Houseware, All about Convenience, Functionality and Styles October 18, 2007
Posted by author in : Houseware , add a commentttnet.net - [2007/03/02]
The houseware market of 2006 indicated that consumers look for things that will allow for a cozier and fanciful life and tend to buy things that will create high quality and comfortable living and enable more personal touch. Accordingly, household decorations, plastic houseware, metal houseware are anticipated a fruitful harvest at the beginning of 2007. Since Houseware is situational consumer goods, individualized and exquisite commodities still somewhat dominate the market. There is also a lasting push toward smarter and more varieties of products in houseware sector. Generation Y, or Gen Yers, the group born after 1978 and before 1995 stages as the dominant consuming power. These consumers are more sensitive to price and features than loyal to brands.
Comfortable colors and multifunctionality are two major concerns in houseware market. According to the trend report from Ambiente, here come diversified juxtaposed styles, some blended in the living environment. Turquoise and all blue and green tones had been popular in 2006. And green in all variations will continue to be welcomed on the color side. The comeback of blue, usually in the form of varied aqua shades, stood out as a trend in the midst of this juxtapositioning. Aqua colors tend to be the central theme seen in such items as baskets and carpets of sea grass or fish motifs on towels, floor mats, glasses, cups and plates, as well as carpets and baskets made of sea grass. Moreover, orange, pink and rose are often seen in the increasing colourfulness of the products on display. We see eye-catching and bright colors in kitchens. Pots and pans are painted with in every color of the rainbow and unique, vivid designs.
Plain shapes are common to see but the décor and details frequently have a Baroque design about them. Luxuriant floral patterns on textile and porcelain products echo with the trend of ¡§more is more¡¨. Now, we are seeing more opulent shapes with floral designs and pictures of angels on vases, plates, cushions or screens. All decorative ingredients include contents from the baroque or Biedermeier period. The spotlights, yet, are no longer on heavy colors such as dark red or violet, but much more on light tones: white and green, for example. Such a new light and romantic variation on the baroque largely applies in glass and mirror products.
Oriental themes jump to the designs of houseware. Indian styles appear on houseware in Buddha figures. Chinese “feng shui” is another focus, appending the fashion houseware new contents. The Chinese wisdom of a healthy lifestyle is applied in numerous decorative articles, such as pyramids, mobiles and vases, as well as in household fountains and mini furniture. As speaking ethnic styles, we can¡¦t skip over Africa theme. Calabashes and typical African products and animal skin decoration are all typical. Natural wood in earthy tones and sometimes a continuation of the ethnic wave provides the basic mood for furnishings. Wooden houseware with individual looking are now in demand. In addition, wellness continues to be a crucial topic, seen from food preparation to an enjoyment of tea and coffee.Tableware like china and ceramics is supplemented with new shapes for plates and other components. For instance, floral motifs, or retromotifs come in naturalistic designs. There is an increasingly systemic mindset in cookware such as pans, due to a mix-and-match concept and coming in versatile materials, coatings and surfaces.
Sizzling Trends of Houseware
Posted by author in : Houseware , add a commentttnet.net - [2006/01/24]
More is More
The cocooning trend, which dominated the home furnishings and housewares market for the past 20 years, is waning as luxury consumers turn their energy beyond the home to reconnect with the outside world. Instead, we see a new maxim- more is more, which is elaborated in colors, materials and decorations. This newborn strength, not merely a concept, encourages indulging in luxury and opulence, in quenching our thirst for romanticism, security and warmth. No more sobriety, coolness and purism. Here we see a lot in Tendence Lifestyle 2005. For example, rich décors grace porcelain, glass, textiles and furniture with mystical mauve and somber black and red combinations serving to focus on opulent grandeur. Crystal chandeliers, glass, colored light and reflections cast glamour to the home. Baroque and Art Deco elements are vivid in both form and ornamentation, with up-and-coming materials and trendy colors to bring a purely new look. Black is a must when it comes to luxurious ambiance, enabling an element of drama.
Natural and Outdoor
The desire for returning to nature is reflected on the latest topical shapes and materials such as tree branch candlesticks, dishes, in tree-trunk look, laminated coconut shells and jellyfish shaped bags and lamps. Organic designs are still fashionable for china and glass. Natural colors also jump to the appearance of Houseware. According to a survey, product color evokes a strong emotional response from consumers and is a major factor in more than 60% of purchases. Diversified shades of brown, warm red, amber and honey decorate styling houseware with seasonal hues and scenes for autumn and winter. Summertime green and floral decorations are seen on dishes, cushions and oversized vases, which refresh people and add new life into the house. The most popular color combinations are apple to meadow green with white with shades of yellow and orange being used to set accents. Leaves and blossoms are painted on porcelain and glass products to bring people’s imagination outside the house by blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Bowls and vases serve as herb beds with simple solutions available with automatic watering.
Retro & Nostalgia
This resurgence of nostalgic elements is consistence with times of economic uncertainty. Retro and nostalgia trend also echoes with people’s getting tire of mass-produced stuffs as a return to luxury. The good old time reminds us of memorable bygone life, inspiriting things that will be fashionable tomorrow in the modern world. Nostalgia theme keeps digging deeper into the past in search of quality, class, and harmony. Accessories from our grandmother’s era, including decorated biscuit dishes and ornately printed tablecloths, are making a comeback. Although stainless steel grows popular, a cookware old-timer is making new waves. The most common metal for pots and pans in the Western world was iron until the 20th century but as new materials occupied the kitchen, this long-standing cooking material started to retract. Nevertheless, with improved technology and education on its proper uses, this old favorite is finding its way back into favor. Now, old-fashioned cast iron frying pans come back and sell well just like in the days when our grandma used to be. The old-fashioned black cast-iron pans hold heat well and it doesn’t cool down when putting the meat in it, it simply sears, and meat caramelizes beautifully. It also ensures evenly cooked cakes and breads.
Healthy Eating
The desire to eat healthier is still a focus. According to an American survey, 27% of people say they are conscious of calories in their meals, the highest level since 1999. Obviously, overweight is a global issue. People are aware that frequent eating-outs may result in overweight. For eating healthier, they turn to eat at home more, which drives more interests in learning how to cook healthier at home. That sounds good news for cookware and tableware industries. To avoid mindless munching, experts even suggest people make a conscious choice to sit down and savor every bite. Placing a portion of chips on delicate china, dishes or with silverware help transfer the attention on tableware rather than eating the whole. Top quality hand-crafted products are clearly distinguishable as such and special value is placed on a quality feel. Anything that provides a more flexible attitude towards eating will continue to be popular.
