The Joys of Market

                                                                    High Point Furniture Market

This event happens every Fall and Spring in High Point, North Carolina. It is basically fashion week for interior designers. This is where we preview new products released for the coming season. HPMKT is the largest interior design convention around. We get a chance to see what’s new and trending in the design world. 

It was nice to see kind of a theme with every showroom, like everyone was on the same page as far as colors and design this year.

Starting my journey off with one of my favorite showrooms was: Hooker Furnishings.

They have everything except lighting and rugs. I saw plenty of neutrals and grays, which are connected to the colors of the year. I love their showroom, it’s very large, bright, and open. I immediately loved their new collection, BoBo. It is a mix of industrial modern farmhouse, and rustic. It’s definitely a different collection for them, but this new line has elements that can work with any design.

Next stop, onto Bernhardt Furniture. This is another one of my favorite showrooms and companies! Amazing upholstery that I have been using for years. It's nice to see that boucle is finally fading out. It's been around for 2 years now and has never been my favorite. It’s like sherpa, but not as pilly. Thankfully I’m seeing less. I love Bernhardt, and the showroom is beautiful, but it’s very neutral, so I’d love to see some pops of color! Boucle and Beige are just two trends I’m not a huge fan of. Iit seems like the colors are coming back, even muted tones and not necessarily bold colors. 

Thibaut Furniture is up next and another favorite! They do wall coverings, wallpapers, fabric, and furniture with a great price point. They have a traditional showroom, but it was more updated this year and had a modern design!

Moving onto Art, I use Paragon Art. They have everything I’m looking for. From colors to sizes, to price points and the shipping is reasonable! I popped in there and did a few orders for clients, I just love their products! Abstracts are my favorite to use for clients, they have a wide selection and variety. Then my friend, designer Libby Langdon, popped in and has a lovely new collection. The card suits were my favorite, and they would look great in a game or media room.

Now moving onto Lamps and Rugs.

Surya is a great company to work with. I loved the travertine marble base lamps with a linen shade. They’re super heavy and sturdy, but a pretty design even with neutrals. Textured white is a staple.

Their rugs are also my favorite. Light blues, beige, off white, and gray are my favorite colors to work with. I can always find what I’m looking for and the price point is where I need it to be for my clientele. 

Onto Eastern Accents, this is a drapery, bedding, and throw pillow company.

Their custom warehouse is based out of Chicago, and easily ships to NC. They do custom lengths for drapery. I just send them my measurements, they fabricate the drapery panels, then ship them to me. I do all drapery installations myself. 

I immediately saw my favorite designer, Thom Filicia, as he was there when I walked in! He was on the original Queer Eye, and I’ve known him in the design world for 10 years! He has his own collection with EA.

The new collection that caught my eye has beautiful mustard yellow, gray, and other neutrals mixed in. Modern and chic with an adobe-southwest influence, but not the patterns, just in the details and colors. 

While all of that is so fun, the most fun are the parties at the end of the long days. Most of the showrooms have these wonderful parties where I get to socialize and network. It is also great to see people I’ve known at market for years. It’s just a wonderful, all around great time, at High Point Furniture Market!