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Examples of Michelle's writing, editing and publishing.
The Trend Curve™
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Select Blog Posts by Michelle
How Do You Say Blue?
How many ways are there to say BLUE? At the Ambiente 2016 trade fair, held in Frankfurt, Germany earlier this year, an exact number was difficult to pin down. That’s because there were so many types and personalities. They were found in products from dinnerware and decorative accessories to textiles and food-storage products. Almost every…
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Coral is Out—Persimmon is In
It seems it was just a year ago that everyone was talking about coral. It was the best way to update pink AND the best new version of orange, because coral was so important that it had a home in both color families. Adults loved it. Kids did, too. Even baby products made a place…
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A Pickup for Paisleys?
If you attended the Showtime upholstery textiles market this month, you may have noticed a slight uptick in the number of paisleys. Interest in these motifs is picking up again as they shake off their traditional image and shift toward transitional personalities that could make them more appealing in the future. What features transform a paisley form…
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The Skinny on Animal Skins
The Showtime textiles market is an early indicator of things to come. That’s because fabrics seen at this important semi-annual market are selected by furniture-company designers to show on upholstered pieces at the next High Point furniture market. Then, retailers show these sofas, chairs, ottomans and cushions to consumers on their showroom floors. From Showtime…
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On The Wire
In markets around the world, wire-frame geometry is on-trend. It updated in mirrors at the Hong Kong Houseware fair and made vases look modern at Maison & Objet in Paris. Picture frames at Ambiente in Frankfurt made use of it, as did tables at the High Point furniture market and glassware at the New York Tabletop market.…
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Ambiente 2016 Trend Exhibit
In keeping with its overall 2016 theme of Dining, Living and Giving, this year’s Ambiente Consumer Goods Show featured four key directions in its Trend Exhibit. The first was Artisanal Gardening, which showcased deep late-summer hues. This palette spoke of the carefully chosen contents of a garden gradually being brought indoors as the time for…
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Gift Wrapping Trends from Paperworld
Arona Khan, international gift-wrapping expert, was on-hand at Paperworld to talk about the newest trends in gift wrapping. But even if she hadn’t been there, the wrapped presents on display in her seminar area told the story well. Gift wrapping is constantly evolving, with new products and ideas that consumers are increasingly open to. What…
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The Knitwear Project at Showcase Ireland
Showcase, Ireland’s international creative expo, celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. Even though it feels like a hidden gem, this trade fair attracts buyers from Ireland and over 20 other countries. They come to see the latest collections from over 450 Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople in the gift, decorative accessory, fashion and jewelry categories. At the 2016…
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Brilliant Lighting from Original BTC
On the eve of the next Maison & Objet trade fair in Paris, the timing seems perfect for a look back at some of The Trend Curve’s favorite pieces from the September event. Hatton, a lighting group from Original BTC, was among the best debuts of the fair. The Hatton lighting collection is truly unique. Made of bone…
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Décor is Getting Bookish
Have you noticed that books keep popping up as décor devices? Just as news outlets like the New York Times confirm that print is far from dead, and GeekWire reports that sales of printed books rose 2.4% in 2014, “real” books are making a comeback. Now décor is starting to look a bit bookish, too. At AmericasMart‘s January…
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