High points of High Point

The increasing globalization of furniture design and production has brought new influences not only to the table, but to the entire home, inside and out. Some of the latest trends from High Point:

Hepplewhite: The lyrical ornamentation that characterized the work of the London furniture maker (circa 1760-1786) included interpretations of French and classical styles. George Hepplewhite’s carved chair backs, often depicting urns, ribbons and acanthus leaves, have started to reappear at traditional manufacturers. Following the recent flood of Chippendale Chinese chairs, the Hepplewhite look is now being mined by a number of manufacturers -- from Hickory Chair to Oly and Red Egg, which have pared down the graceful curves into intersecting arcs that add decorative interest to cabinets, as well as Wildcat Territory, which has applied the design to embroidered bed linens.

Generation why not? A number of companies are providing high-style, low-cost solutions for cash-strapped students and empty nesters. Among them, the Danish firm Innovations offers modular seating units that can fit through narrow urban apartment stairways and multi-position adjustable sit-and-sleep sofa beds in eye-popping colors.

Inside out: Joining patio furniture in weather-resistant materials are fade-, rot- and mold-resistant rugs made from polypropylene. Outdoor lamps, made from waterproof resins and synthetic shades, however, have not moved beyond the good-idea, ugly-execution phase.

Pacific overtures: Furniture from Southeast Asia continues to add intrigue to the home front in shapes that range from rustic to refined. The San Francisco company Bahari has turned mango, teak and porcelain into sophisticated tabletop pieces, while a host of native craftsmen have recast fibers such as abaca, palm leaf and water hyacinth into chic woven furniture and accessories.

Cottage industry: With Home Styles’ Betty Crocker kitchen furnishings, the farmhouse look popularized by Pottery Barn achieved an even greater functionality. The Stickley-styled Table Bar and Stool set has a drawer for cutlery and a storage shelf if you want to put the seating out of the way.

Cafe society: Reflecting a broad range of influences -- streamlined Jazz Age designs, Bauhaus simplicity, French Deco and Hollywood Regency -- upscale furniture is awash with luxury and romance. At Henredon, designer David Easton references 1930s styles and an “East meets West” fusion of lacquered and glazed finishes.

-- David A. Keeps

Next week, the Wanted column looks at more of the new designs from High Point.