Architectural Cases

Where Playfulness Meets Venetian Craftsmanship: The Dusen Dusen x Laguna~B Collection

A Mother's Inspiration and Artistic Freedom

Motherhood often sparks new perspectives, and for designer Ellen Van Dusen, it profoundly influenced her creative journey. When Laguna~B, a renowned Italian glassware brand, invited her to collaborate, her thoughts naturally turned to families. What set this partnership apart was the complete artistic liberty granted to Van Dusen, allowing her to delve into Laguna~B's extensive archives and freely express her vision.

A Harmonious Blend of Styles

The collaboration felt destined, a perfect convergence of two brands celebrated for their maximalist aesthetics and shared love for dynamic swirls and stripes. Van Dusen aptly describes it, "We are both brands rooted in patterns, stripes, and colors." Caterina Capelli, Laguna~B's head of communications, echoes this sentiment, stating that the project transcended a mere adaptation of Dusen Dusen textiles, embodying the essence of their entire creative universe.

Whimsical Vessels: A Trio of Animalistic Designs

The collection introduces three charmingly anthropomorphic pitchers: a zebra, a parrot, and a fish. Each piece reflects Van Dusen's distinctive abstract prints and vibrant color palettes, seamlessly integrated with Laguna~B's intricate Murano glass layering techniques. Accompanying each handled pitcher is its own miniature drinking glass, designed to be a complementary companion rather than an identical replica. This deliberate variation highlights the organic nature of hand-blown glass, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike, a quality that Capelli believes enhances their intrinsic value and beauty.

Embracing the Unpredictability of Glass

For Van Dusen, accustomed to the precise geometry of textile patterns, the inherent unpredictability of glass presented an exhilarating challenge. She found liberation in translating her technical drawings into a medium where the outcome held an element of surprise. This creative freedom extended to the skilled artisans at Laguna~B, who pushed the boundaries of their craft to realize Van Dusen's innovative concepts. She notes that even simple details, such as integrating an 'eye' onto a glass piece, required novel construction methods, yet no aspect of the animal-inspired silhouettes, down to the pouring lip, was overlooked.

The Bird Pitcher: A Homage to Heritage

The bird pitcher, perhaps the most overtly traditional Laguna~B piece in the collection, drew significant inspiration from the brand's extensive glasswork archives. Van Dusen describes the experience as an immersive and invaluable learning opportunity. The artisans skillfully layered glass canes and fragments onto a solid red background, meticulously recreating the brand's iconic "Goto" pattern, characterized by its irregular, star-spangled appearance.

Dusen Dusen's Signature Playfulness

The collection distinctly showcases Dusen Dusen's playful essence through details like the "hand-on-hip" handle design. This element is a direct nod to Van Dusen's whimsical, personified design world, reminiscent of her popular face clocks and standing serving utensils. Van Dusen expresses her excitement about reaching a broader audience through this collaboration, emphasizing the liberating experience of designing without creative or budgetary constraints. Despite Murano glass's reputation for unique, collectible pieces, Van Dusen envisions these items as functional, everyday essentials, enriching daily life rather than being reserved for special occasions.

Discover the Future of Home: High Point Market's Defining Design Directions

Innovative Draping in Wood and Metal: A Fusion of Softness and Structure

A striking trend at the market was the creative interpretation of draped forms, traditionally associated with textiles, reimagined in solid materials like wood and metal. This approach lends an unexpected fluidity and softness to otherwise rigid elements. Notable examples included Nikki Levy's Draped Desk for Abner Henry, showcasing wood supports that mimic the graceful folds of curtains. Similarly, Thompson Traders presented a sculptural copper range hood reminiscent of a flowing skirt, while Vanguard Furniture's Jazz Chest featured a maplewood facade with drapery-like undulations. These designs challenge conventional material perceptions, adding tactile appeal and a balanced aesthetic to spaces often dominated by sharp lines.

Seamless Outdoor Living: The Rise of Fully Upholstered Exterior Furniture

The boundary between indoor and outdoor living spaces continues to blur, with outdoor furniture now featuring plush, fully upholstered designs that mirror the comfort and sophistication of interior pieces. Brands such as Harbor, Century, Four Hands, and Bernhardt displayed outdoor sofas and sectionals that were virtually indistinguishable from their indoor counterparts. This evolution is largely facilitated by advancements in performance fabrics, which offer indoor softness coupled with outdoor durability. Sunbrella's collaboration with Kelly Ventura, presenting English cottage-inspired botanical and geometric patterns, exemplified this trend, alongside new performance trims from Thibaut and Kravet that allow for enhanced decorative detailing on outdoor furnishings.

Tranquil Tones: Embracing Coastal and Sky Blues

Amidst a landscape of deeper, moodier hues, a refreshing palette of light, airy blues emerged as a significant trend. These coastal and sky-inspired shades were prominent across upholstery, furniture, accessories, and even showroom wall colors. Wildwood introduced the charming powder blue Winslow cabinet, while Century Furniture's popular Omni dining table now offers an Azure finish, featuring delicate blue streaks within a deep slate tabletop. This shift towards lighter blues offers a serene counterbalance, bringing a sense of calm and openness to contemporary interiors.

The Allure of Abundance: A Return to Maximalist Aesthetics

Moving away from years of minimalist design, the market witnessed a clear demand for greater ornamentation, layering, and intricate patterns. Maximalism is making a powerful comeback, characterized by a rich display of trimmings and elaborate detailing. Vanguard's showroom was a testament to this, featuring sofas and ottomans adorned with luxurious brocade and silky fringe, including a triple-layered fringe in striking color combinations. This trend reflects a desire for more expressive, human-centric spaces that provide a warm and inviting atmosphere, as articulated by Vanguard's Vice President of Marketing & Creative, Laura White. Additionally, Barry Dixon's collection for Arteriors, inspired by his travels, showcased a global maximalist approach with reptilian textures, vine-like lighting, and sconces reminiscent of traditional Indian shields.

Echoes of the Southwest: Incorporating Regional Influences

A distinct trend celebrating the natural beauty and artisanal heritage of the American Southwest was evident in many collections. Designers drew inspiration from Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cultures, integrating time-worn materials and an earthy color scheme characterized by "sun-bleached tones." Alfredo Paredes's Cocuyo fabric collection for Kravet Couture, featuring textiles like Yacuma with its patchwork of tonal ikat stripes, embodies this aesthetic. Harlequin's Saltillo wallpaper, depicting abstract desert landscapes, further highlights this appreciation for regional motifs. Leather and suede fringes on furniture from Four Hands, and Amber Lewis's Renzo chandelier, crafted in classic wrought iron, also echoed these Southwestern roots, emphasizing warmth and authenticity.

Tailored Sophistication: Well-Suited Upholstery Styles

A sophisticated trend in upholstery saw many furniture brands incorporating classic suiting fabrics such as tartans and tattersalls. This approach strategically aligns with the enduring popularity of rich, chocolate brown interiors. Vanguard Furniture showcased bolstered slipper chairs in tailored weaves, while Universal Furniture's new Fenwick collection featured elegant plaids. Sherrill Furniture's House of Duval, led by creative director Duval Reynolds, launched its "New American Heritage" collection, characterized by tailored details and menswear-inspired fabrics, with a standout piece being the plum, ochre, and pale blue plaid Javon bench.

The Demand for Grandeur: Embracing Larger Scale Furniture

Contrary to the recent trend of kitchen "slimification," a notable desire for larger furniture pieces emerged across the board at High Point Market. Manufacturers observed that buyers are increasingly seeking expansive designs. James Martin Vanities expanded its XL offerings with new 84-, 96-, and 120-inch styles, reflecting a growing demand for wider vanities. Outdoor furniture specialist Janus et Cie highlighted its extendable Grande Arche dining table, a best-seller that expands from 86 to 106 inches. Arteriors also introduced larger versions of popular lighting fixtures, such as the Josephine and Bennet chandeliers. Corbett Lighting, in collaboration with designer Noz Nozawa, unveiled the large-scale Hoshi pendant, a Noguchi-inspired silk-shade piece measuring nearly 29 inches square, affirming that even substantial designs can benefit from intricate details.

Nostalgic Tints: Palettes Evoking Past Eras

A compelling trend making a resurgence is the use of nostalgic color palettes that transport inhabitants back to cherished memories. A panel discussion hosted by AD PRO senior editor Mel Studach, featuring designers Ashley Gilbreath and Anita Yokota, along with industry experts, highlighted this shift. Gilbreath shared a project where she successfully reimagined a client's grandparents' pale blue and coral palette in a fresh, contemporary manner. Sue Wadden of Sherwin-Williams pointed to the return of stained kitchen cabinets, indicating a broader revival of 1990s aesthetics. This embrace of throwback moments, also seen in AD's Great Design Awards for Kitchens 2026, reflects a desire for comfort and familiarity in modern living spaces.