A large number of High Point Market’s attendees continue to be interior designers, but that doesn’t mean retailers don’t find plenty of great outdoor products while shopping the show.
In fact, the category has grown tremendously in High Point, and exhibitors have invested in vast showrooms that boast a huge variety of products. Evidence of this can be seen in Pelican Reef and Plank & Hide taking on standalone showrooms, and Sunset West, which was acquired by Hooker Furnishings, opening a large new showroom in Showplace that has both indoor and outdoor displays.
This year, however, an “inventory jail” problem kept a few retailers from attending market simply because they needed to get through their current inventory before they could buy more. And that made interior designers even more important this market.
With the first Casual Market Atlanta coming up in a few months, some outdoor exhibitors are saving introductions for July. But a notable number of both full-line and specialty manufacturers offered a taste of what’s to come for 2024.
Seamless transition
A big trend in the industry now is making durable, weather-proof products that have an indoor furniture style.
Spectra Home capitalized on that in a huge way this market with the introduction of its outdoor line, which was developed by Spectra Home President Jim Telleysh.
No novice to the outdoor industry, Telleysh previously worked on outdoor programs with Braxton Culler and Lexington Home Brands’ Tommy Bahama Outdoor. He says this collection embodies the meaning of bringing indoor style outside.
“We are a vertical company, so we have our own foam, lumber and aluminum, and we have a lot of small but important details from my experience with outdoor, like overlock stitching on the cushions that make them easy to clean and resistant to the elements.”
From fully upholstered sofas to teak and olefin rope, the line features high-end materials with an upscale look. Elaine Smith has entered a partnership with Spectra to show its pillows on the company’s furniture, and Spectra uses outdoor fabrics from Sunbrella and Sunbelievable.
The company started with eight to 10 groups because Telleysh said he wants the industry to know the company is serious about the category. Product will ship in September, collections will be on display in Spectra’s temporary booth at the Casual Market, and Telleysh says he plans to expand the line with three to four new groups at the October High Point Market.
Brown Jordan was chosen to display Schumacher Fabrics’ brand-new outdoor collection on Brown Jordan’s classic Calcutta collection this market. Two designs — a sleek black and white and an exotic natural motif — were displayed prominently at the front of the showroom.
The fabrics will be available through five select Brown Jordan showrooms around the U.S.
The company also debuted the Oliver collection, which takes inspiration front the vintage 1964 Fiat Jolly. With 24 frame options, the sofa has two “buckets” that mimic the cars seats, and it comes in a Peppercorn or Bluff finish.
This third line designed by Anne Marie Vering, who also crafted Brown Jordan’s Oscar collection, can easily be mixed and matched with pieces from the Oscar line.
Bernhardt was another company that brought indoor style outside, and they did it literally, with indoor collections converted to casual lines with high-quality weatherproof materials.
Walking through the showroom, one of the only ways you could tell that you’re in the Bernhardt Exteriors section is because of the sign on the wall. Otherwise, most products would blend in with the indoor lines.
Fully upholstered sofas, giant wooden puzzle-piece tables, elegant wrapped rope and tons of swivel chairs adorned the showroom, offering buyers a way to complete the look with indoor and outdoor product.
Since the outdoor line launched in 2019, the company has added distinct materials, like Dekton and quartz, and has expanded the line while curating its collections accordingly.
Skyline Design was one of the few specialty outdoor brands to bring new product this market.
The company is known for giant, lavish daybeds, and they’ve taken that to the next level with a swivel daybed. They plan to display it prominently — and continuously spinning — in Atlanta.
And going in a new direction from the classic thick weaves on their daybeds and sofas, Skyline also introduced the Calyxto natural wicker weave line and Krabi teak seating collection that are small in scale but high in style. Pieces in each line can easily be mixed and matched for a cohesive look.
Affordable luxury
Furniture of America highlighted new outdoor furniture lines that touted unique features, like foldable swings, adjustable coffee/bar tables, as well as reclining chaises and dining chairs.
The company says its Greemotion outdoor line has innovative looks that others don’t have and that it will have more casual product at the upcoming Las Vegas Market.
Ashley Furniture also offered unique looks in its Millenium collection, which is geared to a younger consumer who’s starting to buy outdoor furniture. The line offers high-end looks like thick rope, rounded profiles and low-back seating, at an affordable price point.
Back in February, the company lowered its prices on outdoor product by up to 25% starting in an effort to help retailers succeed, and Andy Sokol, Ashley’s vice president of outdoor, says it has been a big driver of business.
“Some retailers aren’t buying as much right now, but we’re hoping that by the summer they will have worked through enough of their inventory that they can buy more,” he says.
Market newcomer Neighbor brought a few interesting pieces to market and displayed its newly patented shared leg system. This makes it so that if part of the frame breaks, the consumer can replace it easily with just one component instead of an entirely new frame.
The company displayed a modular sofa in an on-trend green Salve color and says it is working on expanding its trade business after starting out entirely online.
Overall, traffic was steady at the market, and whether an interior designer or a retailer walked in the door, exhibitors had something to meet their needs. Next up: the first Casual Market in Atlanta, which is sure to be an exciting event.
