What’s trending at the 2016 Architectural Digest Design Show

Ventilation hoods encrusted with Swarovski crystals are just the tip of the iceberg according to trendspotters on the Merlot Marketing team. We returned from the 2016 Architectural Digest Design Show in New York City to report that designs with contrasting industrial and natural elements dominated the show floor. Another popular trend included products that enhance home convenience and allow for customization, especially in children’s furnishings.

Our team has supported clients at trade shows like the Architectural Digest Design Show for more than 15 years. This experience has given us a unique vantage point for identifying home design trends, particularly in the luxury market.

• Natural Elements: We’ve seen natural components as accent pieces before, but now these accents—like foliage, stones and bark—are being integrated into the design of the home organically.

Many companies, like NanaWall, are also gaining popularity by creating products that blend indoor living with the outdoors, so homes transition seamlessly between living and entertaining spaces.

TWEET THIS: Natural accents & industrial elements dominate at @ADDesignShow, reports @MerlotMarketing: http://bit.ly/1SNwXdG #homedesign #ADDS2016

• Industrial Elements: With a recent shift towards incorporating metals and metallics into home design, industrial elements from manufacturers like Hubbardton Forge, a blacksmith company that hand-forges lighting products and accessories, caught the eye of designers at the show.

Dark, carefully-crafted metals and iron pieces were popular on the show floor, including the distinctive RangeCraft crystal-encrusted ventilation hood.

• Modern Conveniences: Luxury home product companies displayed designer pieces that pamper high-end homeowners, like the Spa and Makeup Station from True Residential.

Modern conveniences for connected consumers, like the WiFi-connected Discovery iQ cooking range from Dacor, were also prevalent at the show.

• Customized Children’s Furniture: Industrial elements, natural accents and home convenience products dominated for adults, while bright and customizable design pieces shined for children’s spaces at the show. The children’s furniture products displayed at the show were innovative, charming and downright fun. We’re seeing a big trend in creating custom furniture and décor pieces that allow parents to maintain a sense of design in their home, yet provide one-of-a-kind creations for kids.

See more trends reported by Merlot Marketing from the 2016 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and International Builders’ Show by watching our Part One and Part Two Trendspotting videos.