Hello Fabulistas!
Can you believe that Autumn is already upon us and the holiday’s are just around the corner? For me, Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year. From the change of the seasons…to watching NYC’s fall leaves go from green to yellow to red…I simply LOVE this time of year!
The Exciting Jump Start for My Fall Tour
Just a few weeks ago was the jump start for my Fall Tour with the NYC grand reveal of Minka Group’s Robin Baron Lighting Collections . As the official NYC launch of my new lighting collection, Minka Group hosted a celebratory Open House event at their Metropolitan Lighting Showroom, during What’s New, What’s Next (WNWN) at New York Design Center – and we all had a fabulous time!
This time of year is also very special to interior and product designers like me – whose fall trips to design fairs and markets include reconnecting with the design community while finding new resources and touring my favorite showrooms.
#HPMKT aka “Furniture Capital of the World”
Just a few weeks ago, I headed to High Point, NC for an exciting five-day excursion to High Point Market where I shopped non-stop for my design clients and scoured the Antique & Design Center and other local vintage dealers for exquisite antiques, art and collectibles.
Before we get to the amazing products and highlight the hottest winter trends…I am ecstatic to share that High Point Market is finally BACK…in a big way! If the massive list of events (which started two days before market even began) and the amount of new showroom openings wasn’t the deciding factor of the market’s success…I could literally feel the excitement on the city streets. As fellow market-goers were smiling and enjoying the market, it seemed that an overwhelming number of designers, retailers and exhibitors alike finally felt comfortable traveling to shows again.
Also the amount of people I ran into while at the market was a breath of fresh air! For those who have never had the opportunity to attend High Point Market, this bi-annual show is much more than a typical “trade show”…it’s more than just shopping and sourcing for clients…it’s where the entire design community gathers, engages and reconnects.
High Point Market: More Than 135+ Years of Design Inspirational Markets
To give you a sense of the scale and why the eponymous city is known as the furniture capital of the world, High Point Market has been hosting markets for more than 135 years and consists of more than 150 individual buildings and hundreds of showrooms devoted to showcasing furniture, fabrics, lighting, decor, rugs, art and so much more.
It’s also where all levels of trade pros and design-related businesses converge twice a year for a variety of different business needs, all with a collective passion for design, sourcing and creativity. This “big little city”, as I like to think of it, also allows each of us the ability to be inspired by our favorite brands and to forge bonds with fellow attendees and the exhibiting companies as they debut their hard work, newest designs and the emerging trends that set each brand apart.
Celebrating Diversity in our Design Community!
I also want to share something that warms my heart. This market was the first show I can remember that was brimming with a diverse representation of design pros from all across the country.
Part of this diverse mix of attendees is thanks to a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiative with High Point Market Authority who produces the #HPMKT event. The DEI initiative also helped to launch the newly formed Diversity Advocacy Alliance (DAA), with a goal towards becoming a more welcoming environment for the BIPOC community and who will help the wider home furnishings industry focus on advancing, improving and supporting diversity. The announcement for this initiative and new alliance with High Point Market was shared during a panel discussion at Congdon Yards that included DAA Board Member Patti Carpenter and BIPOC interior designers Everick Brown, Ashley Ross, Victoria Sanchez and Rachel Moriarty.
Brand Collaborations & Lighting Industry Insights
Beyond the warmth we all felt from a more diverse and inclusive market, I was so happy to see many brands creating new collaborations and new licensed collections. I was lucky to get the chance to collaborate with DesignOn HPMKT by IMC along with Furniture, Lighting & Decor for a special lighting expert speaking engagement.
Our event was held at the Suites at Market Square, Seminar Room, sponsored by Sherwin Williams, on Sunday, October 23, at 1:30pm. The panel discussion topic “Lighting Industry Insights” included me as a panelists alongside fellow lighting experts, John McClain, interior designer, business coach, speaker, author and CEO of John McClain Design; Charles Pavarini III, lighting expert and Founder-President of Pavarini Design Inc.; Megan Molten owner and lead designer of Megan Molten and Diane Falvey, Editor in Chief of Furniture, Lighting & Decor, as moderator.
Design Trends Recap From High Point Market!
And now, my Fabulistas, to share with you my biggest design takeaways and trends review from #HPMKT.
The biggest trend I continue to see is in the resurgence and return to vintage and antiques. For interiors and for my own luxury design clients, the process of sourcing these exquisite one-of-a-kind vintage pieces is one of the things that makes each project exciting and unique.
This year, arriving two days before the market just wasn’t enough time… since sadly all of the items I loved most were already sold! This hunt for vintage furniture, accessories, lighting and art is usually a seamless process, but this didn’t deter me from continuing to scour the Antique & Design Center and other vintage showrooms in town so that I can feather in unique finds into each design project I work on.
One of the other trends I saw throughout my tour was the amount of artisanal and handmade goods shown by various brands as well as smaller vendors at Suites at Market Square. From furniture to accessories, soft goods and even in lighting – the organic and exquisite craftsmanship of the artistically designed products was very prevalent at High Point Market. I love that artisans and handmade goods and their special attention to detail are being celebrated across all product categories. Also the mix of metals was a huge trend I found exciting at market, both the mix of metals in one visual design or room and also the mix of metals within one single piece. I found it so inspiring to see this design trend beautifully represented on products and furniture at market.
Lighting – The Crown Jewel of the Space
Some of the most exciting discoveries I found was that more of the showrooms and buildings were paying special attention to lighting, both for their visual design and within their product assortment. From smaller showrooms to the larger manufacturing brands, everyone seemed to pay extra attention to the ambiance they are creating and the role that lighting lends to designing the space.
For me, lighting has always been vitally important to the overall aesthetic for any interior design, and I feel that lighting is truly the jewelry of the room. This is one of the reasons I design beautiful lighting that can be the crown jewels of any interior.
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STAY tuned for EVEN more exciting news coming out soon! Starting with the upcoming celebration for my Ecommerce Store’s 2nd Anniversary! Site wide sale launches Thursday, December 1, 2022 with 20% off any purchase during the month of December. USE CODE: “ROBIN20” at checkout December 1-31, 2022.
Thank you, thank you my dear Fabulistas! I wish you a fabulous holiday season and may November and December bring you joyous moments with friends, family and those you hold dear!
Xoxo,
Robin
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Celebrity Interior Designer, Robin Baron shares her tips for living fabulously at home on her blog, Simplifying Fabulous! Her love of shopping and scouring the global design market for one-of-a-kind items makes her aesthetic highly personal. Through Simplifying Fabulous!, readers will get a peek into Robin’s world to enjoy her expert design tips and a curated selection of products to introduce into their own homes.