Nov 26, 20245 min read

HPMKT: Disneyland for Designers

Updated: Dec 12, 2024

I recently returned from High Point Market (abbreviated HPMKT) in late October, and it was just as exciting and exhausting as I remember! Very much like Disneyland, but for Designers, HPMKT is the world's largest furniture market held in High Point, NC, and it is massive. With over 11,500,000 sq ft of showroom space, covering 18 blocks, and thousands of furnishing vendors and wholesalers setting up shop - if you attend, you will walk 'til you drop, but you will certainly enjoy the "show" along the way.

HPMKT is open exclusively to the trade, and so not only do we designers get introduced to the latest home furnishings styles, trends, and products at Market, but we connect with fellow designers and home furnishing professionals from around the world! It really is a ball - very much worth the sore feet!

Karen and Sandy at Market - Nashville Interior Design

I even got to connect with my "Virtual Assistant" Sandy Le! Sandy lives out-of-state, but through the services of MC Virtual Assistants, she handles many of the administrative duties for Home by Hattan! I communicate with her almost daily, so it was a real treat to meet her, and Melissa, the Founder of MCVA!

My Goals for Attending HPMKT

This year I set three goals for myself in attending Market.

Deep dive into upholstery - I really wanted to spend some time getting to know vendors and their products that offer seating and upholstered pieces.
How are their sofas and chairs made? How do they sit? What is the quality of each vendor? What fabrics do they offer? What seat cushion options do they offer? Barstools, headboards, ALL the things!
Basically, I did the "sit - test" and the research for you, so you do not have to! (After all, that is what you hire a designer for, right? The knowledge, the service, the vision, the expertise!)

Touching, Feeling, Learning, Sitting, Exploring Universal Furniture
Attend learning sessions and speaker events, in order to grow and develop my business.
Gail Doby, Entrepreneur Trainer and Coach
3. And of course, see all the pretties!
From the colorful:
Fun prints and colors at Design Gallery -- check out the George Washington fabric on the sofa!
To the subtle neutral:
Toned down neutrals

Anything goes this year!

Design Trends Spotted

What's new and what's hot in the design world you ask?

Personality, Character, and Customization.

"You do you" is what's in! If you like color, go for color! If you prefer soft neutrals, stay soft! Mix your metal finishes! Anything goes as long as it's done well and in balance.

If you're really into antiques, they're BACK! If you're really into sustainability, there is a big producer of furniture whose main purpose is eco-friendly, yet luxurious, furnishings. Wallpaper or natural elements, modern simplicity or ornate intricacy, sophistication or a touch of whimsy -- there really is something for everyone in the design arena right now!

The tricky part is pulling it all together in a beautiful, cohesive way -- which is why you need an experienced designer! (that's me, wink wink!)

Warm, Deep Colors

The main change I observed in design trends over recent years is the shift towards using warmer colors instead of the black and white or true gray palettes that have been popular for some time. Though black, white, and gray will always be classic colors, and they should continue to be used in your home, they are best used in small doses. (By the way, the same can be said for beige - I hope I don't ever see another house that is beige upon beige upon beige. ha!) So if you are selecting a new paint color or fabric this year, you may want to choose a cream instead of stark white, or a taupe, sand or wheat instead of gray, and the plums and cinnamon colors are coming in strong -- I'm even seeing a throwback to the year 2000 when chocolate brown and turquoise-y blue were the hot combo!

2025 Colors of the Year

RECLINERS!!!!

Seriously - you won't believe what's becoming mainstream in the furniture world: RECLINERS!! Yes, I said it, reclining furniture is hot even at HPMKT!! But wait, before you think I've lost my mind and want to put a massive over-stuffed recliner in everyone's formal sitting room, let me explain.

Today's recliners are ... well ... nice! Or some of them are. And they still belong in your LIVING room, where you relax and watch TV.

Many furniture companies are making what I call a "wall hugger" recliner - the chair can sit against your wall just like any chair can, and then when you recline, the chair actually moves you forward and out, and the back of the chair stays in place (thus your chair can "hug" the wall and not bang into it!!). And believe me when I say they are comfortable! So perfect for movie nights, sports-binging, reading, or napping! Who needs one?! #happyhome

The Highlight

The day I flew back home to Nashville, I took a side trip to Hickory, North Carolina, where I got to tour my favorite custom furniture builder, The Charles Stewart Company.

Charles himself met me at the door, along with my rep Cassidy, and other VIPs. They took me from building to building, where I got to see the furniture being made - one piece at a time, and to custom specifications. It was so inspiring and refreshing to see such care and quality being put into today's home furnishings. I saw the most beautiful pieces being put together, and I am excited to share their products with you - in fact, I am preparing to buy some of their furniture for my own home! Charles Stewart Company's customer service and quality pieces are a real gem in today's business world. (and oh-so-comfortable too!!!!)

That's a Wrap!

I hope you enjoyed my musings on my trip to Market this year. After a trip to Market, I always feel empowered and inspired to run my business in a way that helps you, my beloved clients, to ....