Lisa McDennon Talks Trends + What’s on Her Radar at High Point Market

With this month’s High Point Market in mind, Lighting News Now sat down with renowned interior designer Lisa McDennon of Lisa McDennon Design – whose signature style has become synonymous with coastal California – to discuss which trends in the industry will remain strong and what she will be searching for on her clients’ behalf at High Point Market.

McDennon, who earned an ARTS Award last year for design last year, has collaborated with Hinkley for more than 10 years and launched an exclusive lighting collection for the brand in 2018. Since then, the eponymous collection continues to evolve and has become a popular line for lighting showrooms that carry Hinkley.

LNN: What is your priority when developing new lighting pieces?

LM: When I design products, I first look for gaps in the marketplace. If I’m having difficulty finding a product, it spurs me to create it. I know if I’m looking for it, others are, too — whether that may be an interior designer or a consumer.

In particular, I keep scale in mind, especially with lighting, because that can play a critical role in determining whether it will be marketable as a production piece for consumers.

LNN: Which design trends do you think will have staying power over the next five years?  

LM: I do think brass is going to continue to be a strong influence in our design industry for the foreseeable future. We are starting to see more variations in the brass finishes — more unlacquered brass, burnished brass, various shades of brass, and more patinas. I am also seeing bronze with heavy brass undertones.

Copper is also a finish I hope to see more of; recently I have been using copper plumbing fixtures and hope there are more offerings in other categories.

On the other side of brass, of course, is silver. We are starting to see that pop up as well, so be on the lookout for this finish making a comeback in the future. You may have heard the new term, “gilver,” which refers to a gold/silver finish and is a bit like champagne — but a bit richer in color.

LNN: What are some emerging design trends that are just starting to show up in the high end that we will see beginning to trickle down over the next five years?

LM:  I think we are going to see a lot more dramatic finish contrasts – there are currently deep, rich colors in textiles, and they are also appearing in tabletop and home accessories. I am seeing darker, richer finishes — deep blacks and browns, as well as various shades of mocha and chestnut.

Glass and natural stone will also continue to evolve – with more variety in color and material – and I am eager to see these materials integrate further into lighting products and furnishings. 

Texture is also a key player when it comes to layering and contrasting finishes.  I am noticing a lot of ceramic tiles with relief patterns and geometric designs that have a heavy influence from the 1980s.

As a balance to the jewel tones, I am also seeing soft, earthy pastels emerge, including seafoam greens, mint tones, and various shades of peachy pink. Using those pastels and jewel tones in combination is super-hot!

LNN: What will you be keeping in mind when shopping for your consumer clients at Fall High Point Market?

LM: When I am shopping at High Point and other to-the-trade venues, I really want to try and see it all!  I think attending the shows is so important to see what is trending and new, as well as what is currently available. 

When I am shopping, I am searching for practical aspects as well as the aspirational.  We, as designers, look to our manufacturers and fellow designers to inspire us and push us to be more creative and innovative.

In design, my main priority is always to find the right piece for the project, but as we learned a few years ago with COVID, what we might want is not always available.  Right now, with tariffs, we are experiencing the impact of many products not being available, or experiencing either long delays or even some entire collections being discontinued. Navigating the changes in pricing is also challenging and something we are adjusting to both internally as well with our clients.

LNN: What will we see at Fall High Point Market regarding your product introductions?  

LM: For fall market I have an extension of my Luca outdoor lighting collection for Hinkley, and I have several new collections currently in product development and production that will be released in the coming year. 

I also am branching out beyond lighting design and will have a new rug collection debuting in 2026, so keep your eyes and ears open!  My goal with product design is to stay true to my design ethos while taking into consideration the brand’s voice. This is much like how I design for my own clients; I enjoy being able to create products and designs that are a true reflection of their aesthetic and speak to their customer base, but with my unique spin.