It's a small world -- especially when it comes to home design. Those retailers, designers and architects seeking cutting edge, forward thinking in form, materials and color, sometimes artisanal or bespoke, are more frequently heading to international destinations. Perhaps the most significant design shows in diversity and style are in Paris, Milan, Cologne and Frankfurt.

The number of Americans attending these furnishings, lighting, accessories, kitchen and bath shows has ratcheted up in the last decade or so. But perhaps most significantly, the lead time to actually see that product -- or the trend it represents -- has diminished greatly. What used to take up to a year to show up in a store now is sometimes ready to take home almost immediately.

And trends have a shorter shelf life. Michelle Lamb, co-founder and chairman of Marketing Directions, a Minneapolis-based company that publishes The Trend Curve, a subscriber-based forecasting service to the trade, says: "The life span of a trend used to be seven years. Then five, which was a huge drop. Before the Great Recession we were stuck at three. Now we're careening to two. Sometimes I wonder how consumers can keep up. They are on Pinterest and Instagram. But for every 10 pins that might fly past, they may pick up one they'll embrace.

"What trend experts do is connect the dots," she says. "Show how that piece fits into a larger scheme. What it means for tomorrow. How it works for a color story that's more of an umbrella trend."

"With social media and transparency, the world is so much smaller today," says Caroline Hipple, an expert in marketing and merchandising and principal partner at HB2 Resources in Atlanta. "Everybody has eyes on (design) fashion, museums and travel, where furnishings can be edgier and more exotic."

Most top retailers shop internationally, not only to buy, but also to forge connections with artisans. One recent case in point: George Venson, a young New York wallpaper designer, whose high-octane graphics have been praised by Architectural Digest, recently was "discovered" by Anthropologie. The retailer commissioned the artist, whose watercolors are translated digitally to surfaces, to create a proprietary collection for summer: his fabric patterns on their furniture, all with a mid-century vibe, as well as one wallcovering.

Italian designer Paola Navone was drafted to do a successful housewares collection for Crate and Barrel. And Patricia Urquiola, whose admiration for crafts led to a charming collection of rugs, poufs and chaises for the Spanish company Gan, introduced those knit- and crocheted-look floor coverings to the office and hospitality world at Haworth, as well as a few of her standout furniture designs. The result is a warm, revolutionary approach that embraces the tactile and unusual palettes of mustard and pink, chocolate and pale blue.

Mid-century furniture seems at home on both sides of the pond -- '70s-inspired pieces as well as hints of Art Deco are having moments. But aside from furnishings styles, other design trends already are emerging. Here's what to look for in the coming months:

-- Positive/negative. We are so graphics-aware in advertising, labeling and other media that simple images in high-contrasting colors really appeal. Black and white is the obvious for impact, but still effective is a more quiet take in foliage-patterned dinnerware from Herend.

-- Mixed media. Teak tables topped with metal or stone, or resin wicker chairs with teak legs are a hit in outdoor fashions. In Europe, these expressions have advanced to arresting combinations, like the stone and wood cutting boards seen at the Belgian retailer Flamant, or a modern console crafted in wood and brass from Mambo. The style works beautifully in traditional looks as well, such as a distressed wood table with stainless steel top at Lexington, launched at the spring High Point market. It references industrial style dressed up and refined.

-- Warm metals. Gold -- gilded wood looks or brass -- and a rosier gold and copper have been warming interiors. They still are on trend, and not just in accessories, but in small tables and lighting, most recently in a faucet collection by Olivia Putman for the Paris-based luxury brand THG. Both shiny and matte finishes add glow, and layering with silvery tones gives us permission to mix.

-- Color. The fondness for indigo is not going away anytime soon. "I just looked on One Kings Lane today," says Dixon Bartlett, a partner at HB2 Resources, "and four of the top six sofas featured were in a shade of blue -- from indigo to sapphire to greener shades of peacock and teal." Michelle Lamb is seeing medium shades of green, with a bit of yellow and a move to softer hues.

-- Worn and weathered. Bartlett talks about the rubbed-out, burned-out, worn-away look in rugs, textiles, finishes and fashions -- "all part of a sub-trend of "Restored Renewed Reborn" that has been universal for several years. The Dutch company Studio Ditto creates the look of stacked old worn painted metal containers in a new collection of wallcovering.

-- Two tones. A tweaking of color blocking popular in fashion a few years back looks fresh again, played out in bold strokes, as in a shapely sofa called Halo from Softline that shifts in related hues from back cushion to seat. Glassware from SkLO plays with transparency and opaqueness in combining hues.

-- More functionality in clever ways. Double duty has become a welcome staple in home design, with hidden storage in cabinets and charging stations in drawers. At Ligne Roset, a clean-lined sofa bed offered this bonus: a remote control. And storage hooks are morphing into colorful artistic elements -- with or without keys, caps or handbags hanging on them.

-- European designers often push the envelope with the familiar. Mirrors are leaving traditional shapes and sizes, like Karim Rashid's new collection for the Belgian company Deknudt. It's impacting how retailers are showing mirrors -- hung en masse, all the same or different, like artwork.

-- Florals. Never really off the radar, fashion designers especially embrace them in the spring, when everyone craves beautiful blossoms outdoors and in. Shifts in scale -- from oversized to teeny (and we're seeing both now) and palette keep patterns fresh. Also, watercolor-y, painterly looks or more abstract expressions are gaining traction.

A new lush floral collection from Ted Baker for Portmeirion strikes romantic notes. "There's definitely a feminine energy," says Lamb. "After a decidedly more modernist period," says Dixon Bartlett, "it appears as though home fashion is taking a turn toward 'pretty' and a more traditional, decorative approach."

-- Keep an eye on tech. Space age-y fabrics that add structure to fashion with all the stretch and pleating are impacting home design as well. Pierre Frey's Architectonic collection is audacious with stretch, texture and dimensionality.

-- Eastern motifs. Eastern is striking a chord now, especially with the "China Through the Looking Glass" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. "Products and fashion images are covered with Asian-inspired design -- birds, blossoms, fret work, stylized clouds," says Bartlett.

What's especially relevant about global influences is that they've opened our eyes. Perhaps the most profound upshot is that we're more open to mixing things up. Not matching all of our furniture -- same finish, same fabrics. It's more interesting that way. It feels more collected. And ultimately, more livable.

Sources

-- Anthropologie, 800-309-2500, www.anthropologie.com

-- Deknudt, +32 (0)56 73 25 60 (Belgium), www.deknudtmirrors.com

-- Egitsia, at The Perfect Setting, 312-202-1260, www.theperfectsettingonline.com

-- ercol, +44 (0)1844 271 800 (Great Britain), www.ercol.com

-- Flamant, +32 (0)54 41 54 75 (Belgium), www.flamant.com

-- Gan Rugs, +34 933 633 260 (Spain), www.gan-rugs.com

-- Herend, 800-643-7363, www.herendusa.com

-- Jardin des Lumieres by Christian Lacroix, +33 (0)1 46 33 48 95 (France), www.christianlacroix.com

-- Kristin Drohan Collection, 770-837-2076, www.kristindrohancollection.com

-- Lexington Home Brands, www.lexington.com

-- Ligne Roset, www.ligne-roset-usa.com

-- Mambo, +351 2 18 13 33 91 (Portugal), www.mambo-unlimitedideas.com

-- Portmeirion, 888-778-1471, www.portmeirion.com

-- Rubelli, 212-935-3713, www.rubelli.com

-- Softline, through DWR (Design Within Reach), 800-944-2233, www.dwr.com

-- Studio Ditte, +31 6 29 09 84 96 (Netherlands), www.studioditte.com

-- Thibaut, 800-223-0704, www.thibautdesign.com

-- Tom Dixon, 212-228-7337, www.tomdixon.net; www.lightology.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

SIDEBAR

FROM TRADE SHOW TO SHOW FLOOR

The timeline between the debut of product and its arrival at retail or online is melting away. Six month lead times barely exist anymore. And sometimes, pieces are ready to roll out almost as quickly as they are introduced.

Tom Dixon's newest Melt pendant lights were shown at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York in May, and they were almost immediately available at Lightology in Chicago and online. Alessi's Dressed Wood collection by Marcel Wanders found its way into major retailers soon after it launched.

Some categories, like lighting manufactured oversees, don't move as quickly. "UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approval in the States sometimes takes up to one year or more," says Beth Dickstein, owner of bde, a public relations/marketing firm based in New York.

But the biggest takeaway is the exposure to well-designed new products, and as Dickstein puts it, a show's "responsibility to act as laboratories or incubators."

"Shows are important to talk face to face (with manufacturers and designers) and to see future designs," says Dickstein.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com.)

It's never too early to cultivate a sense of style, though whether a baby's introduction to furniture and ambience has any permanent imprinting effect remains to be seen.

Retailers certainly have raised the bar in recent years with the offerings for nursery and toddler furniture. Safety, of course, remains at the top of the list. Just five years ago, for example, important changes were made to crib design with the outlawing of drop sides.

Some will argue that buying a crib or children's furniture these days has more to do with parents' styles and sensibilities. Those who like a continuity or design flow in their homes -- indoors and out -- will also opt for similar quality and styles in children's furnishings. It is a category that has taken off, and retailers like RH Baby & Child (Restoration Hardware) and PB Kids (Pottery Barn) offer pieces that appeal aesthetically to their core customer. Specialty retailers like the Land of Nod and Galt Baby (www.galtbaby.com), which bills itself as "a modern baby lifestyle shop," further the choices.

When it comes to outfitting the rest of a nursery or child's room (often with an eye to growing in the space), there are plenty of options for going the traditional route, retro or thoroughly modern, with dressers, storage and desks. Add to that the expansive choices for fun wallcoverings and bedding (well beyond licensed characters), and a child's room can be fun, colorful, engaging and inspirational.

"In the past few years, I've seen nursery design elevate to a high level of chic," says Los Angeles designer Betsy Burnham. "Clients are asking for better quality furnishings, rugs, lighting -- even artwork -- for their little ones, and we're having a lot of fun with creative design details.

European designs now are more accessible, she says, and manufacturers have recognized a hole in the marketplace -- especially at the high end.

"There's no longer the idea of 'Let's just make do with my sisters' crib,' or 'Let's do the nursery last.' Or 'We don't need to frame that art.' The nursery (and child's room) is just as hip and cool as the rest of the house."

Increased demand for better style and quality has led exactly to those goods. It's not difficult to find either high-end or well-constructed furniture in a choice of woods and finishes that are analogous to those in the prime real estate of a home.

And with that, there has been an uptick in prices, as the upgrades are not designed to be throwaway or destined for resale. At Nursery Works, whose clients include celebrities like Beyonce and Jay Z as well as Gwyneth Paltrow, price tags are not for the faint of heart. Some cribs cost as much as $7,500.

To that point, cribs, for example, are designed to last longer than the first few months of a baby's life. Many can be converted to toddler beds, and some even transition into adult-sized daybeds.

There are cribs fit for princesses and princes, highly carved in provincial styles or even accented with 24-karat-gold plating, or acrylic cribs that are sheer or smoky. There are simple, modern silhouettes in playful colors such as Kelly green, turquoise, lavender or hot pink. In addition, dressers, storage pieces and desks come in an assortment of styles, some with fun shapes and vivid colors.

One New York-based gallery, Kinder Modern, specializes in curated vintage children's designs from the 20th century -- with pieces from modernists like Alvar Aalto and Hans Wegner. In addition, there is a stable of fresh designs from an international roster of pros, each of whom approach with an eye to intriguing form, color and needed function.

Designers Lauren Larson and Christian Lopez Swafford of Material Lust like to think of their pieces as creating "subconscious heirlooms by injecting high design into the minds of growing children."

"I actually don't believe in toddler beds," says Burnham. "I don't design for the moment. I go from crib to bed. And larger pieces of furniture may need to change. But as the child gets older, you can change fabrics at the window or art on the walls. Get a rug. Get more sophisticated accessories. Change out the hardware (on a cabinet). Get (interesting) lighting. And art can be a revolving gallery."

One reason nursery and kids' room design has ramped up has to do with lifestyle shifts. "Our clients have gotten more savvy over the past decade or two," says Burnham, who says that returning clients come back when they're expecting and ask for her expertise in fashioning a room for their baby.

The desire to create a sense of continuity throughout a home -- as evidenced by the explosion in well-designed outdoor furnishings -- has been a strong motivator for manufacturers. Even finishes have been expanded -- from natural maples and whites to a range of colors and even "weathered" looks and grays.

"We are definitely going lighter, if not white," says Burnham. "We like driftwood finishes and gray painted pieces. Ivories with taupes for a luxury baby vibe or white plus color. If a couple's taste is dark or black, we might transition to something taupe. There may be a mid-century eclectic vibe. But no matter what the style, everything will be on a par."

Burnham feels that traditional palettes of pink and blue have moved into brighter, bolder hues -- just not necessarily primary color combinations. "If it's pink, it's a cameo pink cashmere blanket, not the whole room. And patterns can be sophisticated -- I covered the cushion of a daybed in a nursery in watermelon pink ikat, for example. There are obviously a lot of ethnic patterns that work -- world traveled ethnic is in vogue, like vintage kuba cloth."

How much can a nicely decorated room shape a child's tastes and personalities?

"If parents take the time to think about a child's surroundings -- if you elevate the taste level, actually frame their art work and create a gallery wall -- it gives a sense of ownership."

And there is no doubt that it's one that can be a positive influence, fostering sweet dreams as well as creative ones.

Sources

-- Betsy Burnham Design, 323-857-1854, www.burnhamdesign.com

-- Farrow & Ball, 888-511-1121, us.farrow-ball.com

-- Kinder Modern, 917-979-2723, www.kindermodern.com

-- Notte Fatata, 786-332-4104, www.nottefatata.com

-- Nursery Works, 323-728-8988, www.nurseryworks.net

-- The Land of Nod, 800-933-9904, www.landofnod.com

-- PB Kids, 800-993-4923. www.pbkids.com

-- RH Baby & Child (Restoration Hardware), 800-910-9836, www.rhbabyandchild.com

-- Smartstuff Furniture for Kids, www.smartstufffurniture.com

-- Stokke Home, 888-299-9092, www.stokke.com

SIDEBAR A

CREATE WITH COLOR

With paint colors, wallcoverings and accessories, you can add plenty of personality to a child's room. Starting out with a neutral crib or bed frame, of course, allows the most design flexibility -- like switching out bedding for a new look.

"I like a bed like the Shaker-style Haven at RH Baby & Child because it's not masculine or feminine and it works in any room. It's straightforward and classic," says LA designer Betsy Burnham. "My design is not super decorative -- it's a little more edited."

The palette no longer needs to be limited to soft pinks and blues -- or, if they are used, they're being employed in fresh ways, as with grays, weathered woods or milky chocolates. In those pale hues and combinations, they are more palatable to adults as well -- even more gender neutral, as they may be in more vivid shades.

Painted finishes also may extend beyond solid-colored walls. Paint contrasting shelves or dresser drawers to create a striped look, or brush stripes, stencils or giant polka dots on walls. How about an overscale paisley teardrop on a Farrow & Ball wallpaper? All viable options for making a nursery or child's space stand out.

Ducks and kitties and cartoon characters still may appeal, but today's nursery design is more likely to show a more grown-up face -- allowing fluffy toys and accessories to cater to the child.

SIDEBAR B

FURNISH IT!

Today's nursery furniture has a far more sophisticated look, with some cribs on a par with well-designed furniture of high quality.

But the fun isn't being trumped by function. At Kinder Modern, a New York-based gallery that sells vintage children's furniture as well as contemporary designs, you might find shelving or desks in the shape of birds -- in bold colors or crisp black and white. Or a Danish-style beechwood chair and table from Hans Wegner, circa 1944. Or a red desk and chairs designed in 1963 by Karin Mobring for IKEA -- one that very easily could fit into the latest selections.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com.)

Just two years ago there, was a color tsunami at the international housewares show in Chicago. From spatulas, knives and cook pots to mixers, blenders, irons and, of course, the ubiquitous water bottle, a rainbow of pigments electrified booths.

Now what? No longer shocked by the novelty of hip, hot hues (or even the revolutionary silicon), we can observe ever-emerging favorites (always shades of blue) and shifts in popularity -- perhaps away from neon lime (although not abandoning orange or magenta). Or take in a mini-moment for purple cookware, thanks to an intriguing speckled lavender from Paula Deen or a plum from Rachel Ray's Cucina line, both from Meyer. But we're not color blind to great form, style and design.

And more and more, manufacturers are aiming to please -- with a look to modern, simple and sometimes elegant designs -- especially targeting the millennial consumer. Crossovers from other areas of home design capture microtrends like the use of wood, wood-metal mixes, hammered and relief finishes, colors, textures and patterns such as animal prints from fashion runways.

With so many products to peruse, the show organizers divvy up the wares into categories including wired & well; dine & design; clean, contain & sustain; global crossroads. With a lens on the kitchen, dining and entertaining, here is what to expect at retail this summer and fall.

Talking tech

The networking of appliances continues to ramp up, as do options allowing Bluetooth connectivity. High-end appliance manufacturers such as Dacor have integrated graphic user interfaces that, for example, alert your smartphone when the roast is ready. A Samsung refrigerator features a Wi-Fi enabled LCD screen to watch TV, pull up recipes and even make or answer phone calls. There's even a "Perfect Drink" scale and app that's loaded with recipes and walks you through steps to blend a single portion or a pitcher full of margaritas and other beverages (www.amazon.com).

Thermometers for grilling and cooking can be synched up with your smartphone and whole-house devices control thermostat, garage openers, lights and locks (check out www.iDevicesinc.com for its new whole-house Switch).

One show demo dazzled, with its application of 3-D technology in the kitchen. A PancakeBot from Storebound can be programmed to produce colorful and fanciful creations -- kid drawings, butterflies, dinosaurs or even the Eiffel Tower. Save original artwork or photos to an SD card or USB, and then print your design. A "smart batter dispensing system" outlines the desired image onto a griddle. The product, which has a suggested retail price of $299, is expected to launch in early fall. Storebound gets kudos for helping inventors get products to the marketplace. This particular one benefited from Kickstarter, where it met a goal of $50,000 within the first 40 hours.

Eye on health and cooking styles

Demand for professional heavy-duty juicers like Omega and Vitamix remains robust -- high price tags notwithstanding. But the offerings (and price points) continue to expand. Salton's newest professional power blender is marketed with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak. It can whip up smoothies, soups and even mill rice for rice flour. Best of all is a more modest price point of just under $200 (compared to $500 to $700 for others). And the Hamilton's Jamba affiliation draws that brand's aficionados to fresh squeezed juices.

One category that has taken off is slow cookers -- a blast from the past, but capturing a new generation. However healthy you cook, of course, depends on what exactly you toss in to simmer all day. Low temperature settings are said to retain flavor, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but attractive to many, of course, is the set-and-forget factor; coming home to an aromatic, ready-to-eat meal.

Steam cooking continues to attract those seeking healthier cuisine. So aside from uber-pricy, dedicated or combination, built-in steam/convection ovens, there are more than a smattering of inexpensive gadgets that allow you to adapt the appliances and cookware you already have. There are devices for the microwave and inserts for pots, with some cleverly retractable for storage.

This all speaks to added value and double duty. Dedicated appliances like rice cookers gain even more traction when they add functions, like Philips' new all-in-one multicooker, which steams, braises, slow cooks and even makes yogurt.

Practical add-ons also make sense. For example, a number of cutting boards have morphed to include storage as well. A new eco-friendly bamboo cutting board from Curtis Stone (www.curtisstone.com) includes recessed containers on top for cut up ingredients and storage drawers tucked beneath, all made from plastic BPA-free material.

One company that delivers with wit as well is Dreamfarm. Its well-thought solutions are tagged with clever names, like click-lock tongs ("clongs") or chop and sit up spatulas ("chopulas"), and scrape level measuring spoons called "levoons."

Other lifestyle trends

While single-serve coffee makers continue percolating, other methods of java brewing also are emerging. KitchenAid introduced three other coffee makers to "bring the barista home." One is a siphon brewer with vacuum technology that fully immerses grounds in water to create a more complex flavor. And French press is making a strong showing -- its simple brewing process, which measures coffee and water by weight instead of volume, is touted for its strong flavor.

Oven-to-table and serve ware

Nambe metal ware has upped the ante on stylish, sculptural pieces that can go from freezer and oven to table. And cookware manufacturers of stainless and enamel-clad pots have paid more attention to design. One standout with a modern sensibility is the Italian maker Sambonet. Its square handles and matte-finished terra cotta give it a distinctive look that handsomely transitions to tabletop.

And sturdy cast iron has been gaining new devotees. FINEX takes design to a new level with its handcrafted cast iron skillets. Octagonal lids are not only fashion forward, but they also allow easy pouring from six directions. Stylish, ribbed, polished stainless steel handles also are ergonomic, shaped to fit the natural curve of the hand. And the handsome mottled lids have brass accents.

There's an uptick in the use of wood, especially spotlighting unusual grains and inlays. From cutting boards to serving pieces for crudites or cheeses or appetizers, there's more variety in wood species as well as characteristic markings. Carving also is calling new attention to wood, as with pieces designed by Marcel Wanders as part of the Dressed Collection for Alessi.

Among the leading edge of design are Italian, Scandinavian, French and German imports. Many of these manufacturers debuted product earlier in the year in Paris at Maison & Objet and in Frankfurt at Ambiente, two important international furnishings shows.

With more and more emphasis on form and function, inspired by evolving lifestyle trends, a stepped-up focus on healthy eating as well as fashion and decor, housewares in this country will continue gain points in the style, efficiency and health arenas.

Sources

-- Alessi, available at retailers like Bloomingdales, plus Amazon.com and Lumens.com, 877-445-4486; www.alessi.com

-- Argent Orfevres, Hampton Forge, 877-423-6743, www.hamptonforge.com

-- Casabella, 800-841-4140, ext. 184, www.casabella.com

-- Cristel, 843-540-0013, www.cristelusa.com

-- Dreamfarm, 415-626-3333, www.dreamfarm.com

-- French Bull, 212-317-9646, www.frenchbull.com

-- FINEX, 503-946-1136, www.finexusa.com

-- JIA, U.S. distribution through Counterpoint, 507-280-6419, www.jia-inc.com

-- JK Adams, 800-451-6118, www.jkadams.com

-- Joseph Joseph Inc., 917-338-0900, www.josephjoseph.com

-- KitchenAid, 800-541-6390, www.kitchenaid.com

-- La Cafetiere, Lifetime Brands, 800-999-2811, www.lifetimebrands.com

-- Paula Deen, 800-388-3872, www.pauladeenkitchenware.com; Meyer Corporation, 800-298-1071 (for Paula Deen), www.meyer.com/us

-- Philips, 866-309-8817, www.philips.com

-- REO, Lifetime Brands, 800-999-2811, www.lifetimebrands.com

-- Savora, 516-740-6790, www.savorastyle.com

-- Smeg at West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com; www.smeg.com

-- Storebound, 800-898-6970, www.storebound.com

SIDEBAR

STACK 'EM & PACK 'EM

Homeowners appreciate clever and colorful solutions to space-saving and chores. So stacking and nesting are welcome in areas where real estate is tight. And color has an added value: It can make tasks more fun.

We love multifunctional objects -- especially when they economize on footprints with retractables, collapsibles, stackables. Cristel's thoughtful Mutine cookware collection stacks and has removable handles, much easier to tuck into those deep drawers.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com.)