footboard but still elevated off the floor so they don’t appear overly bulky. We also found more bookcase headboards offered than in recent years, ready to accommodate your books, phones and voice-activated sound systems. USB ports are a standard feature of many headboards now, so re-charging your electronics overnight can be made easy.
NEW AREA RUG OPTIONS
Advancements in rug fiber technology and machining have broadened the array of area rug styles, colors and materials dramatically in the last few years. Many of our favorite rug resources are offering new methods of construction and less expensive materials which give our clients more options for rugs with traditional and non-traditional patterns in subtle or bold colors. Some of our favorites have color shifts and patterns fading in and out to give you a feeling of time-worn classic rugs or a sense of movement and interest without being too busy.
VICTORIAN STEAM PUNK FURNISHINGS
The brainchild of a fabulously creative fabricator, the found-object artistic lighting and mechanically-influenced ornamental furnishings created by this company’s visionary are unlike anything anyone else is making. Made by hand floor lamps, table lamps and pendants with cast bronze Victorian bases or glass globes with clock parts and decorative chain detailing, every piece this company creates has an identity of it’s own. Their furniture and accents are sure to draw the attention of almost anyone. Ask us for a distinctive conversation piece for your home.
DISTINCTIVE RE-POSITIONAL WALLPAPER
On Day 3, just when we thought we were too exhausted with furnishings overload to get excited about one more thing, we were both struck by the gorgeous and unexpected wallpaper patterns we found from a repositionable peel-and-stick wallpaper manufacturer. They had beautiful patterned wallpapers from dramatic geometrics to metallic textures, but we were both entranced by the traditional Chinoiserie landscape scenes and climbing vines and flowers that can be custom sized to the wall space you plan to use them in.
Let us know what you’re looking for and chances are we’ve seen it! We make it a point to keep on top of the latest trends and innovations as well as the best resources for good quality classic furnishings for our clients. Whether it’s for your home or office, your vacation house or rental unit, we can solve most every furnishing challenge. Call us!
