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LAS VEGAS—Reports of soaring inflation, gas and food prices; a housing crisis and a potential recession have not dampened the outlook of the home décor industry focused on the buying appetites of the segment of Americans still set on decorating their homes.

Business at Las Vegas Market, which wraps up tomorrow, is a testament to that. Although anecdotally business was a little slow, according to exhibitors, the wholesale business mantra kicked in: the retailers who did come to market were intent on buying. The decorative accessories, wall art and accent furniture business remain strong. Current business is good, and although several manufacturers acknowledged that predictions for the next few months are uncertain, none seemed worried.

One executive at Cyan Design said that people are on a misison and are looking for specific items in fixtures and accessories.

Inflation and recession are more of a big box retail concern, mused Matt Hullfish, vice president of sales for tabletop manufacturer Costa Nova. Independents are more nimble, he said, and can adjust their business strategies more easily if times get tougher. He said he counsels his accounts: “Don’t kill your business because you think there will be a recession, or you will create your own recession.”

“You hear about the economic slowdown but you don’t see it here [in Las Vegas],” said Cyrus Yaraghi, principal of Safavieh. “We’re very happy with this market so far,” he said on Monday.

Asked about his fourth quarter predictions, Yaraghi said, “We’ll see,” but noted that the energy and innovative new products introduced at market will bear fruit at the end of the year. “I think people will be happy,” he said.

Rug maker Nourison, while conscious of an economic slowdown, is likewise focusing on new collections and keeping its inventory levels strong, said Giovanni Marra, director of marketing. “We’re moving ahead and we keep coming out with new products and supporting our dealers as best we can.”

Dana French, key account manager for A&B Home, is keeping a close eye on freight rates. “Freight costs are down but it’s still not a sure thing what you’re going to pay,” she said. “We were hoping [container prices] would settle around $5,000 but we’re getting worried.”

Nonetheless, business remains steady, if no longer in super-charged growth mode, she said. French predicted that sales in 2023 would be similar to those in 2022, but business in the fourth quarter should clarify in what direction the industry is headed.

Market introductions revealed that some color and lifestyle trends are evolving. Neutrals are not going anywhere, but they are enhanced by desert tones, particularly terra cotta and mellow yellows like sunflower. Green remains a popular colorway; some manufacturers are sticking with emerald while others are advocating more herbal shades. Blues are taking on more nuance. Whites are chalky or matte.

“Velvets are going to off-colors,” said Robert Story, head of product development and design for UMA Home Décor. “Instead of emerald — we see sage or olive. Instead of sapphire, there is a steely blue with a little more yellow in it. Ochre and sunflower are the warm yellows.”

The company is offering new takes on coastal and farmhouse trends, making both less literal and more sophisticated, a movement also seen at the Atlanta Market earlier this month. It is adding black woven wire elements to a coastal theme, for example, and French country touches to farmhouse vignettes.

And at Moe’s Home Collection, the themes were modern rustic; dark, rich, oily woods; ripples and waves, and ancient forms.

In lighting, natural materials remain strong. Warmer metallic finishes, like brass, and two-tone or multi finishes, are popular.

Editor-in-Chief Allison Zisko first joined HFN in 1998 and spent many years covering the tabletop category before widening her scope to all home furnishings. In her current role, she oversees all aspects of HFN, including its print and digital products, and represents the brand at home and abroad through presentations, panel discussions and HFN’s podcast, The Inside Scoop.

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