A Few of My Favorite Things from High Point Market

Twice a Year High Point Market Calls to Designers

Those of us in the trade fondly refer to High Point simply as Market. It’s not just any trade event; it’s the (here in the United States) place where vendors unveil their most beautiful pieces and share a preview of what’s to come. Once in April and then again in October, designers travel to Market to see the finishes and styles, fabrics, textures, lighting, accessories, and kitchen and bath innovations all waiting to show off for the design community. Here are a few of my favorite things from High Point Market.

I head down to High Point Market twice a year to attend the country’s largest home furnishing show. This year’s show was all about design, joy, storytelling, and rediscovering why I became an interior designer. This year, High Point Market was all about design and how it brings joy and tells a story about the home. 

My Favorite Things from High Point Market

Interior Design

There’s a rhythm to how design moves through industries: just as fashion influences home design, kitchens, and baths are becoming a major influencer as well.  As these worlds blend more closely, the connections become stronger and more exciting, opening new possibilities for cutting-edge technology to give us the gift of tailored, personalized design.

Designing for Joy: Planned with a Purpose

I was honored to be part of ASID and ANDMORE’s panel on Designing with Joy and Purpose alongside industry greats Caroline Hipple, Tony Purvis, and Dawn Haynie. This is what interior design is meant to be.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. And when that heart is happy, the rest of the house follows. Joy leads to wellness. Wellness leads to a happier life. And that’s part of our responsibility as designers—to create spaces that support the lifestyle our clients want and deserve.

 

Color and Texture and My Favorite Things from High Point Market

Color and texture continue to mingle, with metals and wood used more purposefully than ever. We are looking back to our past for hints to our design future. So many lovely vintage and antique pieces have been reimagined to find a home in a design story. But it wasn’t just about the materials, it was about intention. Designing from the heart instead of for more likes and follows is gaining momentum. There are many opportunities to find that perfect item when shopping at Market.

 

 

 

 

Sustainability at the Antiques Design Center: Storytelling through design. 

One of my favorite stops was the Antique Design Center. It’s a perfect example of how we can reuse, renew, and repurpose. These pieces carry stories from the past—and when you bring them into your home, your story becomes part of theirs.

 

 

Learning through Listening: Storytelling from High Point Market

 Friday, I had the opportunity to listen to my friend Caleb Anderson. He spoke about his personal and professional transformation and how design must come from the heart. It’s not about filling a space with stuff. It’s about choosing pieces that you can live with and love. That’s how stories get told through design. The design of the home should be a storyteller weaving the fabric of the life you want to lead. Choosing materials and products that will bring to life the design vision with consideration to sourcing from makers close to home. What you choose and why is making a comeback. Filling spaces with “things” does not make a house a home.

 

 

Spaces That Feel You Back

I often say: It’s not just the way you feel when you’re in a space but it’s the way that space feels when you are in it. You’re not just stepping into a room; you’re bringing your story into it. And when that space feels like a sweet embrace, you know you’ve done it right.

That idea came to life for me when I visited my friend Caroline’s home. Every touch in her space is a reflection of her, what she values, and how she lives. Her family heirlooms were mixed with curated pieces feeling like you were receiving a hug. This is what design should be all about. Not just filling a room with things but creating a storyline that moves through the pieces you include in the design. 

Regional Trends and Real Conversations

I also joined a panel with the NKBA, alongside the fabulous Michel Smith-Boyd. We talked about regional design trends and how design differs in different parts of the country.

I’ve never been one to chase “trends,” but listening to Michel’s design philosophy was enlightening. He brings impeccable taste, a sharp business mind, and the kind of perspective that reminds you why we do what we do.

Touring with the Interior Design Community

I had the awesome pleasure of leading a tour of curated showrooms for designers from The Interior Design Community. Thank you Laurie for asking me to guide this tour. 

 

Technology + Sensory Experience = The New Design Language

While technology continues to influence how we design, it’s the sensory experience that connects all regions and styles. What does it feel like to touch that hardware? How does the lighting shift your mood?

The tactile experience and the emotional resonance are what bring it all together. And as technology advances, it’s helping us layer in even more meaning and accessibility. Smarter homes especially in the kitchen and bath allow designers to tailor the home to be a perfect fit. Just like a seamstress can work magic to make a piece fit just right, tailored design is the ultimate luxury.

 

Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, CKD

About Sharon:

Sharon founded Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She’s been practicing kitchen and bath design for over 20 years and is  Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers – New Jersey chapter, a professional member of ASID, a Certified Interior Designer in New Jersey, and a Certified Kitchen Designer.

She is a current member of the editorial board of KBB Magazine, the official magazine of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Sharon received the Kitchen Bath Design News 2022 Innovator of the Year Award. Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Design Milk, Furniture Lighting and Decor, Designers Today, Bergen NJ magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, as well as several books. She has authored the Interior Designers Guide to Kitchen and Bath Business Success, available through the website. Sharon is a sought-after conference speaker and CEU provider. You can contact her through the website www.thymeandplacedesign.com.