Five key home design trends will be showcased in a new “Open House” exhibit premiering at the summer New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) August 18-22 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Center. These key themes also will be explored in a related seminar, presented by Sandow Media, Pantone and One Kings Lane.

“Open House is a collaboration of cross-industry trend-watchers to identify and showcase current – and coming – home trends,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “Both the display and the seminar will offer NYIGF participants an invaluable preview of leading home products themes.”

The five trends, their inspirations and expressions, as identified by editors from Sandow Media’s Home Accents Today and Home Textiles Today, are:

American Vintage: Heavy on nostalgia, this look merges classic American motifs like denim, patchwork, numbers and flags as well as distressed finishes, salvaged materials and a hint of schoolroom style. Recycled materials are often used. This look is a continuation from the current industrial vintage trend, but with a fun, colorful approach.

The French Moderne Way: This look brings to life elegant French design. Minimalist and streamlined, it blends rich materials like shagreen and ebony with exotic Egyptian and Asian elements. The emergence of Baroque themes – especially human imagery found in tapestries and paintings of the era – are a companion look.

The Marrakesh Express: Ethnic looks from the entire North African region are merging and making an appearance. The result is flat weaves and aged color stories set against distressed finishes and richly-aged patina metal surfaces.

Linen Revival: Linen and linen-like fabrications are putting an emphasis on a “dry” hand. These include: rough linens that look hand-loomed; two-color tweeds; and animal patterns such as zebra and alligator wovens. Skins remain a design perennial, but this look introduces a seasonal twist.

Graphic Modern: This look is grounded by strong print statements often rendered in just one or two colors. Designs have “pop,” expressed through polka dots, “softened” geometrics which polish down hard edges, and florals on a grand scale.

In connection with the display, a seminar titled “Open House –What’s Hot in Home Design?” will explore trends influencing home products – from materials and color to commerce and branding. Warren Shoulberg of Sandow Media will moderate the panel discussion, including Susan Feldman, co-founder of One Kings Lane, and Laurie Pressman, Pantone Vice President Fashion, Home + Interiors. The session is scheduled for Sunday, August 19, from 8:30am – 9:30am. Tickets cost $20 advance/$25 onsite, and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com/programs.

As an extension of these onsite activities, select products from the “Open House” display will be sold in a One Kings Lane online flash sale during NYIGF, with proceeds benefitting Gift For Life, the home, gift and stationery industries’ sole charity partner. The 72-hour sale will begin on Sunday, August 19.

Artisan Resource is a first-of-its kind show offering U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers. It will run concurrently with New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) August 18 through Tuesday, August 21 – at New York's Pier 92, offering a production-sourcing venue for overseas artisan enterprises to showcase their products and production capabilities – at export terms – from their country of origin.

“Artisan Resource programming will add real value for both exhibitors and attendees,” said Falkenberg. “Exhibitor sessions will help to orient and prepare international artisans for successful business activities in the United States, and attendee sessions will provide an essential overview of volume importing basics.”

Here's a look at the first day's seminars on Saturday, August 18. NYIGF Show Etiquette & U.S. Buyer Expectations, 9:00AM – 10:00AM, Pier 92. Participants will learn practical “do’s” and “don’ts” for U.S. tradeshows, and the importance of good communication skills in developing successful relationships. Topics include show etiquette and anticipating customer service needs. The session will be moderated by Karen Gibbs and Colvin English of By Hand Consulting.

Handmade Trend: The Importance of Your Story will take place at 10:30 a.m. Participants will learn the importance of telling the story of the origin of their products, profiling producers, and providing information about the context of the technique and material. Examples will be presented of promotional campaigns which emphasize materials, traditions and cultures. The session will be moderated by Karen Gibbs and Colvin English of By Hand consulting. Free for Artisan Resource exhibitors.

100 Days of Design, a community-based blog published by the NYIGF will return for the summer 2012 edition, with a modified format highlighting the design-driven products at NYIGF, as well New York City attractions and entertainment. The blog will be published twice weekly beginning on May 1, and will run through the summer NYIGF, August 18-22, 2012, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers. “When the 100 Days of Design blog launched last October, it featured a wide variety of perspectives on design. For summer 2012, it is expanding to include service-oriented content connected with NYIGF and New York City” said Falkenberg. “The blog nicely complements NYIGF’s design-driven and fashion-forward exhibits, and related education and events planned for the summer 2012 market."

Each week leading up to NYIGF, the blog will spotlight different product categories – such as accessories, gourmet, craft, home furnishings and stationery – and market trends – including sustainability, “made in the USA” and more. One weekly post will feature product introductions, as well as related New York City attractions such as exhibitions and attractions, hot restaurants, intriguing shops and other distinctive experiences, which are relevant to the theme. A second weekly post will feature perspectives and predictions connected with the theme from invited guest authors. Notable contributors during the winter 2012 100 Days of Design included Karim Rashid, Jaime Salm of MIO, Les Mandelbaum of UMBRA and Alan Heller of Heller, Inc. At the conclusion of the summer 2012 NYIGF, 100 Days of Design will feature a collection of NYIGF reports from notable bloggers, trend-watchers and design influencers. It will recap market highlights and share notable NYIGF posts from the blogosphere.