The September issue of Elle Decor UK had an article entitled "The Key Trends", in which major players in the design world were asked what trends they saw emerging, what was selling like hotcakes, and (the part I found most fascinating) what wasn't selling well at all...
This is what some of the experts had to say about what wasn't selling:
• Jean-Luc Colonna D'Istria, head buyer for homewares at Merci, Paris: "Big dining tables, as they tend to be high-end and expensive."
• Rossana Orlandi, owner & head buyer for Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Milan: "Products that lack any interesting details. Customers are keen on details at the moment."
• Murray Moss, owner of Moss Online, New York: "Small industrially produced gift items, which used to sell well. Our customers are investing in major pieces and resisting small luxuries."
• Sheridan Coakley, owner of SCP, London: "More flippant designs, which people think aren't essential."
• Michelle Alger, home buyer for Liberty, London: "We've decided to sell fewer high-price goods with long production lead-times. People don't want to wait weeks for a new sofa; they prefer re-covered vintage sofas that they can have straight away."
• Paul Baptiste, operations manager & head buyer for The Shop at Bluebird, London: "Even though they're still selling, we're seeing a slowdown in hi-tech products."
• Lina Kanafani, owner and buyer of Mint, London: "Ceramics and glass, as ours can be fairly experimental. With the current economic downturn, people are more cautious when spending."
Do you agree? Have you stopped buying edgier designs? Have you given up small luxuries in order to save up for large investments? But what if you can only afford small luxuries?
All quotes from "The Key Trends" by Amy Bradford, Elle Decor UK, September 2011
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Comments (11)
When I read that comment about dining tables over a month ago, it immediately struck me. We have been trying -- to no avail -- to find a good large dining table.
I think the comments are very specific to the cities are client-bases of the stores involved. (look at how they contradict each other...)
Interesting. I just ordered a Saarinen tulip table (47").
I kept thinking I wanted a rustic farm table but whenever I looked to buy one, they'd turn out to be like $2000. No joke.
People are saving these days. There are some great lovingly used items out there these days and for me, the retail items are all starting to look alike (and prices are getting ridiculously high) and I feel they are not worth splurging on.
I've held off on major purchases - not solely because of the cost - but because the quality and style don't reflect the asking price.
Funny you should mention the Farm Table. i was just thinking the same thing when I did this post But still no one is buying the table. This is a dauntuing time.
Industrially-produced small gift items => knick-knack CRAP! Who wants to spend money on knick-knacks when money's tight?!
Also, I totally understand about the dining tables, too. I would love a contemporary farmhouse-style table, but not one that sits 10 people, and NOT for RestorationHardware prices. I plan on making my own table, so I think that will be a lot more fun!
Seems like most of the things not selling well could be considered luxury and/or non-essential---- duh!
Knicknacks are just out of style, I don't think it has to do with the economy. It's the difference between my generation's homes and my parents' generation's homes. They like cute little things, and I like sparse.
Well that explains the Stickley Mission table I picked up for 1800.
I am in my 50's and have collected all of the major pieces I need to make my home comfortable. I still buy throw pillows and linens. I still buy small objects when I find something interesting or want a memento of a place I've been, and I add to my collections. The economy has certainly made me think twice about spending large sums of money. Space limitations also limit my purchase urges. At this point in my life I either need to truly need it or truly love it to entice me to buy.
currently making a 9' table through a community ed woods class.
The fact that dining tables aren't being purchased in the UK doesn't surprise me at all.. Houses are so small here in London (especially new builds) and don't usually have a dining room. Kitchens are also much smaller with no room for any kind of table, let alone a large dining table. Most people, myself included, seem to put the table in the living room.