Colorful interpretation

Bob Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas, said he had been very concerned going into the market but was ecstatic with both the attendance and attitude of those who came.

Although the industry had seen a slight uptick and was optimistic after 11 quarters of economic decline, the numbers dropped dramatically after Memorial Day, he said.

“Knowing that business was so difficult for retailers and they were struggling, we were really concerned about attendance at this market,” Maricich said.

World Market officials expected a 10 percent decline in attendance from last summer, which is typically a smaller show than the winter event.

“We’re down a little less than 10 percent from January and we’re virtually right on where we were with last summer. Frankly I’m not a guy that always been happy with even, but I’m ecstatic, considering what’s happened at retail in the last 45 days,” he said with one day of numbers still to come in.

“Not only that, there wasn’t an aura of pessimism. There was an acceptance that it’s a very, very tough business environment. People brought out new products, some really, really interesting things and there were buyers here buying.”

Jerome Kearns, chief operating officer for Four Hands, based in Austin, Texas, said the first day was pleasantly busy. “We have had great steady traffic. We had customers here when we opened and we’ve been busy ever since. Las Vegas has always been a good show for us, and if the first day is a harbinger of what’s to come I’ll be really pleased.”

Three of the nation’s leading designers, Darryl Carter, Mary McDonald and Kishani Perera, unveiled their forecasts during the Ahead of the Curve program after touring the 5.1 million square feet of showrooms with 1,400 exhibitors.

“This was my third trip to Las Vegas Market, and I continue to be amazed at how much product you can see in a very short period of time,” Carter said.

Among the trends they noticed were the increased use and interpretation of geometric forms in furnishings; aged patina on wood, leather and brass; industrial look through features such as exposed light bulbs and metal swing arms; resurgence of the ancient Greek Klismos shaped-back styling; and the continued use of metallics as well as ethnic patterns and colors.

“It’s always exciting to identify stand-out pieces and trends,” said Susanna Salk, design expert, author and “Today” show contributor who served as moderator for the program. “Las Vegas Market offers something for everyone, from chic floor coverings to unique furniture styles to eye-catching decorative accessories.”

Paul Watson, a licensed architect, interior designer and owner of the interior design firm Architectural Interiors who now serves as director of business development for the Las Vegas Design Center, saw punches of color – particularly orange and turquoise – in a variety of accessories including picture frames, wall décor and throws.

“They’re both familiar palettes, but they’re being used together,” he said of orange and turquoise, which is taking on a teal hue.

Those colors also are helping as traditional motifs are being given a contemporary spin. For example, a traditional Oriental rug is being shown in shades of beige, green and aqua instead of reds and blues, he said.

To bolster the home-furnishings show, World Market officials tapped into the gift, accessory and juvenile furnishings segments to create a Mega-Market with the show-within-a-show Gift + Home and Vegas Kids events. Additionally, outdoor living was concentrated into an area dubbed Alfresco Spaces. The idea was to attract buyers from different outlets and promote crossover shopping between the segments.

Larry Gottlieb, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Allstate Floral & Craft, which is based in Cerritos, Calif., said he saw a lot of new customers at Gift + Home and was satisfied with the traffic. “We are pleased with the facility,” he said, noting that this was his company’s first time exhibiting at the show.

“Retailers are here looking for new ideas, and the lines are being blurred between home furnishings and gifts, which is a good thing. One theme we’ve seen again and again is crossover shopping. Attendees are truly embracing the whole home market we’ve offered, and are taking advantage of the countless options under one roof — Vegas Kids, Gift + Home, Las Vegas Market, Alfresco Spaces and so much more,” Maricich said.