18 October, 2017

High Point Market Inspiration-According to LiLu

Ally and I just spent four days at High Point Market. We spent 14 hours a day at market and walked for miles each day. Why would we put ourselves through this you ask? We do it be be the better interior designers! The top three things we took back from High Point with us were knowledge, new sources and fresh inspiration.

Education

In our industry, if you are a member of ASID or a licensed interior designer you are required to attend continuing education courses. Our work is ever changing, from trends to technology there is always something new to learn. High Point market is a great place to learn from the top professionals in our industry about business practices and technology they are using to make their offices and studios run more smoothly. In addition, manufacturers offer CEUS  about everything from  the newest technologies that will be impacting the built environment to color trend seminars. Ally and I packed in as many of these learning opportunities as we could.
High Point Market Education

Research

We are spoiled in the Minneapolis market with a wonderful design center (International Market Square) and with wonderful sales representatives that make sure we know all about the latest and greatest furnishings and materials we can use to design fabulous homes for our clients. And market offers a unique opportunity to sit in many pieces of furniture to ensure they are comfortable. We get to ask questions about manufacturing processes and materials.
We also get a deep understanding of the quality offered by manufacturers in construction and finish. We know how to specify the best quality casegoods and upholstery after visiting each showroom at market. Manufacturers can sometimes change fill in a cushion or change finishing processes. We like to know this before a piece of their furniture ends up in our clients homes.
We also find new resources. This year Ally was impressed with Roberta Schilling, who she only had a passing familiarity with prior to market and I found a fun new lines in Maggie Cruz and Handley Drive.
High Point Market Research

Inspiration

High Point is an amazing display of vignettes that are often put together by interior design superstars such as, Tom Fillicia, Alexa Hampton, Mark Dikes, and Jamie Drake and the list goes on and on! While we wouldn't put together a whole room of Michael Berman, Christopher Guy or Alexa Hampton furniture it's fun to see the haute couture fantasy that is High Point market. We return to our studio with new ideas for details, finishes and approaches because of the amazing inspiration at market.

High Point Market Inspiration