High Point Market 2017

High Point Market is a must-see for anyone in the design business. I try to go once a year to catch up with vendors, colleagues, and learn from the many educational events.

Trying to get from Wyoming to High Point, NC is always an adventure. No matter how I try to arrange my flights, there’s simply not a convenient way to get through four airports. This year the flights were even worse, and I knew I would have to sleep a night at the airport in Greensboro. It’s a good thing Wyoming gals are tough because even though I came prepared with an inflatable mattress and blanket, sleeping in an airport is NOT fun. Or should I say, trying to sleep?

After I got through that, everything else went smoothly. I connected with many people as well as hit many new showrooms I haven’t seen. I’m excited to be able to offer my clients great new product.

High Point is the first place to see what’s new and next before anyone else, and I get to share a few of those things with you today. Here is my summary:

• Gray is still strong. I don’t know how many years we’ll talk about it, but I don’t think people are ready to abandon its calming effect and the way it makes other colors sing. Don’t you love this adorable cabinet? That being said, warm woods are right behind the gray phase, and I’ll think you’ll see that wave in the coming years.

• Traditional and mid-century modern are the two strongest styles right now. Traditional showrooms were introducing mid-century lines, and vice-versa. This secretary stopped me in my tracks.

I snagged these mid-century lamps for my own home. They’ll go in my kids’ homework area. I’m usually not an impulse buyer, but these had me at hello! Maybe next week I’ll share a mood board with you of the space. It’s going to use a lot of what I have and be a very fun space.

• People love it or hate it, but gold is here for the long haul. I personally love it. Fine art always looks better in a gold frame, and I think today’s gold is much classier than the bright, shiny fixtures of the 80s. It has patina. Case in point: the above photos.
• The drive to make practical furniture continues (yay!). More indoor/outdoor fabrics are being released (I still told my vendors we need more, more, more) and functionality is high on manufacturer’s minds. Every showroom I went into was eager to show me swivels as soon as I walked in the door. Is that a trend? Maybe not, but it speaks to the lengths manufacturers are going to make us happy.
• And speaking of hardware, they are either total statement pieces or minimal. I love both!

Now, as you may have guessed, I was doing some serious head hunting for my own home. Here are a few of the things that made my list:

My front room is set up to have four chairs around a coffee table or ottoman. These are the chairs that I’m considering (but seriously, no promises I won’t change my mind to something else last minute). Whatever I settle on will be upholstered in indoor/outdoor fabric or leather. Because kids and dogs.

And I want this desk for my loft office.

 

I hope you enjoyed this short tour of Market. This doesn’t touch the amount of photos I took. If you need anything for your own home, reach out. And have a happy Wednesday!