news from High Point...

I learned two extremely important things today at the furniture market. Number one, never never never buy brand new shoes for the show. And, I've now learned this for the 50TH TIME! The second is, I'm a terrible photographer...especial when I'm on a mission to see everything I possibly can.

I did manage to take a lot of photos, and I saw some truly amazing things the first day! It's really going to take me some time to organize it all, and be able to post it all properly. So for now, here's a sneak peak...

I was shopping some fabrics for a manufacturing client of mine today, and I ran into Art Barber, the owner of Charleston Forge. Art and Susan Barber's talent is matched only by their passion and integrity. Truly wonderful people. They own a real steel forging factory in beautiful Boone, NC. We're talking real craftsmen hammering on anvils. I've seen it with my own eyes. Awesome!
Art told me I wouldn't believe his showroom, and that dude was not kidding! They have been long known and admired for their rustic hammered tables, and hand forged bakers racks. I walked in the showroom and I was blown away! This "aint" your mamma's bakers rack...

I will post better pics and much more about them soon. They're stuff is totally hip!

Later I went to the coolest showroom I've ever seen in High Point! Seriously! The company is Aribesque. It's owned by Tracy Krohn. Words and these photos cannot truly show the totally amazing showroom and collection she has created. Check...this...out...




She does upholstery, tables, barstools, art, accessories, fabrics, bedding, and more. And it's all amazing! I'll try to get better pics, and I will post more about her and her amazing company soon.

Ok, one more and I have to call it a night. I started at 5:30 this morning and it's now after midnight.

This next company blew my mind!...Haute House They're located in Los Angeles, and these totally awesome pieces are designed by a guy named Casey Fisher. You gotta see this!...

This stuff is SO on the edge! I love it! I'll definitely be posting more on this...

There's was a lot more...it was a long day. My new pieces at Metro Home Furnishings have done really well. I'm very excited about the results so far. I will let you know the details as things progress :-) By the way...the second container was spotted somewhere around Papua New Guinea, and it will arrive on Wednesday...after all the buyers are gone. Oh well, there's always tomorrow...for dreams to come true.

At the end of a long and wonderful day, I got to share dinner with two very special people. Tom Erdman, and Angelo Surmelis. We had a great dinner, and lot of fun together.

Dinner was lobster bisque, and a cheeseburger. Yes, you read that right...lobster bisque, and a cheeseburger. It was an awesome recommendation Tom! By the way, if you don't know who Tom is...check out his blog. Besides being a great person, he's also a gifted writer. And, he will write the most well written email explaining that he's not. Tom a top expert on product development, and the logistics of getting it to the market. Tom knows the furniture business!

Angelo Surmelis you all know, and if somehow you don't...welcome back to earth! Where have you been? Please tell us what you saw out there! He's so great, so cool, so genuine, and so much fun. He's also my favorite design dude in the world!

Goodnight all...can't wait to hit the ground running tomorrow...much more to come, so please stay tuned...