Just this morning I noticed the colors changing on the trees! It’s definitely Fall! In the design world, it means the Autumn edition of the High Point Furniture Market is almost here. Held twice per year in October and April, the next “market” will take place October 13-18th in High Point, North Carolina. Held since 1909, the market is a one stop destination for interior designers and furniture store buyers looking at the latest offerings from home decor companies. In fact, it’s the largest furniture industry trade show in the entire world, drawing about 75,000 visitors to town that week alone. There are 180 buildings chock full of wonderful lighting, accessories, art, rugs, and furniture of all kinds.
Heading to market is both stimulating and exhausting. There is so much to see! For us, it’s a fantastic way to find new sources and manufacturers, guaranteeing that we always order the best for our clients. Market is also a way to see new product designs and trends. Some of our favorite decor items come from vendors we learned about in High Point! Now we do business regularly with Visual Comfort for lighting, Arteriors for accessories, or Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings – just to name a few great High Point finds.
Before you get too excited and try to hop a plane down South, know that the market is open only to the trade. But you will get your chance to reap the benefits as designers and showrooms will soon have access to the latest wares. Another way to stay current is to read design magazines as they also send their staff to High Point to cover what’s hot.
This October’s market theme is “Fashion Focus” showing everyone how the fashion industry greatly influences trends in home design. One trend analyst who attended the Spring 2013 fashion shows in New York, says that looks that appear on the runways trickle down directly to what’s happening in our homes! Katharine and I avidly follow fashion, and we couldn’t agree more! The word is our homes will see more stripes, florals, denim, the color orange, and “garden party” color and decorating schemes in the coming months. Just as we express our personalities by how we dress, we do the same through our homes’ decor. Fashion and interior design share a foundation of color, fabric, construction and shapes that all combine to show our unique sense of self. I guess that’s why we are so drawn to both fashion and interior design. And can’t wait for our next trip down to High Point!