High Point, N.C,—Despite a slowdown in retail sales in March as well as President Bush’s recent prediction that terrorists are “regrouping” and are expected to strike again, the mood at the spring edition of the International Home Furnishings Market (IHFM) here was surprisingly upbeat. “We can always be optimistic,” said Justin Chapman, a sales representative for Master-looms, who admitted that the last few months sales have been slow. A main reason for the optimism during the nine-day market was that attendance seemed to be back to normal after a 30% decrease in October 2001—just one month after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. “April registrations are up over last April, hotel bookings are up overall, and the industry appeared to have a very positive pre-market experience,” said Judy Menden-hall, president of the IHFM Authority.

And even though most of the floor covering exhibitors here conceded that March sales were a little slow and that the future was still questionable, the fact that some of the larger furniture players had just posted better-than-expected sales was a high point on the opening day of High Point. This is evidence that industry analysts are on track in their observations that Americans will continue to look homeward when it comes to spending disposable income. Instead of a grand vacation this year, consumers are expected to opt for improving the appearance of their homes. Said Mac McCormick, vice president of sales and marketing for Jaunty Co., “Since Sept. 11, people are definitely cocooning. Consumers want products in their homes that are softer and more comfortable.”

High Point exhibitors indicated they were ready for retailers to attend the spring show prepared to write orders, especially those who skipped the market last October because of travel concerns. For example, among some of the rug exhibitors, Master-looms concentrated on its new Sol collection from Nepal, which is made of hand-spun Tibetan wool and fine silk yarns. A few rug exhibitors indicated that the problems in the Middle East had made importing rugs to the United States a bit of a challenge. “Immediately after Sept. 11, security got much tighter,” said Michael Riley, vice president of marketing for Sphinx by Oriental Weavers. “But it has relaxed somewhat. Importing has gotten a little easier.” Sphinx, in fact, launched the look of Pakistan rugs, without the complications. Khyber Pass is the company’s newest machine-made collection that reproduces the handmade look of authentic knotted rugs. The designs are based on the historic and cultural designs from the Peshawar region of Pakistan, but are made from 100% New Zealand Wool in Cairo, Egypt. “It’s very good timing,” said Riley.

Without a doubt, reds, plums, and golds dominated rug designs. According to Lamb, purples in pale and deep values were on hand and reds led the way in all possible variations, while gold was the contrast to muted or antiqued looks. Another surprising trend—although many retailers FCNews spoke with indicated it is currently needed—is an emphasis on the tropical motifs. Carvings and fabrics in home furnishings focused on palm frond, fern and pineapple designs. Catching this wave was Shaw Rugs, which added several designs to its Tommy Bahama collection that are meant to coordinate with the new tropical-themed furnishings. Shaw’s transitionally styled rugs feature casual Caribbean images, including tropical foliage and island-inspired batik patterns.

One of several styles in woven wool is Mystic Maui, which features scattered images of pineapples surrounded by subtle designs of lush mountains and palms. These are made of 100% New Zealand Wool. Finally, the embroidered look that showed up at fabric markets and in ready-to-wear a few seasons ago has finally trickled into home furnishings. Everywhere, embroidered pillows, throws, window treatments and coverlets made statements. But the trend did not exclude floor coverings, which has seen a technological revolution in recent years, enabling mills to offer products featuring colors, designs and textures that were unheard of less than 10 years ago. For instance, Oriental Weavers offered Details, a line of rugs with embroidered accents. “It has to have a great perceived value,” said Linda Harlow, managing director. “And these embroidered rugs offer high quality and good design at a great price.”