Follow Us to Market: Connecting with the Best of Design
So many lights, y’all. SO many lights!
Design Around the Globe
High Point Market is a major touchpoint in the design world, and one that informs what happens in design throughout the rest of the year and beyond. What started as a way to showcase hand-made local furnishings became the central event for companies and designers from all over the globe. We love Market for so many reasons- but the most important thing is that it is an important way that we can connect our clients to the best of the design world- the best quality, value, and craftsmanship that we can possibly provide to our clients comes through our relationship with vendors and artisans that we vet at market each year.
Here we’re strategically evaluating fabric pieces. We’re looking at texture, stitching, quality, stretch (this is important), weight, opacity, etc. Does it feel as good as it looks? Is it durable for purpose? We inspect every single textile straight from the source before it ever gets to your home.
Also, a shout out to Cat’s emotional support beverage above, which features in almost every photo (LOL). Market days are long!
Curating the Perfect Fit
Going to Market is one of the ways we align with our core values as a business. We treat every client’s home like we would treat our own, and we don’t recommend any product that we don’t believe to be the best quality and craftsmanship available in a client’s price point. Durability, comfort, aesthetics, longevity- we consider every angle, every time. For clients that have kids and fur-babies who play on the living room rug, those who love to enjoy move night as a family laying on the big sofa, who sit in that one perfect chair every morning with coffee, or those that love to host the extended family at their dining room table for Thanksgiving- we see you. These are details that matter so much to us, and inform how we furnish your home with so much thought and intention so we can make it a perfect fit for you. When we’re at Market, we’re constantly thinking about all of this and more while we search out the most ideal pieces for your unique home and family.
What you’re seeing is Cat and Rebecca scrutinizing the weave and pile on a custom rug. We are sourcing for a client with a much-loved cat who needs a rug with very important specifications- durable, beautiful, and will not encourage kitty scratches (if you know, you know!)
The Hunt for Quality
To scout, search, source, and quality test everything we possibly can for our clients while we’re there, we spend a lot of our time at Market in showrooms. Makers that span everything from furniture to rugs to fabrics to housewares have the opportunity to set up showrooms in the massive buildings that comprise downtown High Point, created just for this purpose. Many of these vendors and makers spend months (or the better part of a year) preparing for this moment- the time when they get to show their best, latest, and greatest to the world-wide design community.
Outdoor spaces are often important areas to our clients- for gathering, entertaining, and enjoying family and non-work time. The experience of an outdoor living area is really what it’s all about, and quality is paramount. We are assessing the stability of the base and judging how easily the umbrella could be put up and down by a client.
Visiting one of our much-loved vendors, Amy Flurry of Aloka Home. Their custom, hand-made, one of a kind quilts are a favorite of ours, and are something unique and special we love to include in projects, like this one.
Purpose Driven Design
Part of the value of having a professionally designed home is in these unique, specific pieces that not only fit perfectly, but fill the spaces in your home with the feeling of purpose and intention- a cohesive home where everything is meant to be there, and everything is in it’s right place (the most relaxing feeling to come home to, ever). Sometimes this requires that we work with craftspeople and artisans to create a completely custom piece (or pieces) made specifically for your home. A strong relationship with industry-only makers is what we nurture at market. It’s part of the pathway to creating elevated spaces- those rooms where you walk in and immediately feel a deep relaxation- a space that is polished, fully personalized, and not only functional, but beautiful. It’s intentionally and fully designed to be perfectly suited to the rhythm of your life.
Is it quiet if it moves?? Yes, this really is something important. Some clients do not want a chandelier that clinks every time the door opens or the air turns on, and we are thinking of this detail (and so many others) as we source. Aesthetics matter- but so does experience. We want you to enjoy your space to the fullest, and we take the time to learn exactly what that means for you.
Rugs are a foundational piece of great design. This particular market, we found an incredible one-of-a-kind custom rug that we knew was so perfect for a client’s living room (beautiful, elegant, and unique- just like her!). It will serve as the center-point of the design inspiration throughout the room.
Just the Beginning…
Market is a fast, action-packed whirlwind of searching, sourcing, and connecting. While we gather so much information and inspiration from this event, it’s only the beginning. Connecting with our clients, understanding their dreams, needs, and wants for their home on a deep level is is the true foundation of what we do. Making your home the happiest, most joyful, most favorite place for you is why we do what we do. And, the creativity, thoughtfulness, intention, and genuine care that we put into each and every client’s home design never stops. Market is an important time because gathering as much information and scouting/vetting as many vendors as we can makes us better at what we do. It allows us to not only be your guide, but a true resource in making your home everything that we dreamed it would be.
We’re so glad you came over to hang out with us on the CFD blog today. We love what we do, and we love sharing it with you. Curious about our process? Check out more about our full-home design here. Learn about our decades of design experience and how we make your home one-of-a-kind here.
Have questions about designing your own dream space? We’d love to help. Start here at our contact page. Or, feel free to just give us a holler anytime at hello@catfrenchdesign.com.
And, if you’d like to follow along for more in-the-moment happenings and goings-on of this bustling design team, you can also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest!
