Every six months, I pack my suitcase and head to North Carolina for the largest furniture market in the United States.
For a few days, the entire town transforms into one giant furniture trade show. I wanted to share how I approach the market and what my agenda looks like during these intense but inspiring days of work.
- Visiting My Favorite Suppliers and Makers
I always start with my favorite suppliers and custom makers. These trade partners are pure gold, and I truly could not do my job without them.
I want to see my reps in person, talk about new introductions, and revisit some old — and sometimes forgotten — favorites. I touch every fabric, sit in every dining chair, and peek underneath every coffee table. I want to make sure the quality remains consistent and be the first to notice if any unfortunate “value engineering” is happening.
I test upholstered pieces for comfort, wooden chairs for proper back support, lighting for craftsmanship and material quality, and rugs for texture and pile density. I record videos with voice memos to remember exactly what I liked or disliked about each piece.
- Discovering New Lines and Fresh Design
I also spend time searching for new makers and interesting lines with fresh and unique designs. Every market, I discover something exciting that I can immediately incorporate into my projects.
I try to speak directly with the owner, lead designer, or engineer — who are often there in person — to learn where materials are sourced, how products are fabricated, what the company values are, and how they envision future growth. I want to make sure their philosophy aligns with my expectations for a long-term supplier relationship.
- Continuing My Education
Market is also an incredible educational opportunity. I use the time to deepen my knowledge in specific areas of design and production.
This season, I spent a significant amount of time learning about custom wood doors and flooring from a Canadian company capable of creating a seamless finish and sheen across both materials. I also explored outdoor lighting and learned about the technical differences between various integrated cabinetry lighting systems from Visual Comfort. Seeing each system demonstrated side by side by their lighting designers — and comparing the differences with my own eyes — was incredibly valuable.
- Sourcing for Current Projects
Before every trip, I create a detailed sourcing list for my current projects. By that point, I already know the design direction, dimensions, and overall vision, so I arrive prepared.
As I discover suitable pieces, I photograph and film them while gathering pricing and lead times on the spot. Once I return home, I continue refining the detailed design by incorporating many of these finds — some of which are so new they have not even made it onto vendors’ websites yet.
- Industry Connections and a Little Fun
Market is also one of the few times I get to reconnect with my designer friends from across the country. We catch up on business, life, and everything in between while continuing to build meaningful friendships.
I attend panels to hear new business ideas and industry stories, and I especially love supporting friends who are speaking. No one understands the experience of running a design business quite like another designer. There is something incredibly powerful about sharing similar challenges, ambitions, and visions for the future.
This is my High Point Market sprint, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.
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