| Special Report
Hardware Market Report 2003
Anything goes for decorators in terms of style, function
and finishes.
So
many options—metal, wood, combinations, contemporary, modern,
traditional, functional, paint, stain, custom finishes—what
is a designer to do when it comes to selecting the right drapery
hardware to top off a custom window treatment? Apparently, decorators
can choose whatever they want or need, today’s drapery hardware
manufacturers offer the styles, function options and finishes to
meet any demand.
Here, some of the top drapery hardware suppliers tell us what they
see as the coming trends and top customer priorities for 2003.
STYLE AND FUNCTION MEET
At Gould Drapery Hardware we find that more and more of our customers
seek to combine decorative style and function. Finishes are also
paramount in a customer’s final design decision.
Regarding decorative style and function, many of our customers seek
to combine the beauty of a decorative wood pole with the functionality
of traverse. Orders for wood traverse poles continue to increase,
and we strive to improve our products through extensive engineering,
testing and product modifications. We test our wood traverse poles
by adding significant weights, oftentimes in excess of 120 pounds,
to the rings and by opening and closing the drapes for extended
cycles to ensure that the draperies will draw smoothly and easily
over a very long time frame.
Regarding finishes, we find that our customers are looking for finishes
that will easily coordinate with the trim, furniture and fabrics
in their homes. That is one reason why our traditional wood stains
remain very popular. Stains are very difficult to apply and many
other companies steer away from them. Stains also require that a
high-quality wood be used in order to achieve a fine finished product.
For 2003 we are adding three new finishes to our line including
off-white and two designer finishes: golden crest and golden mahogany.
In addition to these 20 in-house finishes, we also custom finish
and our entire product line is available unfinished.
Worldwide Window Treatments/Gould Drapery Hardware.
(718) 893-9370; (800) 223-8990; Fax: (718) 893-4788
E-mail: wwtgould@aol.com;
www.wwtgould.com
Regional Preference Arise
The year 2003 is going to set regional trends in the decorative
hardware business segment. The West Coast consumer preference is
toward an eclectic style represented by simple, elegant looks in
nickel and antique brass finishes. Customer’s preference for
wrought iron drapery hardware will remain strong and design preferences
will tend towards an elegant look.
The customer preference on the East Coast is increasingly moving
toward wrought iron products with Mediterranean and Spanish design
for finials.
Iron on wood and wood on iron will see an increase in preference
and special product designs on iron such as the One Way Draw system
and Iron Traverse Rods will see increase use.
Overall, drapery hardware customers will be looking for elegant
styles and unique finishes in 2003. Iron Art is well poised to meet
the needs of drapery hardware customers in the entire range of iron
products including wood and combination of wood and iron. Iron Art
colors offer a wide range of finishes, and we also specialize in
providing custom color matching on iron and wood. The company’s
products stand for strength, design and finishes.
Orion Ornamental Iron, Inc.
(818) 982 0755; Fax: (818) 982 1813
E-mail: sales@ironartbyorion.com;
www.ironartbyorion.com |
