Stacy’s Style: Highpoint Flashback

My world this month has been dominated by the lead up to High Point and the actual High Point Market in North Carolina itself.

The lead up was particularly exciting because as I was preparing to show my line Dunes and Duchess there. Gretchen Aubuchon (designer/pr.-publicist and Worcester resident), was stirring the social media pot, whipping designers into a frenzy over new launches at the show with video content, designer sketchpads and a who’s-who of people who would be giving talks at High Point. Check out her company’s Facebook page Fashion + Décor for the entire timeline.

I got to attend one of those talks that included the incredible Kelly Cutrone, Kate Spade Home designer Deborah Camplin, designer and Better Homes & Gardens style editor Eddie Ross, and Barclay Butera as they talked about the connection between fashion, home and brand. Of course I can’t find the photo now…

But the point of being at High Point is to kick the tires so to speak of what’s new. I met Celerie Kemble in the Lane Venture showrrom to see her new line of outdoor furniture and I can tell you it turns the teak/iron/white-painted snoozefest that’s been going on for years on its head. Bubbly, colorful, exuberant, and elegant—I don’t know if they can make it fast enough to be on everyone’s porch come spring, but the colors and shapes are a welcome sight.

Alexa Hampton also debuted a new line for Hickory Chair, which I never made it to see, but stalked on Instagram as everyone was posting about it. She’s single-handedly made red hot again (not that Alessandra or Miles Redd ever let it go out of style).

Photo via Dovecoat Decor – Read the full blog post here.

I can’t help but mention the Connecticut-based brand Oomph that continues to create beautiful furnishings and has a cute-as-a-button showroom. How fantastic to see what we consider a local brand take the national stage with their great designs.

Photo courtesy of Oomph

Soapbox time: During the show I was interviewed by designer Corey Damen Jenkins along with Kansas City-based designer Kurt Knapstein. I will paraphrase what I had to say to him when he asked me why I thought High Point was important for designers to attend. I basically said, anyone can be an armchair quarterback, but if you’re serious about your profession, committed to your work and clients, then you can’t be an armchair designer waiting to see what other designers post online so that you’ll know what’s going on in the design world. Get off your seat and head to High Point in April to come away with your own ideas.

Stacy Kunstel is New England Home’s homes editor.