“The next six days that matter.”
A most distinct privilege, as an interior designer, is to have entree to one of the best furniture shows in the world . . . in High Point, North Carolina. Even though I’m able to take more frequent advantage of visits, as I live a short drive away, I never take for granted the special access I am able to have to such a huge variety of trade and industry-only showrooms! With over 11.5 million square feet of showroom space, (yes, this isn’t a typo), I can’t even begin to cover every venue in the six days of this show. Aside from examining and experiencing the many product lines, there are all sorts of events, seminars, and exchanges of new concepts in design. While it can be quite a bit to process, I always come back energized from being immersed in the field I so love!
(Trend predictions? We’ll see a continuation of: classic, modern, new traditional, jeweled tones, mixed metals, painted finishes, Asian flair & bold graphics. This room, bathed in purple and accented in gray, is indicative of the trends experienced in the European shows.)
Since the market is geared towards appealing to our visual sense, I’m going to step back and let you “stroll” the virtual halls and buildings with me, via a sneak preview. I’ll unveil my market finds, in a follow-up post. You’ll be in the “know”, even before some home design magazines hit the newsstands!
On the morning of October 17th, I’ll be having breakfast with Barry Dixon! (Well, actually, he will be the guest speaker for the WITHIT Education Breakfast.)
As a WITHIT member, I’m excited to be able to hear this world renowned interior designer expound on his presentation, “Organically Inspired: Referencing the Natural World Beyond the Window in the Modern Interior”. I’m a huge admirer of his work and can’t wait to see more! (And for a 7:30 am breakfast, you know I have to be a BIG fan!)
Some of the vendors will be unveiling new showrooms. Hickory Chair and Pearson are moving to the North Hamilton complex. They will be in fine company with several other distinctive manufacturers.
Not only will Hickory Chair be in an exciting new showroom, they will be the location for several fabulous market events! If you are in the industry, come meet up with your Twitter & Facebook Design friends on October 17th!
For the past eleven years, I’ve considered Pearson as my “go-to” line, for some of the industry’s finest quality upholstery. I think they offer wonderful construction, comfort and fabulous custom options! In comparing their pricing with some of the well-known catalog companies, they bring a higher value story to my clients. I love that they are a North Carolina manufacturer, about ten minutes from the center of the High Point Market. The food concept of, “from farm to table”, is not too far-fetched, in parallel, when I’m able to provide the Pearson experience to my clients. I can have it delivered directly from the plant to their home. I not only consider how products are made, I also consider how far they have to travel to a destination. Pearson allows me to bring clients to the showroom, between markets, for a hands-on shopping experience!
While at market, I’ll be on the prowl for some great accessories! These are the “icing on the cake” items which can take a simple setting from dull to divine. I zero in on great lamps as they can serve the multi-purpose of function and fashion. If a room needs a new life, I’ll often scrutinize the lamps to see if they are up to par. (No lighting pun intended!)
(Lamps are taking their cue from organic shapes, with the ever popular gourd lamp still holding its own. Asian influences have been very strong, as the historic, clean lines work well with almost any style and period in design. Drum shades, which once graced 50’s & 60’s retro decor, will probably be interpreted from simple to pleated, and I hope, with a few more edge details. Of course, one can always add a bit of trim or braid, for a personal touch.)
A new exhibitor, for the upcoming market, will be Snug Furniture, a truly artistically inspired line of casegoods and upholstery. According to Snug’s Creative Director, Maybelline Te, “Snug Furniture explores shapes and forms that are both fresh and familiar. Each artistic design reflects the essence of the Snug Life---functional | beautiful | personal comfort that is truly at home now.” I had the honor and privilege to feature the Cocoon Chairs, shown below, at a tabletop event in the Charlotte area. I’m so excited for my dear friend, Maybelline, as she and her partner, Alex Hendricks, will share the Snug lifestyle in their Interhall Showroom!
(Snug’s sculptural pieces can be appreciated in all types of interiors.)
A doyenne of interior style, Bunny Williams, will also be debuting her BeeLine Home collection, during the fall market. She has written several books about the subject of interior design. Her experience, at the famed Parish-Hadley design firm, as well as her accomplished career at her own firm, Bunny Williams, Inc., brings her talent full-circle with this lovely line! Her collection will be found in the Wesley Hall Showroom, at 310 North Hamilton.
Looking for the true one-of-a-kind piece? The Antique and Design Center will definitely be on my agenda for a visit. This new venue will be opening with a preview on Friday evening, October 15th. With over 50,000 square feet of treasures from all over the world, their website declares the showroom to be “swoon worthy”. I can’t wait to see if that’s true. (And hopefully there will be an early 20th century fainting couch to catch me!)
Meanwhile, a first, not only for the High Point Furniture Market but also for the home furnishings industry, will be the big reveal of the winner of Project U Design on October 20th! (You can read all about it in my previous post.) There are now three finalists . . . students from the Savannah College of Art and Design, who will be waiting with baited breath to see if their wing chair design will be selected to be produced by Century Furniture. I can only imagine, when I was a student, what an impact this might have had on my career! Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite chair. Just click on the link, below.
Yes, my dance card will be full, as I waltz down the side streets and aisles of a wonderful world, filled with design inspiration! I’m reviewing my market books, my wish lists, and I’ll have my camera ready to take it all in. One of the reasons folks hire an interior designer is to help them sort through all of the choices and to provide the best possible options for creating a surrounding that say’s, “Hello, I’m home.” For that, I’ll put on my best walking shoes and hit the market trail!
(In my humble opinion, comfy feet = happy market!)
Shouldn’t you experience the best about design? I’m just a phone call away!
All my best! Wanda
Some other great lines to see, while at market:
John Strauss Furniture and TLS by Design – Showplace
Eloquence – Interhall
Scott Thomas – 525 North Wrenn – Tomlinson Bldg - *New Location
(You may remember my “hearting” this pair of doxie pillows, cleverly displayed on a bed in a previous post, which included a “Lonny Magazine” article.) 
I won’t go on and on about the rewards of pet adoption and how great the need is, right now, to help save the lives of animals who have lost the security of home and hearth. I’ll just give you a gentle reminder, since the holidays are approaching, and we may tend to forget that the lovely, dedicated people, from all of the animal rescue groups and shelters, never take a holiday from being there for our furry friends. They often have to dig into their personal funds, when times are tight, to save just one more. Thanks for thinking of them with a donation of any kind. If you know of an organization in need, or can help with sponsoring an animal, Twitter and Facebook are great places to get the word out. I’ve seen some amazing results, beginning with just one post!
As always, thank you for stopping by for a chat. If you have any thoughts or questions you would like to share, they are always welcome! 
