Since High Point Market is only open to the furniture and design trade, I felt like I was getting a back stage pass to the industry. As a relative novice to the market I found some new favorite brands that are not exactly new kids on the block. Each of my favorite discoveries has been around for years and, as it turns out, they're all carried by stores I already shop.
Copeland Furniture
Copeland started out in 1970 making cider presses for home and small-scale orchard use. Over the years the Vermont-based company evolved, from butcher-block kitchen furniture to today's more modern designs. In addition to their Scandinavian-influenced designs, Copeland also holds the exclusive license to build the furniture designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. You can find Copeland Furniture at Design Within Reach.
Bontempi Casa
Bontempi has been around since 1963, when the company was founded by Alessandro and Giancarlo Bontempi. Their designs are often colorful and always modern. In other words - perfectly Italian. It was love at first sight when I rounded a corner and saw their chaise/ottoman sectional. You can find Bontempi Casa furnishings at AllModern and inmod.
Four Hands
Started by Brett Hatton in 1996, much of Four Hands' warm industrial furniture is made from reclaimed materials. Their showroom was a sight to behold, with black walls and ceiling that seemed to recede into nothingness. That provided a perfect backdrop for the weathered wood and masculine features of the furniture. Look for Four Hands furniture at retailers like Crate & Barrel, West Elm and Pottery Barn. Or, if you're in Austin, shop the Four Hands Outlet at 2020 West Anderson Lane.
Maria Yee
When I first arrived at Maria Yee's showroom she was finishing up a tour so I took some time to explore the space on my own. I was immediately drawn to a few of Maria's eco-luxury pieces, like the hairpin leg media console. When Maria was able to join me, she filled me in on her brand - how she works with bamboo, an extremely sustainable material because it can be grown, harvested and regrown in short time frames. Many of Maria's designs have definite Asian influences – like the meditation chair she's modeling above – that are mixed with a Danish modern sensibility. You can find select Maria Yee pieces at Crate & Barrel, Gump's and Room & Board .
(Images: Jason Loper)
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As someone who has worked in this industry for a while, I can give you a few pointers.
Lots of these showrooms have typical business hours, but are only open to buyers/designers. You could register a business name, get a tax id number, blah blah blah...OR make friends with a local business owner and get on their list.
There are two big show seasons: January and June/July. Don't waste your time going to market during these months as the showrooms are either being set up or are busy as all get out (ideally) during market. Instead, go a month beforehand, when they are clearing out samples and selling them for cheap. How cheap? Often you can bargain down to half of wholesale.
Check the market schedules. Some markets may not have typical business hours, but participate in a 'First Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday etc.' instead. So the showrooms are open on the first Monday, Tuesday, etc. of the month.