High Point Market Recap

What a whirlwind four days we had at High Point Furniture and Design Market April 15-18th! Bethany and I drove 5 hours then hit the floor running day and night.  It is something we look forward to all year long.  The cocktail parties, the showrooms, the people and the products are all amazing.  There is absolutely no way one can see it all.  It definitely is stimulation overload. The experiences we had were highlighted with:

networking with our design friends and industry peers,

the latest in product introductions

 and dazzling showrooms!

Kerry Steele's art at CR Laine

Kelly Wearstler for EJ Victor

Studio A

Vanguard Furniture

Universal

  It was exhausting and wonderful.  I loved meeting some of you that I've only known online.  The sharing of this community of creative designers, makers and entrepreneurs is so rewarding.  We listened to a seminar on maverick marketing techniques by Polly LaBarre, of Fast Company,  that struck a cord about how we need to market ourselves today.

Our takeaway included:

Inquiry beats certainty
Invite someone out of your normal circles for coffee to share ideas
See things differently- ask more questions
What would your fiercest critics say?
'Walk in stupid' as if you're starting over every day.
have "fresh eyes" (love this)

As designers we work in our own businesses independently of other peers most of the time, and it's so refreshing to hear the stories of those who are experts in the field! 

       Look for our next post about what's hot at market and the trends we are seeing!
                                               Happy Spring decorating!