First Impressions of High Point Market

New Discoveries

Being in this industry and living it day-in and day-out for years, you have a pretty good idea of different vendors and designers. The excitement of attending Market is getting to find the hidden treasures you otherwise wouldn’t have known about. These new discoveries present you with showrooms that completely stop you in your tracks. As much as I have seen beautiful designs and unique furniture, there are two showrooms that stood out to me the most, and I am glad I was able to find these gems! Global Views and Cyan Design presented beautifully designed home décor and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that were totally glitz and glam. Just what I love!

What Is Here To Stay

With the excitement of finding new trends, as well as hunting for new showrooms, comes the eagerness to find out which trends are still going strong and which trends to ditch – yet another reason High Point is a must attend show. It was fun to experience first-hand designs that showed up a few seasons back and had huge question marks regarding their durability in the design world. “Do I invest in a piece that seems to be all the rage now or will it fizzle away within a few months?” We have all asked ourselves this question. Showrooms like Rowe Furniture and Bungalow 5 definitely were there to put minds at ease, showing us that acrylic furniture and mirrored décor/furniture are definitely here to stay for a while.

Heart Behind The Brand

When we look at furniture and home décor, we often see only the objects and miss the story behind the brand, or simply forget that the brand didn’t just arrive, fully formed, but was once a startup and has a story to tell about the people who built it from from the ground up. I had the privilege of meeting the hearts and souls behind three brands that were breathtaking and inspirational. Where else would an opportunity like this come up? Touring the Becara showroom, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom and the new collection from Charles Neal in the Caracole showroom, I had the honor to meet the designers themselves and hear about the inspiration, the story and the passion behind the designs that we all see every day.

Charles Neal is a talented designer to the stars. He is humble and sweet, and the elegant, Hollywood glam-inspired collection he created with Caracole completely speaks to his style.

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams create collections full of heart and complete with soul. After meeting the talented designers behind this brand, I could see where the essence of the designs came from.

Unequaled Networking

Last but certainly not least, what inspired me the most at High Point Market was all the amazing networking. To be surrounded by people who are driven by the same passion is an experience that is enlightening and energizing. Starting out as a place for buyers and vendors to connect, Market has turned into something much bigger. It provides nearly endless opportunities to meet talented designers, inspiring entrepreneurs, bloggers, talented podcast interviewers (Nick from The Chaise Lounge), faces behind huge companies (President & CEO of Bernhardt), and to learn the actual stories behind how the brands you love got started.