Everything in your house has a story. You may have picked up your sofa at an estate sale downtown. It’s possible you have artwork on your walls from a visit to Mexico or the Caribbean. Your curtains may have once been hanging in your great grandmother’s parlor. It’s these stories — your experiences — that make a house a home.

Those stories are what also motive Nick Alain from the lifestyle brand of the same name. You see, Nick Alain has a lot of stories and experiences. Over the past 25 years, he’s traveled the globe and taken note of the true culture and natural designs of the places he visits. Then, he brings that inspiration back to the United States and creates one-of-a-kind furniture, home decor, and more.

We chatted with Nick Alain himself at the Las Vegas Market, and we found his story enthralling. Then, we checked out his product line and it matched his vibe perfectly.

If you’re dying to know all about the ideas behind the art that’s Nick Alain, read on.

The Backstory

Today, he’s referred to as “timeless, ” but the current Nick Alain collections have evolved a bit over time.

Growing up in Santa Fe, Nick was surrounded by the arts, which fueled his creative juices. His parents also guided Nick by allowing him to help design and make furniture in their own homes. By the ripe old age of 9, he won his first design award.

Since then, Nick has perfected his craft. Aside from designing furniture and decor for a slew of celebrities and co-founding a nationally-recognized brand Luna Bella, he’s currently expanding his own line of products via Nick Alain (the company) alongside his creative partner Elena Solomahko.

Today, as Nick continues to travel the globe, he brings those design ideas back to his Miami, Florida factory and gets to work creating perfection with Elena.

Shopping Nick Alain

At Las Vegas Market, we had the chance to take a look at some of the newest designs of the Nick Alain product line.

Nick tells us, “The new line for this season was heavily inspired by a trip to Moscow.” By traveling the city, viewing the architecture, and taking in the history, sights, smells, and sounds, he came up with the current furniture, lighting, and decorations designs.

Furniture

Similar to other designers we met at Las Vegas Market, Nick Alain believes that working with mixed media is the way to go, especially in today’s consumer-driven market. Nick likes to use a combination of metals, wood, and glass to create his furniture pieces.

He also uses high-quality fabrics, including 100% cotton and silky smooth velvet in his upholstery.

Again, everything you’ll find in his collection includes trinkets from his travels, such as beading and jewels.

Lighting and Accessories

The lighting options in the Nick Alain product line are stunning and surprisingly unique. You can immediately notice the strong Russian influence in the chandeliers and pendant light fixtures, especially in the details of the metal.

We also loved the more classic light fixtures featured in his showroom. The use of crystals and other glitzy materials, which were sourced all over the world, make for a dramatic conversation starter.

The accessories on display also have a very worldly feel to them. So whether you collect vases or are always looking for a trendy mirror, Nick Alain has something in his collection for you.

What’s Next for Nick Alain?

At Las Vegas Market, we learned that Nick Alain is determined to bring his goods to the west coast audience as well as Europe. He’s currently working on logistics to make sure his products make it overseas in perfect condition.

No matter what, with products like these, demand is bound to be high!

You’ll be seeing more and more Nick Alain in furniture stores and other retailers near you. Until then, follow his Facebook page to stay up with the latest designs and company-related news.

Jaipur Living started with two looms and a vision. But talk about coming a long way! This Atlanta, Ga., company is now a leader in the rug industry and a source of inspiration for many of the designers visiting Las Vegas Market.

We at House Tipster just had to see for ourselves what the excitement was all about, so we met with Jaipur’s trade show manager, Matt Peterson, to explore the company’s trendy collection of rugs and accents.

Jaipur Living manufactures and distributes rugs for all lifestyles, most of which are weaved in India. They had lots of products to show off to the Vegas audience this week, including outdoor rugs, modern designs, and even the natural weaves so popular on the West Coast.

According to Peterson, modern design is what’s really shaping home décor today. He’s reporting a shift from traditional to contemporary with more blacks, grays, and sophisticated colors, which Jaipur’s rugs are quick to pick up on.

One hot designer known for her modern sophisticated designs is Nikki Chu, he said, but also popular at Jaipur Living is the Kate Spade line of rugs, all part of the designer series.

As for another trend that’s big at Market this year, Peterson pointed to Jaipur Living’s new outdoor rugs.

“The newest thing is the woven outdoor rug that looks like flatweaves,” he told House Tipster.

Yet another trend – and particularly popular in California and Vegas – is the natural fiber rug.

“It’s sustainable, and we’re able to weave other materials like cotton and rayon in with them to give more interest, texture, and feel,” said Peterson.

Although a little trendier on the West Coast, these natural fibers are getting a second look everywhere that Jaipur Living sells rugs.

No interview with Jaipur Living would be complete without reflecting on the products that shaped the company from its inception.

Peterson explained, “The heart of our company is the high-end, hand-knotted rugs. That’s how our company actually started, and that’s what a lot of our weavers are doing. We sell everything from these, to machine-made rugs, every kind of construction.”

Want an accent to go along with your new carpet? Jaipur Living also has pillows, throws, and poufs, and we got to see some on display in Vegas.

The folks at Jaipur Living consider their success story to be one with a humble beginning. We mentioned the two looms and one vision, but didn’t touch upon the impressive journey that started with the company’s founder N.K. Chaudhary connecting people around the world with talented artisans in India.

“Through the coming years two looms would turn to 20, then 200 and beyond due to the attention gained from the artistry and quality Jaipur has become synonymous with today,” states Jaipur’s website.

Its key to success has been sustainability, a strong business model, and a passion for design seen in its bold colors, distinctive styles, and fashion-forward trending.

We can’t wait to see what surprises Jaipur Living may have in store for us at the next Las Vegas Market.

What happens in Vegas isn’t staying in Vegas, at least for this week! The designs we’ve seen over a number of categories including furniture, home decor, gifts, and bedding are bound to be heading to the shelves of your nearest retailer in the very near future.

While the thrill and excitement of Market hasn’t yet worn off since Day 1, our House Tipster team has finally gotten the lay of the land (which, after all, encompasses over 5 million square feet!) and we’ve been eagerly talking with some of our favorite vendors and manufacturers from across the US and abroad.

Below, you’ll see some highlights of our favorite exhibitions and interviewees from Day 4 of the Summer 2017 Las Vegas Market.

Nick Alain

Nick Alain, the founder and creative genius behind the Nick Alain furniture and design company, was chock-full of information about his company and products. We were taken by Nick’s focus on using worldly designs but manufacturing them here on US soil in Miami.

After a quick glimpse at his line, we noticed his designs didn’t focus on one type of material. Instead, he uses a mixture of metals, wood, glass, and upholstery to tell a story through his furnishings and accessories.

The inspiration behind every product comes from Nick’s travels abroad. Most recently, he came back from an extended stay in Moscow where he took notice of the architecture and the art-deco styles of the city. You’ll see a lot of that influence in his line moving forward.

Although he’s focused on reaching east coast-based markets in the past, Nick Alain is now heading west. We’re sure you’ll be seeing a lot more from Nick in the near future.

Browse the Nick Alain collection of elaborate lighting, furniture, and accessories here.

Loloi Rugs: Austin Craley

If you’re a fan of rug collaborations from your favorite designers and celebrities then there’s a chance you’re already introduced to Loloi Rugs. We spoke with Austin Craley, VP of Sales for Loloi who filled us in on all the great partnerships and products they’ve been creating over the years.

The first collection we looked at was the licensed collection from Ellen DeGeneres. According to Austin, Ellen has been very active in the design process for her line, which includes not just rugs, but pillows and throws. Although the line just launched in January, sales have been through the roof!

Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines also works closely with Loloi for her Magnolia Home rug collection. The line is true to her style and she’s worked diligently to ensure the price point is reasonable for her audience.

Throughout the Loloi product catalog,  you’ll notice a lot of oversized pieces that are upwards of 12’x18’, high-end, and hand knotted. If you have “champagne taste on a beer budget,” you’re bound to find something you love from Loloi Rugs.

The 2017 Catalog is available online, so window shop to your heart’s desire.

Karastan

Karastan is one of the most popular rug companies here in the US, so we were excited to speak with Kent Wilkins and get the scoop on their latest and greatest designs.

According to Kent, as more homeowners switch over to hardwood and tile floors, the demand from area rugs increases. They’ve taken note of that trend over at Karastan and are in the process of modernizing their line to meet consumer demand. Yes, Karastan has been known for their traditional designs in the past, but everything we saw today was definitely verging on transitional.

For the eco-friendly buyer, Karstan offers Smartstrand, a renewably sourced polymer.  In some of their newest rugs, they’re combining the Smartstrand technology with sustainable New Zealand wool and the result is nothing short of extraordinary.

Karastan rugs are found at many furniture and carpet stores such as Macy’s. To find a retailer, follow this link.

Jaipur Living

Thanks to Matt Peterson of Jaipur Living, we learned a lot about the current state of the rug and carpet industry. We had no idea that people were going crazy over outdoor rugs, but according to Matt, they sure are.

Jaipur has seen a significant increase in sales in their outdoor rug and pillow collection, which is made from hand-hooked polypropylene. They’re even learning that consumers are loving their outdoor rugs so much, they’re using them indoors as well!

The majority of these rugs are imported straight from their factories in India.

Similar to other rug and carpet companies we’ve talked with here at Market, Jaipur also collaborates with designers, including Nikki Chu and Kate Spade. Both lines are high-end and remarkably versatile for any room in a home.

Most products sold under Jaipur are found on their website, but you can also browse their online catalog here.

Classic Home: Thomas Andonian

If a generic, traditional piece of furniture or decor doesn’t cut it for you, look no further than Classic Home.  “Our best selling product for the past 3 seasons has been the bicycle console made of repurposed bikes. We hit on this style accidentally and the response has been incredible,” says Thomas Andonian of Classic Home.

Yes, you read that right—bicycles! They actually come from scrap yards in India and make for the perfect conversation piece for any home or business, for that matter.

Classic Home is all about creating eclectic, different, fun new products made of practically anything. Concrete is currently everywhere throughout their product line, as well as reclaimed wood, stone, and metal.

Here at Market, they’re introducing their ever-expanding line of stylized office furniture, including 15 new desk styles.

Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind or just some-of-a-kind pieces (Thomas’s words, not ours!) check out the Classic Home lifestyle galleries on their website.

Codarus

Codarus, a sales management group, runs showrooms across the country in Las Vegas, High Point, Atlanta, Dallas, and Laguna. What sets them apart from the crowd is, you guessed it, their collaborations.

The latest collection, called Handley Drive, is the brainchild of creative director Rick Janecek. He infuses details, including glitzy hardware into lighting, furniture, and other accessories.

Budding art collectors should check out their Finn and Ivy line, which is aimed for the newer art collector at a lower price-point. However, quality is definitely not lacking as you’ll notice with the detailed framing and matting options.

Most of the products sold by Codarus are cross-category, meaning there’s something for everyone. “No matter your aesthetic, you can find something you love.”

Visit one of the Codarus showrooms in Atlanta, Vegas, High Point or Dallas to check out their latest designs.

Are you “Marketed-out” yet? We hope not! We have one day left to find the best brands and products you need for your own home.

Through the use of vibrant colors like Tiffany blue, Abbyson has truly revolutionized leather with a display of home furnishings at Las Vegas Market that stand out as visionary.

We knew Los Angeles-based Abbyson for incorporating lots of leather in its home furnishings, but we never expected to see it portrayed with colors that pop, like lavender. We were amazed at this completely trendy twist on an ancient material that probably goes back to the cavemen days.

But this is Abbyson’s 10^th anniversary at Market, and the company was determined to mark the occasion with showroom designs powerful enough to influence the design world in 2018.

“Our history is leather,” Tara Bahri, designer and trade manager for Abbyson, told House Tipster’s Media Team. “That’s what we’ve excelled in. That’s what we’re known for, and that’s where our quality really rises to excellence,” she said.

“What we’ve done is brought all these beautiful colors to life, but in leather, so as you go around our showroom, you’re going to see the Tiffany blues, the pops of lavender. You’re going to see these blues, and you’re going to be like, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen that in a leather!’”

As Abbyson’s design team reflected on what’s new for 2018, they identified the most distinct trend as the explosion of brilliant colors and embraced the same for the company’s own furniture and home décor.

“We really wanted to position ourselves uniquely so as you’re walking around all these showrooms, you’re seeing a burst of color but a lot in fabric,” Bahri said.

Abbyson is a company known for its innovations, but it never shifts from a commitment to being “makers of the living experience.”

According to this philosophy, Bahri said, Abbyson doesn’t work to just create a product but to create an experience for all of its buyers.

A home-furnishings company inspired by art and design from all around the world, Abbyson has long been committed to the exciting design force that is almost in its backyard – the Las Vegas Market.

With the care the company put into its showrooms, interior designers were being drawn like a magnet to the new designs at Market. These are the styles they hope to bring back to their clients, and Abbyson was primed to partner with them. The company really thrives on the passion of designers and seeks to mirror that passion in its own products.

“Our design team works tirelessly to really create pieces and colors that connect with culture and trends…,” Bahri said.

With Abbyson furnishings, there’s a commitment to quality each step of the way, she said. After all, furniture you love has to withstand the test of everyday use.

It’s what one might expect of a family-based company, named after founder Abby Rafieha and his sons.

We were fascinated with the history of Abbyson, after learning how Rafieha visited Tibet in 1987 where he met with members of the Dalai Lama family and was introduced to Buddhism. Through this visit, Rafieha found inspiration for his home-furnishings line. He continued traveling the globe in search of ideas, visiting some 50 countries, and then in 1989, Abbyson started importing one-of-a-kind Tibetan products, rugs, and furniture.

For more than 30 years Abbyson has taken pride in being a home-furnishings brand that keeps on redefining itself through modern-day living.

We’d glad Abbyson continues to keep Las Vegas Market as one of its destinations.

In just 72 hours, we’ve talked with world-class designers, knowledgeable brand representatives, and eager retailers. We’ve learned a lot more than we could have ever imagined about emerging trends in home decorations and furniture. And we’ve had a blast making new friends and meeting up with old ones here at World Market Center Las Vegas.

If you love learning about and browsing new trends in home design, then check out these amazing companies we had the pleasure of interviewing during Day 3 of Las Vegas Market.

Home Trends & Design

There’s been a huge increase in the consumer demand for wood according to Warren Clark, visual projects and marketing director at Austin, Texas-based furniture manufacturer.

But unlike many furniture companies, Home Trends & Design doesn’t import their products. They design and create them from scratch. Not only does this ensure retailers and the end-buyer gets a top-notch piece of furniture, but it also means that many furniture pieces are completely customizable.

Warren filled us in on Home Trends & Design’s custom slab offerings, a favorite feature among retailers and designers. With this program, the buyer can pick and choose unique slabs of wood sourced sustainably from all over the world. Then, they select a finish and base to complete the process.

Along with their custom options, Home Trends & Design also works with a team of in-house designers to bring their ideas to life. Currently, they’re using mixed media in many new designs. You’ll love the combinations of wood and metal, concrete and wood, and concrete and metal, to name a few.

We also appreciated the bring metallic finishes they used throughout their product line, namely zinc and antique gold.

It was great meeting Warren and learning about everything Home Trends & Design brings to the industry.

Three Hands Corporation

Since 1979, Three Hands Corporation has been offering the world fashion-forward home decor at reasonable prices. During Day 3, we spoke with Arden Yerelek of Three Hands about all the trends his company is focusing on this season.

Across the board, we’ve heard that customers love mixed media, and Three Hands is noticing the same trends. In response, they’re using a lot of galvanized metal and wood combinations throughout their collections.

One of the highlights of Three Hand’s exhibit was their ceramics featuring drip glazes, which are bound to add color and life to any room. If you’re into more subdued, coastal hues, then check out their sandstone vases.

Three Hands has showrooms in Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

Chandra

Rugs exhibitors are everywhere here at Market, but we think Chanda offers something unique to the industry.

What makes Chandra special? Maybe it’s because this small, family-owned and operated business crafts everything by hand. Or maybe it’s because they produce the vast majority of wools and fabrics themselves.

Either way, their designs are phenomenal, and the craftsmanship is incomparable.

“We care about the spirit of involving humans, not machines [in the process],” according to Gabby, Chandra’s Market representative.

Aside from Market, Chandra runs full-time, permanent showrooms in Las Vegas and High Point.

CDI Furniture

Collaboration is key for CDI Furniture. This manufacturer and supplier of furniture from Montreal, Canada offers an impressive array of lifestyle decor, from chandeliers and other light fixtures to sofas, shelving, beds, and more.

Here at Market, we talked with three members of CDI Furniture’s team: Creative Director Omar, Product Development and Marketing Director Jonathan, and CEO David. Through them, we learned about CDI Furniture’s beginnings in 2000 as well as their introduction to the US market five years ago.

CDI Furniture brings something new to the table here at Market. Sure, they’re known for their avant garde designs. But they’re also regularly collaborating with both U.S. and Canada-based designers. If you get a chance to browse their online product list, then you’ll immediately notice that CDI uses a lot of recycled and reclaimed wood.

Not surprisingly, CDI Furniture is finding that mixed media sells in today’s market, so they’re continuing to introduce new combinations of marble, metal, and wood into the products they create.

Here at Market, we got a glimpse of their new line of chandeliers, tribal-themed pillows, and a slew of new wood furniture products.

Alder & Tweed

Ryan Humphrey of home outfitters Alder & Tweed describes his company as modern and sophisticated. Yet, it’s also a down-home family-run business based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Interestingly, Alder & Tweed Furniture also operates an interior design firm (also called Alder & Tweed), which helps to inspire their work.

Every item in the Alder & Tweed’s furniture line has a stylish, designer-oriented finish made with the end-customer in mind. Most are designed for dining and living areas. But, to be honest, this isn’t your grandma’s dining room chair.

After browsing their 18 new products shown exclusively here at Market, we noticed that they favor lighter colored woods and soft, natural-looking fabrics on their furniture.

During Day 3, we also spoke with Paige and Smoot Hull of The Vintage Round Top and Tara Bahri from Abbyson. Be on the lookout for these articles as well as more in-depth coverage, special features, and exclusive interviews from Day 4 of Las Vegas Market.