High Point Market Recap: Connection, Customization & A Whole Lot of Sit-Testing
Twice a year, the design world converges in North Carolina for High Point Market—and if you've ever been, you know it's equal parts inspiration, networking, and walking way more than your Apple Watch recommends. This spring, we made the most of every moment.
What Nicole Was Up To
Nicole had a packed schedule, including the honor of speaking on a panel at Eilersen, the renowned Danish furniture brand known for its craftsmanship and commitment to comfort (if you’ve ever sat on one of their sofas, you know). The conversation—moderated by Andrea Lillo, Executive Editor at Designers Today—centered around custom furniture and featured designer Lorna Gross and Anders Eilersen himself. Getting to talk shop with industry peers and shine a light on how customization elevates our work was a highlight of the week.
Nicole was also invited to an unforgettable dinner with Natuzzi, the sleek Italian furniture line we’ve loved for years. Hosted alongside one of her design besties, Antonio Deloatch, it was one of those nights that reminds you how close-knit and inspiring this industry really is.
Between panels and dinners, she toured some of her favorite lines, stopped in on emerging brands, and even ran into a few fellow podcasters (the design content world is small—and friendly).
Mari’s Vendor Deep Dive
Mari used this market to dive deep into her favorite vendors—reconnecting with long-time partners and discovering a few new ones along the way. Seeing product in person makes a world of difference, and she took full advantage of the time to test finishes, sit on every sofa possible, and ask all the right questions.
And yes, the famous “sit test” is very real. Photos only tell part of the story—at High Point, we get to experience every detail: comfort, construction, scale, and style.
Why Market Matters
High Point is about more than new collections. It's where we:
Meet face-to-face with our vendors (relationships matter!)
Discover what's trending—and what’s lasting
Talk with fellow designers who challenge and inspire us
Attend panels and talks with industry experts
Eat amazing food (because refueling is half the job)
And maybe most importantly—touch, test, and feel everything we specify for clients
Design is a tactile experience. There’s no substitute for seeing a finish up close or sitting on a chair before we spec it for a project. That’s why market is so essential to what we do.
Trends We’re Loving
We saw plenty of pretty, but a few themes stood out:
Moody colors are here in full force—think deep greens, rusts, and rich, dusky blues
Mixed wood tones were everywhere (goodbye matchy-matchy)
Found edges and organic forms—we’re loving the raw, sculptural vibe
Customization continues to be a major player, and we’re here for it
Already Counting Down to Fall
We left market feeling inspired, energized, and full of new ideas for our upcoming projects. There’s nothing quite like walking the halls of High Point and knowing you’re part of something bigger than just sourcing a sofa.
Until next time, HPMKT.
