At the High Point Home Furnishings Market held in High Point, North Carolina this week, we found that "Tropical" was the dominant market theme with an emphasis on palm trees. Palm trees were embossed on lamps, candle holders, picture frames, and figurines. Embossed palm frond reliefs were used to embellish large and small furniture pieces, corners of mirrors, and wall sconces. Not only are the palm fronds interpreted into decorative accessories but also the textured bark of the tree is used to embellish the poles of lamps and other home décor items.

Painted palm tree designs are showing up on murals, fabrics, tableware, decorative boxes, towels, and linens. The tropical feel continues with the pineapple motif. This once popular Williamsburg style was featured using the whole pineapple, just the leaves, or the texture of the pineapple itself as an embellishment.

Wicker and bamboo furniture continue to be strong in a range of color tones from light to dark and a variety of styles from narrow woven rattan to wider woven pieces used in conjunction with fabrics and leather. Iron decorative accents and iron beds are still strong.

Large hand carved fish in subtle color tones or wood tones are being used on a stand as decorative table accents with this theme. Orchids and amaryllis were definitely in bloom along with lots of green apples. Apples were showing up in baskets, glass containers, and lined up symmetrically on shelves and tables.

Stems of fresh bamboo in glass containers were also an important floral accent.

Garden furniture and birdhouses remain important decorative accessories.

Transforming Tomorrow

Being creative in transforming our tomorrows is dependent upon the ability to see situations, problems, and opportunities in a new light. When you can smile along the way, the positive effect doubles. Here are a few thoughts to make you smile today.

• A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a workstation ... GO FIGURE!
• I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older, and then it dawned on me. They were cramming for their finals.
• Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do...write to these men? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen could look for them while they delivered the mail?
• Ever wonder what the speed of lightning would be if it didn't zigzag?
• I just got skylights put in my place. The people who live above me are furious.