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I just returned from the furniture market feeling inspired by the energy of the show.

The High Point Market, which wrapped up April 30, is a great place to assess new trends and keep abreast of all that is happening in the interior design industry.

This year’s seemingly constant flow of news about the bleak economy had me looking to this year’s event as an escape, as well as a chance to see how the industry is responding to a difficult time. I was pleased with what I saw in terms of style and color. The pictures with this week’s column offer a sampling of some of my favorite pieces from the spring show.

Eco-friendly design remains a strong trend and nearly all showrooms featured at least a few environmentally friendly pieces. I particularly liked some tables I saw that had been crafted from wood from reclaimed industrial pallets and reclaimed barn tillers. It is hard to believe that wood from these functional pieces could be turned into such beautiful tables.

Furniture painted in crisp colors really caught my eye, as did the real flame fireplaces. The fireplaces are great because you don’t need a chimney to make one a part of your décor, yet they bring warmth and coziness to a space.

This year, popular colors included cool silvers and gray, light peacock blue and dark lime green. Pumpkin-squash yellow and tangerine orange also made a splash, offering a cheery look to the styles. The lavender shades of last year had very little staying power; dark purple provided a new twist on the trend.

French flour sack fabric was another interesting choice that I spotted all over the show. The fabric was a parchment color and had the look of burlap or heavy-duty nubby linen. Simple yet strong Moroccan-inspired, graphic-patterned fabrics were another popular choice for upholstered goods. Most upholstery showrooms were layering neutrals with pops of color and bold patterns.

Silver finishes are still popular, but antiqued brass also had a strong showing. 

Jessica Dauray is owner of Elements of Style Interiors, a full-service interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington. Visit her Web site at www.elementsofstyleinteriors.com. Have questions for Jessica? E-mail her at jessicaofeos@bellsouth.net.