By Marina Case
There’s something wonderful happening in the world of interiors. Rooms are becoming more layered, more colorful, and perhaps most importantly, more personal. The kind of rooms that invite you to settle into a comfortable chair, pull up a game table, linger over a conversation, and stay a little longer.
Walking through the showrooms at Fall High Point Market 2026, one thing became wonderfully clear: traditional design is having a moment, but with a fresh perspective.
English-inspired prints, handsome plaids, rich greens, and beautifully crafted furniture filled the showrooms. Familiar patterns appeared in unexpected combinations, while classic silhouettes took on new proportions. It was a celebration of everything that makes a room feel collected rather than decorated, with a welcome emphasis on comfort, character, and a little personality.
But beyond the beautiful fabrics and furnishings, something else stood out. There seems to be a growing desire to slow down, step away from our screens, and rediscover the simple pleasure of being together. Game tables invite a little friendly competition, generously proportioned ottomans encourage us to put our feet up, and comfortable, inviting rooms make it easy to linger long after dinner is over.
It’s a sentiment we’ve been hearing from our clients, too. More than ever, people want homes that tell their stories, celebrate their collections, and welcome family and friends. Homes that feel familiar and nostalgic, yet fresh and full of life.
But beyond the beautiful fabrics and furnishings, something else stood out. There seems to be a growing desire to slow down, step away from our screens, and rediscover the simple pleasure of being together. Game tables invite a little friendly competition, generously proportioned ottomans encourage us to put our feet up, and comfortable, inviting rooms make it easy to linger long after dinner is over.
It’s a sentiment we’ve been hearing from our clients, too. More than ever, people want homes that tell their stories, celebrate their collections, and welcome family and friends. Homes that feel familiar and nostalgic, yet fresh and full of life.
At The Red Shutters, we’ve always believed that the most memorable interiors balance history with a fresh point of view, bringing together the old and the new, the practical and the beautiful. This season’s market offered plenty of inspiration for doing just that.
Here are five design directions that caught our attention at Fall High Point Market, and why we believe they’ll have a lasting place in the homes we love.
1. Menswear-Inspired Fabrics and Plaid
As a huge Scottish enthusiast, I was especially excited to see plaid everywhere at market. I’ve been attending High Point for years, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much plaid! There were all kinds of checks and tartans, from classic menswear-inspired patterns to more colorful interpretations.
I think part of plaid’s resurgence comes from the renewed interest in traditional English and Scottish country style. British period dramas and the growing popularity of Jane Austen-inspired stories are bringing these classic looks back into the spotlight. There’s also a broader desire for interiors that feel collected over time, with rich colors, layered fabrics, and a sense of history.
Plaid is a great way of bringing warmth and character into a room. I particularly love using it on upholstered chairs. It’s practical because the pattern helps disguise everyday dirt and wear, but it’s also a beautiful contrast to more organic prints, such as botanicals. A plaid chair can introduce a strong, masculine element that balances softer patterns and furnishings. A classic that has been used in interiors for generations, plaid works equally well in a traditional library or a colorful, contemporary living room.
2. Game Tables Were Everywhere
If there was one furniture piece that seemed to appear in practically every showroom I visited, it was the game table. This is a trend that I believe speaks directly to the shift toward analog – mahjong is having a huge moment right now, as are board games, card games, and other screen-free activities such as needlepoint and knitting. I’ve incorporated game tables into clients’ homes for years, but lately it seems like everyone is asking for one.
What I loved seeing at market was the incredible variety – there were game tables in so many colors, finishes, and sizes. I personally prefer the smaller tables because they can fit in a living room without taking up too much space. In fact, I’m currently incorporating a game table into a client’s living room in Larchmont, New York. I love how game tables are versatile pieces that encourage spending time together.
Below for back links: Basset Furniture
3. Ottomans in Every Shape and Size
I frequently use ottomans in my projects. They’re perfect for providing extra seating without adding another large piece of furniture, and they can introduce color, pattern, and texture into a room.
At the fall market, I saw ottomans in just about every shape imaginable. Along with traditional squares and rounds, manufacturers were introducing curved designs, ovals, flower shapes, and the increasingly popular wave-shape. These softer, more interesting silhouettes can definitely add a pop of personality. There were also some clever ottomans coffee tables that did double duty with upholstered surrounds and trays incorporated into the center, providing a practical surface for drinks or books while maintaining the softness of an ottoman when you want to put your feet up and relax.
4. English Prints Popped Up Everywhere
Another trend that caught my attention was the abundance of traditional English-inspired prints on upholstered furniture. If you follow me, you know I love a pretty botanical print, but what I found especially interesting was where I was seeing them. These prints weren’t limited to manufacturers known for traditional furniture. Vendors with more youthful collections, including Rowe Furniture, were incorporating English prints into their upholstery, especially chairs.
What I think makes this trend so appealing is the way traditional prints can be incorporated into more contemporary interiors. A chair upholstered in an English botanical can add warmth and personality without making a space feel traditional. I’ve always loved mixing patterns, and these prints offer so many opportunities to combine colors, textures, and different design influences – plus they’re also wonderful companions to the plaids.
5. Green, Green, and More Green!
Anyone who knows my design style knows how much I love green, so I was thrilled to see it in abundance at High Point – small side tables, console tables, upholstery, fabrics, pillows, bedding, lamps, lampshades, chandeliers, and even game tables. The Thibaut showroom was particularly filled with beautiful greens.
Green is such a versatile color because it connects naturally with the outdoors while working beautifully with so many other colors. Depending on the shade and how it’s used, it can make a room feel calming and comfortable or bold and full of energy. Benjamin Moore even recently announced Webster Green as its 2027 Color of the Year. The hue is definitely getting attention. I’ve always enjoyed incorporating green into my projects, and what’s exciting now is the incredible range of furnishings, fabrics, and accessories available. There are so many more opportunities to use it in interesting and unexpected ways.
Bringing These Trends Home
The trends from this fall’s High Point Market connect to the way people want to live today – enveloped in familiar patterns, comfortable furnishings, beautiful colors, and spaces that encourage us to gather and spend time together.
Of course, trends come and go, and I don’t believe in incorporating something into a room simply because it’s popular. But I do love discovering new interpretations of classic designs and finding pieces that reflect my clients’ personalities and the way they use their homes. I’m already looking forward to bringing some of these ideas into my upcoming projects. Keep following along to see how I incorporate these trends into my designs!
Ready to Get Started Transforming Your Space?
There are so many ways in addition to pattern to breathe fresh life into a home. View my Portfolio to see more examples of my interior design projects and follow us on Instagram for more interior design inspiration.
