I was fortunate enough to be invited back to attend Fall market this year by the High Point Market Authority. As so many people who have gone in the past have been saying, Market is an amazing (but exhausting) opportunity to see what is new and hot in the design business.
When back, the most common question everyone hears is "What was new this year at market?". Thats really a floating target but you do see similarities between a lot of the different furniture lines.
I'll use Hooker Furniture, my sponsor during my visit, to share with you some of the new fall 2011 trends.
Shape wise, the circle or oval shapes are HUGE. Circles everywhere!
Kim Shaver, the VP of marketing for Hooker furniture (follow the link for her interesting blog) thinks this is because in such uncertain times, the circle is soft and nurturing and symbolic of hearth and home.
The circle was popping up all over like in the sides of this desk.
A new bed frame, the Marquette bed, also continues the round theme with an Art Nouveau inspired pattern.
Following further trends towards tradition with a twist, Hooker released a new line called Primrose Hill, named after the famed neighborhood in London.
The furniture in this line is inspired by 19th century European antiques but with an urban edge ( much like the neighborhood).
I loved the Lattice Bed from the collection seen in the photos above.
The woodwork details throughout the collection were really inspiring.
Also new in the collection is the Braddington-Young (Hooker's leather division) tufted brown leather chair in a great small scale, perfect for apartments and smaller rooms (like my own apartment!).
Not everything was traditional though; minimalism may be considered dead now in the design world but good modern design will always have a place in the field. 
Mixing upholstery in pieces was also popular such as in this chair with a plaid seat and leather surround.
Loved this mid-century inspired chair from Hooker's Sam-Moore (the upholstery division).
Another of the big trends was COLOR, particularly shades of red.
In this economic climate where people are not investing as often in whole suites of rooms, accent pieces are more important than ever.
RED is the perfect accent color as it's bold without being too crazy and goes with everything and any style.
Little colorful occasional tables are a great way to update your space without spending a lot of money.
These magenta leather wingchairs will certainly make a statement! Love the shape of the shelter back and those elegant little legs.
This tufted leather corner chair looked straight out of a country manor house like Downton Abbey.
The new Keltie chair comes in a variety of finishes and colors -again a great accent! 
Texture on furniture is something Hooker has always excelled at in my opinion. Maybe you remember my post on Hooker from last market HERE?
The finish on this Curlacue chest from the Melange collection was stunning, like real linen!
While not strictly a texture, I think the Macintosh inspired Ludlow collection qualifies in the way the screens play with light and shadow like in this desk above; check out the shadow on the floor.
The Ludlow shelving unit with sliding screens above is really a fun piece.
Similarly, the Donovan bed from the lower-priced Envision collection contains beautiful woodwork with either a fabric or wood backing. 
A new piece which was taking Market by storm was the country-cute floral fabric accent chest which incorporated fabric panels into a worn wood painted finish.Many thanks to Hooker Furniture for showing me around and helping me pinpoint the new trends at Market this season!
Hooker furniture is available from many retailers, find a list on their website HERE.
One of my sponsors here at ArchitectDesign is Carolina Rustica which is currently offering a sale on their Hooker furniture -be sure to visit their website!
My Australian 'penpal' has been traveling again and has sent me loads of photos from fascinating places around the world! I had to share 'Red House' with you, the home of Arts & Crafts artist William Morris.
While most known for its courtyard side (top 2 photos) the entry side is shown above; partly neo-gothic don't you think?
Update: Many thanks to my friend Richard for supplying me with a copy of the floor plans!
Katie knows color and texture. In my mind, these are things that make a house a home and the book is filled with luscious examples. I love the blue and red combination seen above.
Probably the best part, for me as an architect, were the numerous examples of kitchens and baths. We're always looking for inspiration in these departments!
Something as simple as a patterned backsplash in this vintage looking kitchen makes a world of difference.
In this bath, a morrocan inspired tile is used to create a beautiful line at the top of the wainscot: so easy to replicate at home. Again we see a lot of blue which is surely Katie's favorite color (and mine as well!).
What I love most about Katie's work is that it is unabashedly pretty and comfortable; nothing overly precious. They're simply delightful spaces which I'm sure thrill the occupants day in and day out. Isn't that what design should be all about? 
Alfred Dupont loved his estate, 
The 210 foot tall Carillon tower stands off the main mansion museum grounds (now) but within the original surrounding walls on the grounds of the adjacent children's hospital. 
Designed by his architect son through his firm Massena and du Pont, the carillon is still in working order and plays a number of songs daily, watched over by 4 stone eagles at the summit of the tower. 
Of course, a showplace estate such as Nemours must have an outstanding garage. What self respecting industrialist wouldn't have the latest gadgets of the day? 
The second floor held a large apartment and offices for the chauffeur and his family while the first floor contained the estate's collection of vehicles as well as repair and machine shops.
Five car bays (plus entrance ends) now hold 5 automobiles, a pony carriage and motorboat once owned by Dupont and his wife.
The interior is simple and of its' time: textured plaster walls, simple woodwork and tile floors.
The entry hall holds the original telephone
As well as the machine shop to which Alfred Dupont escaped to tinker.
Dupont's taxidermy collection from his hunts once graced the main hall of the 
An early 20th century example of the man cave?
The center doors have a graceful arch while the 4 flanking 
Admittedly I don't know much about cars but I certainly appreciate their style.
Dupont would only buy American made cars and drove this Pontiac for many years until his death.
At this time, Jessie went out and purchased a British made Rolls Royce (Silver Cloud no less!)
All of the cars are in mint, working order and still are driven around the estate.
Why don't more cars today have hood ornaments?
Two of the cars were so beloved by the Duponts that they had their bodies transplanted onto new cadillac engine beds. I had never heard of that before!
The sides of this green car had an interesting woven texture.
The oldest car featured a true 'lantern' as headlight.
And they're called 'trunks' for a reason!
Also in the collection is a wooden motor launch which would ferry the Dupont's guests across the Little Choptank River to their nearby country estate.
Now this is a collection I can appreciate!
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