High Point and the price of a seat
Hello all. I just came back from a week at the High Point Market in High Point, NC. It was a work thing. Me and two other ladies from various mags went to peruse the countless thousands and thousands of pieces of high end furniture. To think my tush has sat upon a $20,000 couch is just mind boggling and I wasn't even allowed to photograph myself sitting there. Moreso that someone would pay that much to have such a couch. Ah, but the rich are a fickle lot (so I've learned this week).
Just a bit of history - the first "Market," as they call it, began in 1909 in High Point. I never realized how much furniture is made in this area - 60% of furniture made in the US is made on the East coast - 35% in NC and 25% in VA. Now, over 2,700 manufacturers showcase their furniture and household accessories twice a year in High Point in over 10 million square feet in space. As they say in the press kit, it's enough furniture to fill the Chicago Sears Tower twice. I think it's one of the few things still manufactured in America. If you're curious to learn more check out their site: High Point Market.
It was quite an adventure being as I'm more used to down and dirty music conferences I love attending. High Point Market features mostly designers and interior decorators, buyers from high end department stores and furniture shops, magazine editors and account execs pouring through showcase after showcase looking for the next hottest thing. I can tell you what trends you'll be seeing trickling down from the top this season - dark colors - chocolate browns, roses and rusts - but also periwinkle and sky blues mixed with lime greens, geometric shapes, clean, classic lines and curved back couches. Even the Disney Company is getting in on the furniture game with their Hollywood studio inspired line, which I actually kinda liked. Also, lots of mixed-used fabrics - velvet with leather - recycled elements and shells...
Still... I yearned for and found myself looking for the busker on the street corner bashing out a raucous tune with a hat filling with change or hawkers on the street yelling about their upcoming shows at nearby clubs. Ah well. Maybe next year I can talk my boss into sending me to SXSW for the interactive festival. He keeps telling me there's a budget for travel...
I did enjoy it, though, this furniture frenzy. I'm debating on whether or not to wash my butt - it will probably never have the opportunity to sit on an original Ralph Lauren settee in purple velvet again...
Just a bit of history - the first "Market," as they call it, began in 1909 in High Point. I never realized how much furniture is made in this area - 60% of furniture made in the US is made on the East coast - 35% in NC and 25% in VA. Now, over 2,700 manufacturers showcase their furniture and household accessories twice a year in High Point in over 10 million square feet in space. As they say in the press kit, it's enough furniture to fill the Chicago Sears Tower twice. I think it's one of the few things still manufactured in America. If you're curious to learn more check out their site: High Point Market.
It was quite an adventure being as I'm more used to down and dirty music conferences I love attending. High Point Market features mostly designers and interior decorators, buyers from high end department stores and furniture shops, magazine editors and account execs pouring through showcase after showcase looking for the next hottest thing. I can tell you what trends you'll be seeing trickling down from the top this season - dark colors - chocolate browns, roses and rusts - but also periwinkle and sky blues mixed with lime greens, geometric shapes, clean, classic lines and curved back couches. Even the Disney Company is getting in on the furniture game with their Hollywood studio inspired line, which I actually kinda liked. Also, lots of mixed-used fabrics - velvet with leather - recycled elements and shells...
Still... I yearned for and found myself looking for the busker on the street corner bashing out a raucous tune with a hat filling with change or hawkers on the street yelling about their upcoming shows at nearby clubs. Ah well. Maybe next year I can talk my boss into sending me to SXSW for the interactive festival. He keeps telling me there's a budget for travel...
I did enjoy it, though, this furniture frenzy. I'm debating on whether or not to wash my butt - it will probably never have the opportunity to sit on an original Ralph Lauren settee in purple velvet again...