Furniture design trends: Well-worn finishes

Finish fashion continues to favor well-worn effects. Some of the markings are achieved in the finishing department, while others are earned naturally over time. What's new now? Powdery colors, reclaimed woods and lustrous gold touches.

Striking gold
	As on fashion runways, gold will continue to add sparkle to home furnishings this year on upholstery, casegoods and occasional pieces. "Gold will be trending up,” said Leslie Harrington, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Color Assn. of the United States. "Especially with the popularity of yellow, which continues be so strong in fashion and the home. And metallics are now regarded as a staple—you simply have to have them." Constructed from alder solids and white cherry veneers, Marge Carson's Les Marches display cabinet wears the company's new Taupe Gold finish.
True blues
	Newly introduced blues are likely to captivate accent furniture shoppers, especially since Pantone’s Executive Director Lee Eiseman has dubbed blue to be the eco shade du jour. Century Furniture’s Barcelona Blue credenza wears a Bluebell finish on its base and a Driftwood finish on its top. Part of the company’s Spanish-inspired Barcelona Collection, the piece is crafted with deeply distressed ash and Colombian walnut veneers and comes in Bluebell, Green Apple, Buttercup, Vanilla, Driftwood and Aged Amaretto, as well as 60 custom finishes.
Reclaimed fame
	When casegoods manufacturers began introducing environmentally friendly home furnishings several seasons ago, they touted their use of sustainably harvested woods and natural finishes that emphasized the woods’ grain. Now, more companies are looking to reclaimed wood—imperfections included—to create casegoods with a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind look. Take Butler Specialty Co.’s #4026035 two-drawer, chairside chest. It takes green and Asian inspiration to the next level through the use of heavily distressed, reclaimed wood.Arin Intl.’s Irish Coast Collection, meanwhile, features case pieces handmade from reclaimed timber and reclaimed metal. Arin’s writing bureau is shown here in the African Dusk finish.
The right white
	Styled for beach houses, traditional cottages or spaces that lack natural light, home furnishings wearing skillfully distressed summer white finishes bring the requisite dose of Coastal charm to an interior. A two-tone treatment completes the effect. Sporting Habersham's Classic White and Honey Connoisseau finishes, Madison four-column table and Harvest fan-back side and arm chairs were inspired by architectural elements found at Madison Inn, a seaside getaway on Martha's Vinegard. The pieces are part of the company's Grand Cottage Collection.