Common Threads

While the juvenile/youth industry covers a plethora of product categories, there are some common threads that bind them together, aside from their end users, and those threads are trends.

So far this year we've seen products from the Atlanta gift show, furniture from Las Vegas, textiles from Germany and toys, textiles and gifts from New York.

Color palettes seem to be a toning down a bit; they aren't the ubiquitous primary reds, yellows, blues and greens but rather muted, yet still saturated shades. The spring-like hues are showing up on everything from plush and infant developmental toys to textiles.

The black and white trend is still going strong, possibly even picking up momentum, but now manufacturers are punching it up with other colors, sometimes so much so that the story becomes about the other hues rather than the black and white. Prints are becoming bolder and larger as well, whether it's in floral motifs or block patterns or thematic.

While gender-neutral contemporary and modern beds and case goods are still popular, feminine designs appear to be making a resurgence. Ultra-feminine details such as fancifully cut clear drawer pulls, floral motifs, poster beds and carvings are just some of the accents showing up on the latest collections. And while white remains the finish for girls' groups, yellow and various shades of green are popping up as well.

Here are a few mini-trends we're starting to watch. Look for cupcake themes; argyle patterns and more tailored details in bedding. Metallic elements also are emerging on everything from top of bed to diaper bags. Eco-friendly products also are gaining popularity. Plush made from soy, textiles made from bamboo, toys and furniture made from rubber wood or wood from sustainable forests are making their way into the mainstream.

Metallic highlights are found on the baby pouf from dantebeatrix. It's made of a lightweight nylon and trimmed with pearly pewter leather, (212) 431-5860.

Acme Furniture's Dollhouse collection features pink curtain accents and floral motifs for a sweet, princess room, (626) 964-3456.

The Plush Pad from Ah Goo Baby shows how muted hues and oversized prints are fashion-forward. The portable changing pad has a plush memory foam insert and comes in three new styles, including retro daisy, (609) 512-1009.

Emma from Jay Franco is on trend with its black and white accents paired with orange and with its focus of oversized flowers, (212) 679-3022.

Enchanted Dreams, by Kathy Ireland Home by Standard, pays ode to European Victorian style. The group features a pearlescent white finish with carved details, bun feet and acrylic knobs, (800) 767-7667.

Halsten from Broyhill Furniture is designed to grow with the girl. The collection, shown here in aged mint with pine tops on the cases, includes a panel bed with eyelet cane accents, which is offered in twin, full and queen sizes, (828) 758-3630.

The Night Life bookcase from Sweet Beginnings' Rockstar collection is a great example of the muted hues out there but also of the metallic accents emerging, (561) 278-4414.

Freckles' Argyle collection shows how this design element is coming on the scene. The argyle pattern doesn't overwhelm and is used in moderation, (813) 792-0633.

Get Glam from Whisper Soft illustratesanother version of metallics, this time on textiles. The silver butterflies flit across a softly hued striated blue background, (212) 213-1135.

The Riley crib collection from Alli Taylor Bedding blends a soft lime green in solid stripes and curlicues with black and white, (919) 562-4978.