Community Over Competition: Designing Without Fear
On Saturday, October 25 at 4 p.m. EST, Nicole Roe of R. Nickson Interiors will join Antonio DeLoatch of Antonio DeLoatch Designs and Rainey Richardson of Rainey Richardson Interiors** for a panel discussion at Universal Furniture during High Point Market. The session, titled Community Over Competition: Designing Without Fear, invites designers to connect openly, share their experiences, and explore how collaboration can strengthen creativity.
This conversation will center on finding your people in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating. Together, Antonio, Nicole, and Rainey will discuss how to stay connected after Market, navigate doubt, and build genuine community in design. Attendees will walk away reminded that true connection makes every bold idea possible.
About the Panelists
Nicole Roe is the founder and principal designer of R. Nickson Interiors, a Lakeland-based design firm known for crafting spaces that balance refinement with real life. Nicole approaches design as both art and problem-solving, creating homes that reflect her clients’ personalities while maintaining functionality and timeless style. Her voice on this panel represents designers who are building with purpose, scaling with integrity, and proving that bold ideas can thrive anywhere.
Antonio DeLoatch, founder of Antonio DeLoatch Designs, is recognized for his distinctive aesthetic and his transparency about the business of design. His firm’s portfolio spans New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Antonio often speaks about honesty, collaboration, and maintaining healthy professional boundaries in creative work.
Rainey Richardson brings over two decades of experience to the discussion as the owner of Rainey Richardson Interiors in Houston. Her work emphasizes livable luxury, creating homes that are beautiful, comfortable, and deeply personal. As an established designer and mentor, she often shares her insight on authenticity and the importance of mentorship in building a lasting career.
Why This Conversation Matters
The idea of community over competition is more than a feel-good phrase. It is a reminder that design is at its best when we share knowledge, ideas, and encouragement instead of working in isolation. For Nicole, that belief is at the heart of how she leads her firm and collaborates with others. Her work and her leadership reflect the idea that when designers support one another, everyone’s work becomes stronger and more meaningful.
This panel is an invitation to design fearlessly, to find strength in collaboration, and to remember that the most powerful creative communities are built on connection and trust.
Event Details
Community Over Competition: Designing Without Fear
Saturday, October 25 | 4 p.m. EST
Universal Furniture | High Point Market
Panelists: Antonio DeLoatch, Nicole Roe, Rainey Richardson
