Global Escapes

Travel to distant lands is revealing exotic textiles in saturated, clean colors. Exposure to a multicultural world inspires us to be bold and take color risks.

Products are already available in tabletop, accessories and textiles that will provide some of the ingredients for color-based retail displays. Blending the new color trends with existing display furniture is easy if you remember a few simple guidelines:

• Introduce the most daring trend colors with paint as a backdrop for your merchandise. It’s a good value and easy to change when new trends surface.
• Large, long-term displays can be done in neutrals that will compliment the trends. When showing a stain finish, specify complimentary undertones. This year, that’s going to be a darker, browned-out stain.
• When ordering furniture, be sure to include colors that are on trend. You need to make a commitment in order to make an impression. Remember that a trend is not a fad. A trend has a shelf life of three to five years. It’s worth the investment.

Retailers are perfectly positioned to inform the consumer of the latest colors. Highlighting a trend, even if only in a vignette at the front of the store, attracts attention. Show customers that you can supply what they need to bring the new colors home.