A High Point Market Countdown ~ “Details in Design” #1
It’s just about a week before the world’s largest home furnishings’ industry trade show will be brought to the small, southern town of High Point, North Carolina. The official Spring Market opening date is April 17th, but many buyers make a point to arrive a day or two earlier, as there are some showrooms who provide sneak previews and special buy-ins.
The IHFC – International Home Furnishings Center – Building ~ This is where it mostly began.
Being located in the Charlotte, NC area, (just a couple of hours away), is an advantage which I never take for granted. I’m even able to scoot to the designer showrooms, which are open to the trade, in between markets.
During the week of market, the High Point population almost doubles, due to the over 80,000 visitors who make their way to the show. While not quite NYC, there is still a bit of an urban excitement and anticipation, as shuttles scoot you from building to building, and industry “high rollers”, make their way around the showroom floors. Some celebrities have been created, by the market, while other celebrities bring their existing fame, caché, and branding to a manufacturer’s line. Ever the people-watcher, it’s a fascinating time for me!
One thing is certain, I don’t think I’ve ever been to every single showroom, after over twenty-something years of market attendance! It’s almost impossible to fathom. The market has grown immensely, since I was a design student at East Carolina University and one of my professor’s created a senior field trip. Even in this blog post, I can’t begin to show you all of the different buildings. Major furniture manufacturers, such as Lexington, Drexel Heritage, and the like, have offsite campuses, too.
Just a few of the major buildings at the market:
Showplace
Transportation Central – Buses, Trolleys and Vans, Oh My!
Market Square and Suites at Market Square
C&D Building
200 Steele
Hamilton Square
200 North Hamilton
The spring market is typically a time for a lighter introduction of new designs and styles, as it mainly reinforces some of the trends, introduced in the fall market. Over the next few days, I’ll be working on my lists of showrooms to visit, and I’ll be doing some short posts, about “High Point - Details in Design”. Yes, even in with the vast amounts of showrooms and product lines, sometimes its a specific element, which will capture my attention.
Be sure to check back as I share my predictions of what we’ll see in the showrooms. After I return from market, it will be fun to see how close I came. Now it’s back to work! Lists, catalogs – oh, and shopping for comfy shoes!
Cheers to you! Wanda
