Tantalizing Trends: Cypress Home 2011 (Part 1 of 2)

September 30, 2010 Evergreen Enterprises, Inc. 0 Comments

Last month, we unveiled the new Spring-Summer 2011 catalog for our Cypress Home indoor home entertaining division. At over 500 pages, it’s the largest catalog in the 17-year history of our company! Under the direction of product manager Lynn Wagner, our Cypress Home brand has grown and diversified significantly over the last couple of years. Each year we re-examine the latest trends in home décor and fashion, then consider how we can adapt our product collections to these trends to make them most beneficial to our customers.

Here are some of the key top trends of late:
(Click on each photo to view it larger.)


Bright Colors
People today are looking for energy and excitement, and finding it in vivid, vibrant colors. They are drawn to a color palette that reflects their increasingly upbeat, positive outlook on the world. Kit Yarrow, a consumer psychologist, believes that bright colors “express a budding feeling that’s more optimistic and refreshed.”¹ Consumers want to feel “reborn, renewed…and even a little bit risky.”²

This new desire for a “splash of color” includes emerging aubergine and purples  offset by both warm and cool brights: fuchsia, turquoise, kiwi, limone and sunburst orange. Whether used in painted art or silhouette patterns, these tones create eclectic, bold statements on a diverse scale in any home.

For bright colors, see our new Floral Splash collection. You’ll also find perfectly coordinating companion pieces in our bright-colored earth-friendly EcoBamboo plates and trays, and in our bright recycled glassware.


Bird & Floral Patterns
A new kind of “flower power” is popping up everywhere. We see this in kitchen and home textile designs using traditional floral motifs in bright colors coupled with birds and butterflies set on neutral backgrounds or using romantic smaller florals in pinks, golds, and washed-out violet, fucshia, salmon, and teal to olive greens.

For designs combining birds and florals, search out our new Bird Study collection. Our Madison’s Garden collection also continues to be a popular choice. Again, our EcoBamboo makes the perfect complementary addition.


Cupcake Celebrations
Whether someone is hitting that milestone birthday, enjoying the triumph of graduation, remembering a special anniversary or just needs a pick-me-up, you can always find a reason to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than with cupcakes?

America’s latest love affair with cupcakes started a few years ago, and is still going strong, moving into the public eye with Food Network and Martha Stewart. In terms of color, we’ve noticed that greens are emerging, as well as teal, mint, and other “sherberts.” Imagine: bright colored frosting, whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top—what could be more entertaining?

Feel the sugar rush in our Sweet Escape collection, featuring fun cupcake colors and even a metal cupcake stand.


Coastal Living
What better portrayal of summer fun in the sun than a beach? While this trend will have more regional appeal, coastal-themed décor is alive and well in Cypress Home. Those who enjoy life by the water will want to fondly recall the times spent in the sand and surf through familiar symbols such as flip-flops, starfish, sand pails, and of course seashells.

Visit our Sandy Days collection for a trip back to the beach before—or even after—the fall season sets in.


Animal Prints
This is one trend that keeps coming back, almost every decade. To some, it might be a flashback to the ‘80s. For others, it could be a subliminal nod to our ancient ancestors in early human civilization. However you look at it, the point is that people are looking at it. Leopard and zebra patterns, such as those on our new Insulated Cups, are probably the two strongest animal prints right now.

We’re looking at ways to expand this trend into new product (including some snakeskin patterns) for our upcoming Fall 2011 release, so be on the lookout!



Shop the entire Cypress Home catalog and product line using our Online Resource Center.


Notes:
1.    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/fashion/15COLOR.html
2.    http://www.styleite.com/retail/bright-colors-trend-economy/

Bring Upscale, Feel-Good Function to Your Garden for 2011

September 24, 2010 Evergreen Enterprises, Inc. 0 Comments

Following the release of our latest Spring-Summer 2011 New Creative garden catalog, we wanted to take a few minutes to share some highlights from this new product release. With New Creative Enterprises (NCE) we take a designer-inspired, collection-based approach to garden décor, with a look that is a bit more decorative and upscale than our Evergreen Garden line. We hope you’ll notice this touch in the sculpting and painting that goes into each of these wonderful pieces.

With that, here are our top 3 collections from last month’s release:

1. Gnome Sweet Gnome
Inspired by all of the forest dwellers that come to life when we are not looking, these gnomes live their lives in a world of wonderment. They are friends of the forest who work hard by day and relax in their village accompanied by all their nature friends. Playful and mischievous, but they will protect your garden with neighborly loyalty. Designed by Jeff Mora, this collection applies visual cues such as mushrooms, birds, and other signs of storybook forest life to items such as chimes, feeders, birdhouses, planters and more.

2. Forest Fairy
This group of wistful and reflective (yet refined) fairy statuaries will find a home in the hearts and gardens of any who allow themselves to be captivated by their peaceful expressions. Adorned with botanical elements of nature, these delicate and delightful creatures demonstrate their love for and unity with the outdoor environment around them. Both the smaller fairies with a white bisque look and the larger, earth-toned fairies have been a hit. As shown at left, many are sculpted to sit on walls or steps as they ponder the nature around them.

3. Nature’s Slumber
Designed by Layhou Lam, and drawing from the simplicity and solitude of the life of St. Francis, patron saint of animals, Nature's Slumber is a peaceful collection of furry friends caught in the innocence of sleep. St. Francis wanders past, captured in various poses through statuary, plaques, and other timeless decor. A natural aged terra cotta finish lends a classic appeal to the entire group, including feeders, statuaries, and more.

Another group that has performed well lately include our new Pond Symphony collection, designed by Mark Haas. Inspired by garden ponds and imagining the whimsical secret life of playful creatures, this collection evokes the idea of a host of friends playing music in one grand symphony put on each night by Mother Nature. Each is carved in rich detail and look great in the garden or gracing a child's bedroom. A garden bell accents each beautiful sculpture. We see this as a great collectible group, where people will want to own several pieces to create their own backyard musical event.

While a large part of NCE has traditionally focused more on design than function, we are seeing a shifting trend in garden buyers, for both retailers and consumers alike, towards more practical garden décor. No doubt the tougher economy of the last couple of years has had a effect, and while people love and appreciate beautification, looks alone are not enough. People now are looking for products with more function to help them justify their purchases. They also have a greater appreciation for product with inspirational phrases and other positive messages. “We all want to feel better,” says product manager Tere Eggleston. We hope that you’ll take advantage of the positive and practical items in the newest NCE catalog, while also enjoying the beauty and color that they bring to any outdoor garden setting.

Shop all of our garden product using our Online Resource Center.

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