How does one write a wrap up for an enormous market full of inspiration and so many fun moments? I am not sure but this will be my attempt. I will give you my top ten products along with my top five vignettes and a look at some of my favorite people that I got […]
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How does one write a wrap up for an enormous market full of inspiration and so many fun moments? I am not sure but this will be my attempt. I will give you my top ten products along with my top five vignettes and a look at some of my favorite people that I got to connect with. So let’s go and see what I saw.
My Top 10 products:
This is a hard one to narrow down and I have specific reasons for selecting each one which I will share with you as I share the products. I am not listing these in any specific order because that is asking too much of me. (a little drama inserted here)
Once in a lifetime a person comes along that teaches you that it is okay to be different, to be exactly who you were meant to be. Iris Apfel is one of those people. I have been in awe of her for many years. I even have a Little Golden Book about her to read to my grandkids because she is proof that we can do anything. She became a model at the age of 90. This specific art piece is in my opinion a great interpretation of who she was and what she represented. I loved it. I have a thing for burl wood. I always have. I thought it was cool before it was a huge thing. The shape of this cocktail table mixed with burl wood veneer and a heavy yet clean wood grain veneer gives so much interest for me. It was a very large table which is something that is difficult to find at times so that was another plus for me. Gentle curves also provide a respite from the overall square shape. These lamps…well, you know they sing my song. Gorgeous, bold color. There are so many options with this line of lamps and yet still keeping the price point in a reasonable place. I adore all of the colors and shapes that you can mix to create custom lamps. So this isn’t just one product but it is the idea that I am definitely stealing. This mix of tables is very functional and bold. The round shapes paired with different heights for the perfect mix. Use them as one table or when you need, you can pull one of the smaller drink tables to a sofa or chair to set a drink down. This look wins for me. It checked a lot of boxes for unique value. I generally do not love modern furniture. It is too short for me and too deep. This sectional however gets a pass. I loved the shape, the comfort, and the overall size for a cozy family room where you want to add a great look, fabulous price, and comfort. It gives major style vibes also.
What a beauty. This sofa caught my eye immediately, and it wasn’t just because it was pink. Love the boucle fabric and the whimsical shaped back. This sofa is a looker but she packed major comfort, personally I would have done different pillows but we won’t take off points for that. The wood finish on the base was also on point, not too dark or light.
I am slightly obsessed with texture and banquettes. What this one lacked in cushion could be fixed but it was a nice style that you don’t see every day. BUT, let’s talk about the travertine table. Texture, interest, shape, and beauty all combine to create a table that you will literally have forever. This would make the perfect addition to a breakfast area or a formal dining area with different seating and setting. Lighting overall was a let down for me at this show, perhaps because I saw so much at the Lightovation show in January. This chandelier however was the exception, I really did appreciate the shape and style. I also like the size of it. Perfect over a bed or table. I could not possibly leave this beauty out of my top ten. I really felt like she should have come home with me to live but there is such a thing as a husband and he said we already had chairs. He is not wrong but they are not pink leather. I did not win that battle but I did get the photo of this beauty. It does come in other colors but why when you can be bold? I really am a strange bird. I love details and furnishings from rustic to formal, chic to modern and all points in between. This stunning reclaimed wood table with black and white top was literally to die for. A perfect combination of materials with a lovely shape. She certainly would be a conversation starter.
My Top Five Vignettes
Each showroom at High Point puts in so much work to showcase their offerings and there are so many good ones. I had a very difficult time narrowing down this category to five because I easily could have done that in one showroom in particular which is where I will begin. Thibaut never and I do mean never disappoints. With the beautiful wallpaper, fabrics, and their fine tailored furnishings, you could spend days in this showroom and it by no means is a very large showroom.
I will admit, I was smitten with this wallpaper and fabric book that I received shortly before going to market. I had already shown and specified this very wallpaper. This vignette did not disappoint. Let’s unpack everything to take note of in this vignette. First, the wallpaper in the prettiest shade of blue with sweet birds and blossoms and the same pattern on the beautiful drapery fabric. Keeping it from becoming overwhelming in the space by using the same pattern. The artwork, furnshings, lighting, florals, rug, and accessories were all perfection. I especially loved the botanical artwork, and the blue and green chair. Those two were a huge hit with so many. Narrowing down the Design Legacy Showroom is like trying to narrow down Thibaut, I just can’t. I love everything in both, which goes to show that you can love multiple styles. Staying true to my inner flower girl, I chose this area. The bold botanical wallpaper and the bench really grabbed my attention. The adition of the perfect pillows to compliment and not match the space also invites you to stay a while and I did. I took several headshots in this space. What a surprise to see this vignette in the Worlds Away space but I am here for it. From the wallpaper to the skillfully mixed colors, textures, and playful furnishings, I was in designer heaven in this space. They showed us how to mix some of the trends together for a casual yet maximillist look. My heart will always be wowed by a masterfully designed space with traditional elements and style. The refreshing bold green on the walls was so inviting, the mix of dark and light wood finishes along with the pretty soft shapes of the sofa and chairs was a reminder to never count out traditional style. Don’t forget to look up, the vintage chandelier was incorporated into this space again to remind us it is all about the mix for the best of design. Mixing moody and bright is a vibe that I could easily welcome into my home. In fact it is how I feel from day to day. Moody one minute and bright the next. I think Universal did a great job with this vignette, I really liked the fun swivel chairs mixed with a practical sofa, the textured credenza and of course that pink leather is where it is at for me. I thought the black chandelier was a nice pop to the space.
The people:
It is always about connecting with my peers, my idols, and my friends in the industry when I attend these shows. We lift one another up, gripe about the bad days, and encourage each other to be better people and better at our work which is our passion. I wish I could remember to get photos with everyone that I run into but honestly, you just get to talking and then either they are off to the next thing or you are. I hope you get the sense that designers really are not all catty. Most of us are pretty fun and we thrive among our tribe.
Joy Maier of The Aspiring Home in Dallas, Texas and Robin Burrill of Signature Homes also in Dallas, TX were my people this market, we traveled the buildings together, had dinner each night along with others, and shared our bandaids and tons of laughs. I am a member of IDS National as are these other fabulous designers, Autumn Dawn of Autumn Dawn Design of Dublin Ohio on the left, and Nicole Culler of House of Culler in High Point, North Carolina next to Autumn. Then there is Joy Maier, Robin Burrill and myself who can’t possibly look straight at the camera. Patrick of AM2PM Images of Houston, TX. Patrick has taken all of my headshots this year and has been making the rounds with our girl gang this year to different events. He is the sweetest soul and makes you feel at ease in front of the camera. There were so many of us at this table for dinner that night. Some I had not met before and others that I still don’t recall their names (what can I say, I blame it on the hormones). This beautiful friend is Nikki Watson who is an HGTV star and designer extraordinaire. She also is one hell of an amazing stager. She is based in Dallas, TX also and she is such a delight to be around. Jessica Duce, my friend and master designer of Vacation Rentals who is also the brain behind the Vacation Rental Design Summit and Stephanie Adams of Unique loom. You can’t help but laugh when you are with these two. Capturing a somewhat serious photo of the two is a challenge but I love this one. Stephanie is probaly the funniest person I know. Jenna Gaidusek of Charleston, SC is shown here teaching us all about AI and how to use it in our business but she is a sweetheart to be around. I just want a day in her brain. Always love catching up with her. Joy and I here with Niles Johnson and Laurie Laizure of the Interior Design CommunityNile Johnson who is a legend in our Industry and one of my designer idols from Baltimore, MD and is principal designer of Nile Johnson Interior Design. Here with members of IDS National staff The owners of Sourcc Sara Harrison of Sara Harrison Interiors in Rochester, NY in the orange skirt, came up to me in this party and asked if I was Alisa Berry? I never know how to answer that because of Friday Funnies but she was a fan.
The beautiful Wendy Woloshscuk of MA and owner of Details Full Service Interiors
I had the pleasure of meeting Alisa Barry which was fun because how often do you find someone with almost your exact same name in the same industry. The spectacular Caroline Hipple of Hooker Furniture. Caroline is a true leader in our industry and not jsut of women but of the whole industry. Of course I was not leaving without a photo of the man the legend, Kelly O’Neal of Design Legacy.
Spring High Point Market was a huge success on so many levels. I was able to network with industry leaders, friends, and peers to learn from them while sourcing product for projects, scouting trends or what turned out to be “not trends”. I also went for the Vacation Rental Design Summit again which was a ton of awesome learning opportunities for me. Until next time, High Point.
A few years ago, I was a designer just designing for whoever came along and there was no joy in it for me. But, I wanted more meaningful and so did my clients. Now, I help women learn to be bold in their lives by transforming their homes from boring and bland to the unique and gorgeous home that serves their dreams.
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