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It’s hard to believe more than two weeks have passed since my first trip to High Point Market! You guys, it was a blast. I met so many likeminded bloggers and designers in person! Bloggers spend so much time on the internets interacting with each other, what a concept to meet others in person who also love to do the same things as you! We all just got each other, and it was very refreshing.
You’re probably asking yourself – what is she talking about again? If you recall, I was one of 10 design bloggers selected to attend the Fall 2017 High Point Market for the Design Bloggers Tour. This sounds like gibberish to you doesn’t it? It totally did to me when I first learned of High Point Market and the Design Bloggers Tour. I remember I had to Google it, and wikipedia it, and search the hashtags on Instagram before really understanding why someone would want to travel to the most rural of parts in North Carolina.
What is High Point Market?
High Point Market is the world’s largest home furnishings trade show, and brings over 75,000 people from around the world to this rural town in North Carolina. High Point Market is held twice a year, it offers more than 11 million square feet in showroom space, and is basically an interior designer’s dream destination.
Who goes to High Point Market?
SO MANY PEOPLE! Home decor retailers, interior stylists, home stagers, interior designers – the list is endless. The goal is to check out the latest and greatest in home furnishings, what’s on trend, what’s brand new to the market. If you want an edge in offering your clients fashion forward interiors, attending market is a must! Home retail business owners also attend High Point Market to scout for product to source for resale. Some folks attend market to get discounts on showroom furniture!
What is the purpose of the Design Bloggers Tour?
Every market for the past few years, High Point Market has partnered with PR firm Esteem Media to assist in vocalizing all things “market”. A select group of showrooms and brands sponsor the tour, therefore putting themselves on the list of showrooms the design bloggers visit and then share with their following. A brand interested in sponsoring typically has something new they want to share with a larger audience than just the folks who pass by their booth.
Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist, www.
Deborah von Donop, dvd Design, www.dvdinteriordesign.
What do the Design Bloggers have to do?
The design bloggers are sponsored to give their feedback and experience about High Point Market and the showrooms visited. So, to share my experience with you I’m going to break up this post into 2 parts, day 1 and day 2. I’m excited to share with you the showrooms we visited the first day!
Universal @universalfurn –We mainly visited the new Smart stuff line for kids at Universal Furniture. Their kids line of furniture was incredibly design minded yet attainable, it felt collected and individualistic. I was really impressed! Universal’s price point is in the upper middle range, not too expensive yet not super cheap. All Universal products are sold through authorized retailers, but I encourage you to check out their catalogues, they have items for all tastes!
This flower + washi tape wall was one of my favorite installations. While temporary with real flowers, you could totally do something similar with dried or faux florals. Everyone loved it!
Wexel Art @wexelartLearning about Wexel Art was one of my favorite moments at High Point Market. The two founders, both moms looking for a creative and stylish yet easy way to display their kids art, founded the company on a bootstrapped budget. These two moms were the real deal, busting butt to build a company and product they loved. All of the bloggers on the tour loved their story, and loved the versatility of the floating frame.
We were all stunned when Wexel Art gifted everyone one of their table top frames, we were obsessed! I’m already splaying my son’s halloween art at home, it’s the best product and something I recommend gifting this holiday season.
Wexel Art shared a space in their booth for a High Point Market newbie, Cochine, basically the most beautifully packaged candles and fragrances ever.
Theodor Alexander @theoalexTheodor Alexander is a leading furniture manufacturer who has collections in all shapes, sizes, tastes, and now budgets. We visited the newest arm of their collection, the Castle Bromwich collection, which they referred to as the “son” of their traditional lines, essentially offering quality crafted furniture to the next generation. All of Theodor Alexander’s furniture is handmade, and they pride themselves on their creative mix of materials.
Jamie Drake for Theodore Alexander was also an inspiring spot. Jamie Drake is king of Mid Century glamour, and it really shines in his curated spaces. Can you even handle that pink sofa??
The below space was one of my favorite designed spaces, it must be the black and taupe and rift sawn oak. Just a perfect composition!
Scott Living Home #scottliving Drew @mrdrewscott Johnathan @mrsilverscott
Guess what guys? The Property Brothers have expanded their offerings into furniture! All pieces in the Scott Living collection are at an extremely affordable price point, giving access to all to get the look they’re most known for in their hit HGTV show, The Property Brothers. I would say their furniture line is perfect for apartment sized living. You can shop the collection at Lowes.
Bernhardt @bernhardtfurnitureThe Bernhardt showroom was a hit amongst all the design bloggers, Bernhardt sponsors the tour every year, and it’s one of those showrooms everyone looks forward to. Bernhardt, the company, is the largest family owned furniture companies. They’re headquartered in North Carolina, and you can feel their appreciation and love for being such an integral part of the industry. This was my first introduction to Bernhardt furniture, and it did not disappoint! I snapped some photos of my favorite pieces, like this white faux branch canopy bed.
And this menswear fabric wrapped coffee table – definitely one of my favorite pieces!
I love their take on monochrome and masculinity, yet making it feel fresh and appealing from a feminine perspective.
Sunbrella was one of my favorite exhibits! Sunbrella fabric was invented as a replacement for cotton duck fabric used in outdoors (like awnings). The company took awning construction of upholstery weight fabric and transformed it into a performance design minded product you see almost everywhere today. Sunbrella fabrics are the perfect merriment of design + performance in outdoors.
The fabric doesn’t absorb anything! The below scrap of fabric is sitting in bleach, and has been for a few days! The newest Sunbrella fabrics focus on woven qualities and textures, my favorite are (naturally) the new indigo fabrics! You see Subrella everywhere as they partner with furniture manufactures to cover furniture in their extremely technical fabric so we can get the best of both design and performance.
Duralee @duralee Duralee is a new-to-me brand, super feminine and high fashion. All Duralee furniture is manufactured in North Carolina, which makes their offerings extremely accessible to the industry. All of Duralee fabric is by Crypton fabrics – which if you’re new to Crypton, their fabrics are the “it” thing in home furnishings. Crypton fabrics are high performance, odor resistant, and stain resistant! Everyone refers to the white sofa dilemma, furniture covered in Crypton fabrics allows homeowners to finally put that white sofa in their high traffic living space! Crypton has created the most dynamic fabrics that feel luxurious and high end, yet perfect for everyday use.
I enjoyed Duralee’s showspace as they showcased beautiful pieces of furniture draped in the softest, most beautiful fabrics. The entire showroom was curated by interior designer Lonni Paul @lonnipaul.
I hope you’re still with me! Our first day was packed to the brim, yet on our way out at the end of our day 1 tour, I scurried over to the Selamat showroom to meet Justina Blakeney! Justina was a complete gem, so warm and kind hearted!
I basically drooled all over the showroom.
That’s a wrap on day 1! Can’t wait to share with you day 2!
