- May 4, 2023
- Rebecca Staub
After our recent trip down to High Point Market we are here to bring you what is trending in the world of interior design through our lens!
What is High Point Market
High Point Market is a furniture trade show that takes place biannually in High Point, North Carolina. High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. The market itself is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, featuring thousands of exhibitors and attracting tens of thousands of attendees from around the globe. The market is not in one large convention center, but in it’s own city with vendors who own or rent whole buildings throughout the city to show their product.
Who can attend Market?
High Point Market is a trade-only event, which means it is only open to registered members of the home furnishings and design industry, including retailers, interior designers, architects, and manufacturers. To attend, you need to provide credentials that prove your professional affiliation with the home furnishings industry, such as a business card, company letterhead, or tax ID number. You can register online or on-site, and there may be additional requirements depending on your role in the industry.
Why do designers attend Market?
Designers go to High Point Market to discover new trends and products, network with other designers and industry professionals, and purchase items for their clients or showrooms. It allows them to stay up-to-date on the latest designs and connect with vendors and manufacturers. They may also attend educational seminars and networking events, and use their findings to inform their design projects and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
It is important as a designer to see, touch and sit in all the furniture you are going to be recommending to your client. You get inside information straight from the manufacturer which helps you decide which lines you want to specify in your business. I also enjoy sitting in all the comfortable couches and chairs so that my busy professional clients don’t have to. Most of the showrooms are styled beautifully and it is fun to get inspired by the set ups.
Tips for designer’s at High Point Market
Here are some tips for designers attending High Point Market:
- Plan your itinerary in advance to make the most of your time at the market.
- Wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking involved.
- Bring business cards and network with industry professionals and vendors.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest design trends by attending seminars and events.
- Take notes and photos of products that catch your eye for future reference.
- Make it a point to take a break and eat something.
- Take breaks to recharge and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Have fun and enjoy the experience!
Trends from High Point
One of the things I love about attending High Point is that you get to see what is trending. I have summarized some of the trends that we were loving at High Point!
Trend 1: Fluting & Scallops
While this is not a new trend, we saw the continuation of love for fluted details and scallops. Or maybe just curved details in general.
Trend 2: More Color
We were happy to see more color at High Point. We saw and loved a lot of terracottas, dusty purples and warmer tones in general. Here at RSSD we love a little something extra so we are more than on board with the color trend!
Trend #3: Wood Tones & Burl Wood
It seems we are moving back to slightly darker wood tones, and a lot of burl wood… which I find myself gravitating towards lately. I have a client who is in his 70’s and has this beautiful antique burl wood piece that we incorporated into his new home, and since my encounter with this piece of furniture I think I am in love with all the burl wood!
It comes in lighter and darker finishes and I can’t decide which I like more. I usually lean light and bright, but this can be so moody, and really ground a room.
Trend #3: Textured Cased Goods
In interior design lingo, a cased good typically refers to a piece of furniture that is fully enclosed or covered, such as a cabinet, chest, or box. These items are typically used for storage and can add both function and style to a room. I kept gravitating towards cased goods at high point that were wrapped in linen or had a lot of texture. We are used to seeing this with our boucle and linen upholstery items, but I thought the use of texture on cased goods was something fun and elevated. I also like that these type of pieces feel great to the touch and are an added layer in any space.
Until Next Time
We were exhausted after three days at high point, but as always it was such an inspirational trip. I was able to fit in a business class, and found some fun new artists and vendors that we will incorporate into our designs.
What is your favorite part? Tell us in the comments! Do you love light or dark burl wood? Could you do a wrapped linen end table or do you think that is too precious? What is your risk meter on color?
Are you planning your own dream home and need some guidance on how to make the project come together? Or are you exhausted by all the little details you have to decide on? We can help. As you can see we practice interior design in Ridgefield, CT and beyond. Let’s have a conversation and bring your dreams to reality. Call us for a free discovery call today. You can also follow us on Instagram to see our daily updates!
