Vendor Spotlight -- High Point Furniture Market

Why do I love the High Point Furniture Market?

Nothing makes my heart go pitter patter like driving down I-85 South in the springtime, seeing the dogwood trees in first bloom along the highway and knowing that I will be spending the next several days at the famous High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina.

It is hard to believe that my first trip to Market was in 1984.  I was fresh out of college with a shiny new degree in Interior Design, ready to set the world on fire.  I fell in love with the pace, the excitement and the deep southern charm of the High Point Market.  I still love going to Market today--here is what I love about it!

The High Point Market is huge!  It is true to say that the town IS the furniture market.  It showcases more that 2,000 home furnishing industry exhibitors from all over the globe in over 11.5 million square feet of showroom space.  You can hardly imagine it.  There is a real hustle bustle about the place as people from all over the world rush to cover as much as possible in a short period of time.  Vendors come here to showcase their existing lines and to introduce new lines.  It is THE place to see what is new and hot. I love that!

Market is the place to see the absolutely latest trends in interior design.  We meet creative artists who are passionate about their work, bringing out new products, new concepts and combination of materials and colors you could hardly imagine.  Many are amazing and leave you wondering, "how do they possibly think of that?"  I love that.

Market helps us maintain our relationships and make new ones.  One of our primary goals at Market is to visit the showrooms of our existing lines, many of whom we have worked with for over 20 years.  Each line we work with we have hand-picked for quality and price.  We meet with our reps, see their new introductions, touch and feel, take photos and notes and we even give certain pieces a "gold star" if we think they are extra special.  All of this information is useful to our clients and it helps maintain good working relationships with our vendors.  I love that.

We also look for new lines.  Nothing is more exciting at Market than finding a few new, unique lines that are really compelling.  It excites us, brings you new options and helps SCL stay current.  I love that.

There is a LOT of new technology in our industry.  Market helps us keep abreast of the latest trends in the convergence of design and technology in the home, as this area changes perhaps more rapidly than any other area of design.  I love that.

We get to shop for you.  Whether it is the newest lighting, art or accessories, we bring the freshest back to SCL in Reston.  Beyond that, if you are looking for that very unique piece of furniture, piece of artwork or accessory--then we are too--as we have a client list and shop specifically for you at Market.  I LOVE that most of all!


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Should I Hire an Interior Designer for My Project?

People often ask me, "Should I hire a designer for my project and if so, why?"

Most people are intimidated by the thought of hiring a designer and are really hoping to find reasons not to hire one.  However, depending on the scale of the project, it is often advantageous to seek professional help.

The first step in hiring a designer is to understand the different types of designers and how they work.  There are basically two types of designers:

• The first type offers design consultation services only.  She will charge an hourly fee for her time and expertise but does not have a full studio and does not have access or accounts with major home furnishing companies  This type of designer is perfect for space planning, selecting paint colors, working with your existing furnishings or specifying materials for a renovation project.

• The second type offers consultation services plus has access to a wide range of goods and materials.  This designer is a "Dealer" and works in a full service firm with a design studio that showcases home furnishings, fabrics, lighting, accessories, etc.  The advantage to hire a "full service" designer is the convenience of having everything under one roof--a "one stop shop", if you will.  Most full service design firms work on an hourly rate and cost plus basis; this means the designer will charge for her time at an established hourly rate and all home furnishings purchased through her studio will be invoiced at her Dealer's cost (wholesale) plus a percentage.  This is very advantageous to the homeowner and keeps the guesswork out of pricing.

SCL Studio

Here are some reasons why to hire a designer for your project:

• Designers are talented and creative.  A good designer can offer interesting and refreshing perspectives to your project.  A design project is like a big jigsaw puzzle and each piece is key to creating a fabulous final image.  A good designer can "see" the final project in her mind and guide you to it.

Before

After

• Mistakes are expensive.  A good designer guides you in your taste--she does not dictate.  She will help you define your needs, style and vision for the project.  There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a project that you are doing on your own to realize you are not happy with the progression.  It is too late to turn back and your next phase is now in question.  Many clients have called me midway through a project and say they wish they had called sooner.  Our goal is to keep you from making costly mistakes.

• "Plan the work.  Work the plan".  This is my creed.  A designer will prepare a solid workable plan for your project that will include a scope of work, timeline, budget, inventory control and a team of subcontractors.  She will help you work the plan, stay on budget and avoid scope creep.

• Your time is valuable.  An experienced designer with a good studio can save you time and energy searching stores and websites for the perfect piece of furniture or fabulous accessory.  In addition, most designers have access to a wide variety of manufacturers, many that you might not have heard of.  A good designer knows her lines and passes on that knowledge to you.

• Resources!  Designers have a host of resources at their disposal.  A seasoned designer will have established relationships with a wide variety of experts in the trade.  She can recommend subcontractors and workrooms to you that are tried and true.  This adds tremendous value to your project.

• Your designer is your advocate.  A professional designer is often hired as part of a larger team.  This team can include architects, contractors, home builders and collection of subcontractors.  An accomplished designer is always a good team player, but at the end of the day, she works for you.  She will be your advocate and your voice.  She will facilitate decisions, mind the timeline and honor the budget--all without sacrificing your vision.  She will keep your goals in mind and share those in a thoughtful way with the team.

So, the next time you ask, "Should I hire a designer for my project?", consider the type of designer that best suits your needs and the advantages she will bring to the project.  Just think…it might the beginning of a very creative and meaningful partnership!


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The Devil in the Details…
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Vendor Spotlights:
Century Furniture…
Charleston Forge…
High Point Furniture Market -- Spring…
Lexington Furniture…
Eastern Accents...
Jaipur Rugs...