Touring HPMKT, as a veteran of the Art & Design industries, I’m highlighting the convergence of Art in Design. Why do I head to High Point Market for the best in Design, Home Furnishings and Art? THIS is what it's all about. Inspired by Designers, Art & Home Furnishing industry leaders, I sought out art-centric market events with the likes of Galerie, Interiors and Designers Today.

Presenting Volume 01 of my Artful review of this exciting design market!

The High Point Market, held in High Point, North Carolina, is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, with over 10 million square feet by roughly 2000 exhibitors throughout about 180 buildings.

Art In Design is very much a thing. In fact, Fine Art is driving design. We see art expanding into artful print, painterly textures and graphic prints from textiles to home furnishings, wall papers and artful rugs. Art is the Statement, the breath of space within Interiors. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Recently, I enjoyed Interiors Editor-in-Chief Erika Heet moderating a HPMKT panel with the hilarious Carson Kressley of Bravo TV celebrating Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Home Past, Present & Future - 30 Years in Design.

INTERIORS Sept-Oct market issue features Marc Thee of Marc-Michaels at home in Orlando; a San Francisco view home by ODADA; a modern Manhattan Zen apartment by Joan Dineen; and a hip, light-filled Dallas project by the unstoppable Chad Dorsey. We showcase female European designers shaking up the industry, from Roxane Lahidji to India Mahdavi; Q&As on new designs with Carson Kressley, Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams, Joshua Rose and Rafael Kalichstein of FORM Design Studio, and James Magni. Plus, nature and architecture at the Cooper Hewitt; New York artist Paul Gerben on the urban landscape; new and iconic furniture from Graye, Bernhardt, Marcello Pozzi, Croft House, Blainey North and many more! - Interiors

As Interiors magazine Editor in Chief Erika Heet and Carson Kressley celebrated design innovators Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in their High Point showroom, Carson was hilarious keeping all delighted and highly entertained. After enjoying Carson work the room at the Design Influencers conference in Atlanta earlier this year, I knew this would be a memorable night!

MGBW are the Masters of Modern design but they’re also true champions for philanthropy, sustainability, kindness, generosity and the golden rule. They are exceptionally committed to building a healthy culture for their people, leading by example in the home furnishings industry and making such a difference with their advocacy work within the LGBTQ community including at-risk youth.

For more behind the scenes with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, check out their feature Interiors article on 30 Years in Design.

I was honored to work with their team on creative product development for past wall art items. Mitchell Gold also welcomed our designer group at the Designer Experience in Asheville, NC earlier this fall so it was good to reconnect. Preview the latest MGBW wall art introductions, a distinctive collection of mirrors, wall art and wall sculptures for modern and traditional decors. As Art in Design is so key to Interiors, the event sponsor, I enjoyed their response to my inquiry about the importance of Art in Design! I found that Bob Williams is a huge collector of Outsider Art, really helping to build awareness for this genre! More below…

Just chilling.. with @carsonkressley Such a fun night! Carson and I also reminisced as we were just back from the famous Round Top Antique Market which is quite literally an international treasure trove for the Designer set. We have an affinity and passion for hunting antiques! Of course, he was quite debonair with his equestrian inspired hat! For those who didn’t realize, Carson is an accomplished horseman. Check out his Interiors feature article: Carson Kressley Free Rein

As Art In Design is very much a focus for Interiors @interiors_magazine , I asked MGBW for their perspective in designing with Art. Loved learning that Bob Williams is in fact an avid collector of Outsider Art and both Mitchell + Bob have designed wall groupings to display their art collections in their own homes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What is Outsider Art? The Tate Museum in London notes: "Outsider art is used to describe art that has a naïve quality, often produced by people who have not trained as artists or worked within the conventional structures of art production." Essentially, artists extend their creative expression in passionate forms of storied Art.