I ended my FIRST High Point Market on such a high participating in the High Point Market’s Spring 2022 Design Influencers Tour!
Alongside Heather Fujikawa, Rasheeda Gray, Don Ricardo Massenburg, Haneen Matt, Jennifer Maune, Marissa Nelums, Pamela O’Brien, Rebecca Plumb, and Rhoda Vickers Hendrix, we toured High Point Market in April meeting so many incredible humans and viewing incredible showrooms that surpassed all our expectations!
In my last blog post recapping our time, here are the sponsors that graciously hosted us on Day 2 of our tour:
Minted
We spent the first half of the day at Interhall, first meeting our friends at Minted! Since 2007, Minted’s mission has been to uncover the world’s best creative talent. They’ve created a marketplace to discover, advocate for and purchase exceptional work inclusive of artists, illustrators, painters and designers from all over the world. Their small but mighty showroom made a big impact on our tour group as we learned more about Minted’s community of independent artists and designers are located in all 50 states and over 100 countries, and recent ventures beyond art in furniture, decor, pillows and fabric. As an influencer, I’ve partnered with Minted before and can’t wait to do so again!
Dôme Deco
Next up, we traveled to the third floor of InterHall to visit Sangeeta Gupta at Dôme Deco. Dôme Deco offers furnishings that reflect a cosmopolitan lifestyle through culture, craftsmanship and sustainability. Dôme Deco aims to inspire and create memorable experiences through their collection of beautiful furniture, accessories, lighting and home textiles. Really loved seeing all the blacks, neutrals and rust and terracotta tones - so in right now!
Bungalow5
Last in the InterHall, we stopped by the beautiful showroom of Bungalow 5! Bungalow5’s philosophy is that they are inspired by history, made for today, always reaching for the future. They have a passion for bringing a modern perspective to classic luxury, and I must say, they do that very well! Hannah Bulvin took us through their two sided showroom viewing all the incredible brass, burl wood and colorful furnishings, pillows, lamps and decor! Everywhere I turned, my jaw dropped. I am SO in love with Bungalow5!
Universal Furniture
After leaving InterHall, we ventured back to S. Hamilton St. to Universal’s showroom. I viewed Universal’s massive, multi-floor showroom days prior on the High Point Market’s Insider’s Tour with Laura Thurman, but there was so much to see, I was super excited to return! Universal’s mantra: Modern Function. Practical Luxury. Upscale Design. They believe in creating whole home furnishings for how you live today. There was an endless amount of inspiration on each floor from the lighting, bedrooms, living spaces, and traditional, coastal, and modern collections. We also got to view their newest Miranda Kerr Home collection and latest collab with award winning interior designer and Style Row Founder and CEO, Erinn Valencich.
Kalco Lighting
By now, we were a bit tired and hungry, so luckily our next tour stop was hosting us for lunch! Kalco Lighting. Kelly Maughan and the Allegri and Kalco teams shared their 34 year history of being a leader in the lighting industry founded on design, service and quality. We also got to meet the talented designer, Vanessa DeLeon who recently collaborated with Kalco on the Illumine collection. The collection includes “glamilistic” pendants, sconces and chandeliers rooted in cultural composition of her Cuban roots. We thoroughly enjoyed this stop on the tour and learning about Kalco’s dedication to the art and design of lighting!
Stickley Furniture
Next, we took our shuttle bus to N. Elm St. to the Stickley Furniture showroom! I’ve heard of Stickley since my childhood and their reputation of building quality wood furniture that lasts generations. Stickley values building each piece with honor, integrity and pride, and being known to produce America’s best premium hardwood furniture and fine upholstery since 1900. The best part of touring Stickley’s showroom was learning how their rich history is still intertwined in their more modern furnishings. No shortcuts are made and their commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives was incredibly impressive. Ever Green. Ever Stickley. They absolutely mean that!
Cisco Home
For our last stop on the Design Influencers Tour, we rejoined our friends of Crypton Fabric at Cisco Home! Cisco has been showing at High Point Market for 30 years. About 20 years ago, Cisco acquired the Mill, an abandoned cotton mill that opened in 1914 and employed many of the people in the community. They repurposed the Mill as a real, experiential “home” to show Cisco’s latest designs and feed guests in their large open kitchen. Cisco Home handcrafts furniture in California and North Carolina, but also pioneers sustainable ecosystems within the community by working with skilled Makers who craft furniture pieces by hand.
I am eternally grateful to High Point Market Authority and the Esteem Media team for having me on this spring’s Design Influencers Tour! I learned so much from each vendor visited and built relationships that will last a lifetime with my fellow design influencers. To learn more about the tour, and all things High Point Market, check out highpointmarket.org!
Thanks so much and we’ll see you all in the fall! <3
Be Blessed,
ACG
#highpointmarket #hpmkt #designinfluencerstour
