Hey friends! So April was an absolute whirlwind! Attending High Point Market for the first time was one thing, but being a part of High Point Market’s Spring 2022 Design Influencers Tour was PHENOMENAL!
I participated in the event alongside some talented interior designers and influencers including Heather Fujikawa, Rasheeda Gray, Don Ricardo Massenburg, Haneen Matt, Jennifer Maune, Marissa Nelums, Pamela O’Brien, Rebecca Plumb, and Rhoda Vickers Hendrix. Little did we know, we’d be the best of friends after spending 48 hours together!
After a quick meet-n-greet and breakfast Sunday morning, our day included the following showrooms for our tour:
Theodore Alexander
First up, we visited the Theodore Alexander showroom to speak with their team and our friends of Crypton Fabric. Theodore Alexander is self-proclaimed as one of the finest luxury furniture brands in the world. Founded in 1996, they’ve become eminent in the industry for their innovative, handcrafted designs that last lifetimes. Sydney Wells walked us through the beautiful show room and several collections reflecting their unique brand and unmatched quality.
Hooker Furniture
Next up, we traveled to the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) to visit Kimberly Wray at Hooker Furniture. Headquartered in Martinsville, VA, Hooker Furnishings is ranked among the nation’s largest publically traded furniture sources and includes several brands under their umbrella including Hooker Furniture, Hooker Upholstery, Brandington-Young, Sam Moore Furniture, Shenandoah Furniture, H Contract, Accentrics Home, Pulaski Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Furniture, Prime Resource International and Hospitality and HMIdea. Hooker has such a rich history, but it was so exciting to see all of their latest introductions throughout their enormous showroom at High Point! Fun Fact: 35% of Hooker’s business is swivel chairs, and boy were each of them beautiful!
Hubbardton Forge
Next, we ventured to Hubbardton Forge. Unlike many lighting companies, Hubbardton Forge is one of the oldest and largest continuously-operating commercial forges where artisans handcraft each product to order, one at a time. Based in Castleton, VT, they are committed to quality in design, their processes and customer service. Known and respected best for their innovative and award-winning designs, Hubbardton Forge prides itself in creating an environment where designers, engineers, welders, forgers, finishers and artisans collaborate on their American-made products. Design Director, David Kitts and Jeanne-Marie Gand showed us their collection of incredible indoor and outdoor lighting, sconces, pendants, chandeliers and flush-mount beauties.
Jaipur Living
By this time, our group had worked up an appetite and we were ready for lunch. So we ventured to Showplace and stopped in at Jaipur Living! I am so in love with Jaipur Living’s rugs, so I was super excited to meet the team, learn more about them, and view their beautiful collection. Director of Strategic Partnerships, Sasha Wallace and the Jaipur team treated us to lunch and shared their company history, dedication to investing in women (who make up 85% of their weavers), and what’s to come for the sustainable brand. We also met the talented Kate Lester who introduced us to her new, gorgeous collab with Jaipur! With Jaipur’s headquarters and new showroom located just north of Atlanta in Acworth, I can’t wait to visit!
Fairfield Chair Company
We rejoined our friends at Crypton Fabric for our next two stops, the first being Fairfield Chair Company. The 101 year old company is known best for their masterful craftsmanship and focus on quality, comfort and fashion-forward design seen in the home, office and hospitality industries. We viewed their gorgeous seating, casegoods, upholstery and met the incredible Libby Langdon, one of Fairfield’s newest, fabulous partners. Her mantra: easy, elegant, everyday style! Fun Fact: 70% of Fairfield Chair’s business is Senior Living!
Wesley Hall
Next, we went a bit further down N. Hamilton St. with Elise Gabrielson of Crypton Fabric to Wesley Hall Furniture. Wesley Hall has been a driving force in the domestinc luxury upholstery market for over a quarter of a century. It was an honor meeting President, Zack Taylor and CEO Eddie Deal at the showroom to learn more about the four generations of the Deal family upholstery business and the company’s unwavering commitment to lasting comfort, impeccable quality, style and color, and unparalleled customer service. We also met the talented designer, Peter Jacob and enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour with him and the Wesley Hall and Crypton teams!
Eichholtz
For our last stop of the day, we visited the gorgeous Miami-style showroom of Eichholtz! Born in 1992, Eichholtz has grown into one of the world’s most well-known and reputable wholesalers of luxury design furniture, lighting and accessories including a rich palette of materials, finishes and subtly modern take on classic typologies. Eichholtz’s Alyssa Abrams walked us through the incredible multi-floor showroom to view their new collections in immersive vignettes showcasing the Eichholtz lifestyle. My favorite part? All the beautiful, showstopping lighting! So thankful for their hospitality, reception and keeping our champagne glasses full!
We ended the evening toasting to an incredible day at the Black Interior Designers Network social at Caracole Home and supported Don at the TOV Furniture event celebrating the new Voice Collection! Although my feet were tired, my heart was so full after such a fabulous day!
Stay tuned for Part Four as I share all the deets of our second day of the Design Influencers Tour!
Be Blessed,
ACG
#highpointmarket #hpmkt #designinfluencerstour
