HIGH POINT DISCOVERIES FROM WESLEY HALL

Every season, the giant doors to the entrance of the Welsey Hall showroom in High Point are painted with a fresh coat of colorful paint. This past April, a vibrant coral shade, Tigerlily, their color of the season,  graced the massive doors that welcome designers and buyers to the color-filled space. Arranged in beautifully-styled vignettes, the showroom showcased arrestingly fresh color combinations, displayed throughout with coordinated Dunes and Duchess lighting, artwork and accessories. Capturing bright color stories, the showroom, filled with natural light, was one of my High Point Market sponsors this season. The "sea of neutrals" effect many showrooms long subscribed to is nowhere to be seen at Wesley Hall,  providing a breath of fresh air. Color is my candy, and there was no shortage of inspiration and ideas here.  From well-thought out details, like coordinated tape trims, to unique upholstery options, the vignettes pulled in on-trend novelty prints with everything from Asian influences and neo geometric textures to saturated jewel tone velvets and many of the newly launched Tilton Fenwick for Duralee fabrics that brought texture and micro florals into the mix.  Overall, the impact was enormously uplifting, seeing such great textiles (many of them Wesley Hall exclusives) on well-designed (ie well-scaled) upholstery pieces. The Hickory, North Carolina-based company, family owned and run, has become known for their on-trend color choices, in addition to classic custom upholstery with a little something extra-- be it a subtle curve to an arm or an unexpected scallop detail.  I have to thank Wesley Hall's president Zach Taylor for hosting my visit and providing such a sunny dose of inspiration and ideas. 

Upon entering, a teal and Tigerlily palette greeted visitors. Anchored by Robert Allen's zesty print, Neo Toile in Coral was used on two cozy chairs which faced a high sided sheltering sofa with a tailored skirt that was one of my favorite pieces at market. 

The Bridgewater chair is an enduring silhouette because it is a sink-in cozy chair, perfect for reading a book.  But why go drab when you can go fab, with an eye-catching print?

From another angle, the mult-colored texture on the sofa had the perfect mix of tribal geo meets colorful

Another seating area had this deep sofa with clean lines and low back pillows. I like its tailored simplicity. 

A hold over smash hit from markets past, its hard not to love a shaggy pouf, this time done in a soft blue.

Robert Allen's Neo Toile in Cove is the dominant print again in a grey and dusty blue setting.

I have been paying attention to ottomans lately, they are a great alternative to a coffee table, and putting your feet up is much more comfortable.  This is a new favorite, their 73 Ottoman, with modern tapered turned legs and raised sides.  As for the yellow and teal combo, I'm into it. Teal is a particular shade of blue that has become established in the design firmament. It has been widely used over the past few years, but it is still fresh and interesting, especially when paired with colors like coral and saffron.

 Coordinating flowers to the setting, fresh blooms tied in the color scheme of Tilton Fenwick hot new textiles  

One of the areas that garnered the most attention at market was their Tilton Fenwick for Duralee fabrics corner. It combined the ebullient coral and teal coordinating color story they launched recently. Seeing how the prints and textures, like a cut velvet,  transformed the pieces they were applied to was totally inspiring.  

Soskin, in Poppy Red on a French inspired bergere, the 942 Chair

Everything is better in pairs. Covered in Rocat, one of Tilton Fenwick's favorites of their collection, this pair of slipper chairs is a conversation spot

With a single long seat cushion, bolsters and two back cushions this sofa (also shown above) personifies tailored chic. Covered in a Regency-inflected graphic geo, the woven is bold enough to take on the energetic dragon print on the wall behind it.

Getting the opportunity to see a well-executed creative vision is one of the best parts of High Point Market. The amount of effort that goes into styling an exciting showroom cannot be undervalued.  Here, the bold rug mirrors the sofa print, which is again coordinated with fresh blooms. They were a welcome sight after the winter we experienced on the East Coast.

Classics are classics for a reason. Great style endures. Take, for example, the wing chair. An American furniture icon, the shape is constantly being tweaked, to suit changing times and styles. The scallop edge along the base of this updated version adds a touch of whimsy. But then again, so does the bold fan print that covers it.

Covered in a sunny yellow almost neo-batik print, matching reading chairs with tailored skirts make the perfect bedroom chair.