Small Batch Creators

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker (and cheesemonger, glassblower, jeweler, et cetera) are back. Experts are predicting the rise of a new artisan economy fueled by disillusioned workers in the fallout of pandemic malaise.

At the end of 2015, Etsy, the online bastion of custom and handmade products, served 1.6 million active sellers and 24 million active buyers. By the end of the third quarter of 2022, it was serving 7.4 million active sellers and 94.1 million active buyers. Amazon Handmade, a smaller market within Amazon Marketplace, launched in 2015. Within five years, the number of active makers increased 750% while the worldwide selection increased 2,000%. Today, tens of millions of products have been sold globally.

Authentic, artisanal accents throughout the home are an opportunity to support small and local businesses and connect with buyers and tell memorable, compelling stories in a competitive market. Possible areas include door hardware, cabinetry, lighting, and plumbing fixtures.

When it comes time for move-in and closing gifts, nobody wants wine glasses or towels with their community’s name on them. Here is another opportunity to think local and artisanal. Loop & Tie is an online gifting platform offering thousands of options sourced from small business across various price points. You can even give residents the option to select their own gift or donate a sum to charity if none of the items spark their fancy—which also means a gift “miss” won’t end up in landfill.

Vibrancy

Natural finishes and features pair well with an infusion of color. Viva Magenta, Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year, is a statement-maker. Pantone describes it as “an unconventional hue for an unconventional time.” Compared with 2021’s Color of the Year, Ultimate Grey, which represented steadiness, this year’s Color of the Year and 2022’s Very Peri show an evolution toward brightness and daring as we turn to color for some much-needed happiness quotient.

Benjamin Moore echoes this sentiment with its 2023 Color of the Year selection, Raspberry Blush.

On the runways, where home design and décor color trends often initiate, we also saw lively hues reign. Valentino’s fall/winter 2022/2023 collection embraced colors including royal blue, neon green, and vivid orange. Jean Paul Gaultier showed pinks, reds, and blues.

After years of contraction and still lingering uncertainty, color represents an unrestrained burst of impactful energy poised to infuse joy.

Introduce color thoughtfully in high-impact areas such as branding, front doors, kitchens, and bathrooms.