Highlights from Highpoint, NC Buyers Market Spring 09 Part 1

International Home Furnishings Center

I have just returned from Highpoint, NC for the semi-annual buyers market for the home furnishings industry. For those of you who don’t know what Highpoint Market is, I have provided some pictures and will explain. There are many industry shows for the home furnishings and design trade throughout the year, but High Point is considered the pinnacle show. Over 2000 exhibitors in over 12 million square feet of showroom space showcase their products from around the world. It is one of my favorite responsibilities as a designer and I have attended both the spring and fall shows the past 4 years. I usually travel with some of my fellow designers from Northern Va and this year was no exception. In fact, my friend Paula Grace and I realized this was our 6^th show together.

Buyer Necessities – Badge and Showroom Listings

Showplace & Fellow Designers Karen & Paula

Bus Shuttles to our Hotels

There is always so much to cover, so this will be the first installment of a few articles on discoveries from this spring. When I see several showrooms repeating a similar concept, I take note. This show was interesting because of the state of our economy–a little quieter. I hate to call repetition “trends”, because I believe that interiors can be timeless–yet updated and current. So I’m going to call them updates. Today, I’ll be covering colors:

Spring 09 Color Updates No 1

I definitely saw some repetition in the color stories in the showrooms. One of the first was Black with Kelly/Leaf Green. Interestingly enough, I just finished a gentleman’s contemporary study in Black and Palm Green. So recently, that it hasn’t been photographed yet. I saw this color combo at market in fabrics, furniture and accessories. Do you like it?

Picture 1