I'm Back from Dallas Market

Here's just a slight view of Dallas Gift Market. It is absolutely enormous and this only gives you a slight feel for what it's like. My friends and I truly walked and walked for a good part of five days.

We found that PURPLES are back in along with YELLOWS.

GREEN

is still very much in and I found this article you might enjoy.

Many homeowners this year will update their homes by taking on do-it-yourself projects using green, environmentally friendly materials. Are you green enough?

In Monograms Mirrors – Venetian, etched or printed with graphics Traditional prints in larger scales and bolder colors Geometrics Document-printed linen fabrics Bohemian look, Ikats Over-the-top wallpaper patterns The updated wingback chair (sleek lines, overstated frame) Cheeseboards, platters, bowls Spectacular serving pieces Natural edge cutting boards Small tables with branch legs Wooden twisted stools Twisted wooden lamps Metal serveware Decorative bathroom rugs Reversible Soumak rugs Bigger lamps, interesting shades and bases Window treatments Art with interesting mats Vintage look in large distressed wood or iron accessories Walnut finishes Leather Mercury glass Recycled glass Animal prints Owls Penguins Monkeys Buddhas Scent diffusers Soy and beeswax candles Eames-era modern design Old-fashioned board games Rustic glamour Mixing styles and periods Modern nostalgia Spare, simple design, punctuated with touches of luxury The eclectic urban loft look Living rooms as lounges All shades of green Black/white/gray/silver Gray/charcoal/pewter paired with clear bright colors Copper and bronze Jewel tones Rusty reds, tangerines Pinks, violets and lavenders Nature themes Permanent botanicals Unique side tables Antiques and found objects Chinese antiques Decorative down pillows Velvets, linens, cotton, silk and bamboo fabrics Anything eco- or environmentally-friendly Charity; cause-related shopping Made in the USA, made locally Fair trade products Handmade/artisan items Eco-friendly packaging Salvaging, reclaiming, repurposing; recycled anything Organic materials, natural fibers Comfort Useful, thoughtful gifting Frugality Value Understated elegance Customer appreciation

Out

High maintenance furniture High maintenance anything Manufacturers without eco-friendly and ethically responsible practices Luxury niche products Unnecessary extravagance Muddy earth tones Shiny gold Outdated product packaging The Victorian vintage look Too many flowers in floral arrangements Case goods painted with floral motifs Resin accessories Boring lamps Boring lampshades Super-traditional fabrics Floral fabric prints Small picture frames Nautical and shell themes Cheap imports; cheap imitations Excessively large artwork Excessive consumption Country Primitive Shabby Collectibles Entire name imprints Rooms saturated with mirrored furniture pieces Deep cherry finishes Matchy-matchy Keeping up with the Joneses Over-priced anything Negativity

The mood in showrooms was a little cautious. I noticed fewer selections from some vendors and others didn't seem to care...they were packed full of merchandise to select from. Some sales reps said the market was very good, that people were buying while others said it was the worse market ever. So who should we listen to? I bought enough but not too much this time. It's easy to go overboard, but I think I bought enough to have new choices but without having regrets when the UPS truck starts appearing!