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Success by Design - Mastering the Business of Interior Design
Fall ‘24 High Point Market Trends with Diana Rushton
It’s Fall, which means one thing in our world—it’s Fall High Point Market time! Typically Di goes to market and comes back to share her tips for going to market and her rundown on what’s trending. But this time… Katie went to market! So it’s Di’s turn to be in the host’s chair!
We know you’re here for the tips, tricks, trends, and everything we learn at market. And this conversation won’t disappoint! Katie is sharing tips for planning the perfect long or short market itinerary, which surprising textures and—animals?!—are trending, and a sneak peek into the panel discussion she was a part of. You’re not gonna want to miss this week’s Coaching Corner either! Time to press play!
In this episode, we cover:
How long your trip to High Point Market should be
The interior design trends holding steady and new trends popping up
Which surprising textures and animals trending in interior design
The people Katie was able to meet and her panel experience at market
Vendors Katie was able to meet with and her favorite showrooms
If you’ve never been to market before, we hope this helps you create a winning itinerary for a successful experience! Were you at the Fall 2024 High Point Market? Do you think we missed any highlights or aha’s? We’d love to hear from you! Find us and share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn.
More about Diana Rushton
Diana specializes in project management and interior design. She likes that the partnership between project management and design work fulfills her lifelong love of art and puzzles. Diana feels she's found her true calling with 15 years of experience in brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, residential, and commercial design. She strives to create beautifully inspired work with each project while bringing transparency to the process. You'll probably find her sipping iced coffee or petting as many puppies as possible when she's not designing or managing projects.
Links and Mentioned Resources
Fall 2024 High Point Market Complimentary Color Match Book
Related Episodes
High Point vs Vegas Market Experience 2024
Color Forecasting w/ Nello Marelli
Connect with Diana Rushton
Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson
Book Your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!
Business Coaching for Interior Designers
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More about Success by Design: Mastering the business of interior design
As an interior designer, do you struggle with balancing your passion for creativity with the practical demands and hopes of running a successful business? Whether starting a new venture or scaling an existing firm, the complexities can be overwhelming. Welcome to “Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design,” a podcast designed to bridge the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship.
This masterclass is hosted by the dynamic Katie Decker-Erickson, a seasoned expert with nearly 20 years of experience in interior design, a Master's degree in Business Administration, and creator and owner of a multimillion-dollar interior design firm.
Each episode offers innovative and actionable business strategies, engaging conversations, and practical guidance to help you build and grow a successful design business. Tune in every other Friday on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms to ignite your creative spark and sharpen your entrepreneurial skills. (Topics and language are kid/family friendly.)
This post may contain affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you.
This episode of Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
The unedited podcast transcript for this episode of the Success by Design: Mastering the business of interior design follows:
Katie (00:01.058)
Hello everybody. I know that you guys all hang out for the tips, tricks, trends, everything that we learn at market every time we go. And this time is no different except for we are swapping it up, which is really, really fun because normally Di goes to market, right? And she gives us all of the trends and what's going on and what she's seen and what she's learned. And we had Di out on a project that had been postponed. And so she was actually in Ohio for this week. And so...
It was super fun. got called up to participate and head off to market, which was an absolute blast. And so we're going to swap up this episode. is going to take the reins and ask me the questions. Super fun. Yay, Di. Welcome to being the host of Success by Design. Congratulations to welcome to the host chair.
Di (00:41.329)
you
Di (00:45.959)
You
It's so fun to be in this seat. Like now I know how you feel when you talk to me and I'm like so excited to hear about it because I didn't get to go. And I'm like, okay, you got to spill the tea. I want to know what you saw, what trends are happening and like all the good stuff. I want to know. to start, like what was the overarching, like what was your itinerary like set the stage? What was it like?
Katie (00:57.143)
Yeah.
Katie (01:12.278)
It was crazy. So I will tell you if you think you need a weekend high point, you do not. And for your sanity, I would recommend not doing a weekend high point. Too much. It's like drinking out of a fire hydrant. So we were super calculated going in, left on a Friday morning, 6 a.m. flight and got back Sunday night at midnight. So it was quick and dirty.
Di (01:20.04)
It's too much.
Katie (01:34.058)
It was fast, but I still got all of you your color matches to Sherwin Williams, which I'm super excited to share with you because there's some gorgeous colors in there. Super fun because we got to sit on a panel with Louanne Negara, Michelle Lin, and Rick Campos talking about the power of processes when it comes to profitability at Universal, which was great. And then we got to see our vendors, which is really what it's about, right? Relationship building, seeing what's new and coming to market.
Di (01:34.471)
Yeah.
Di (01:51.591)
Mm.
Katie (02:01.89)
Di, there's some fun stuff coming our way. I'm just saying, I was surprised at how much transition there is, especially in colors. I think that's going to be the big one coming out of this one.
Di (02:13.288)
Yeah, so let's start there. Let's start with the trends. What were some of the trends that you've seen that were a new to this high point market, right? Because that high point tends to be the one that sets that pace. But then also, what are some of the trends you saw holding steady from the last couple markets?
Katie (02:21.955)
Yeah.
Katie (02:29.1)
Yeah, great question. So starting with colors, I'm going to call it that blue and mustard are on their way out the front door. So you're going to still see some blues, but they're going to be more teals and more aqua and not as much Navy. I want to say in the forehand showroom, there was only one Navy almost denim, but it was super soft sofa that was really yummy. But to tell you the truth, everything is switching. Those blues are going to go to greens.
Di (02:52.177)
cool.
Katie (02:59.284)
Those mustards are gonna go to apricots and blushes and we saw it time and time and time again Yeah, I know really pretty right like velvet velvet is back velvet is back Like we've talked about velvet being back. It's it's not going anywhere I would almost say that that's like a holdover from last market because you saw that right?
Di (03:06.157)
Yeah, care for that.
Di (03:11.433)
Mm-hmm.
Di (03:16.815)
Yeah, that kind of classic. It's like not a high pile, but it's like that classic velvet. to see it's coming in blush now, like in big sofas and not just accents.
Katie (03:24.232)
it's so pretty. Yes, it's coming in blush. And then the greens are like these olivey deep, rich gray undertones. So it's not what you picture when you're like emerald green velvet. Hooray. No, not at all. These are like really sophisticated, beautiful, deep, and it's coming in the chocolate browns, which we've talked about before. And they're still around. And I would say that those mustards, those yellows are going to go more mustard almost to the point of like
Di (03:32.411)
Eh...
Di (03:37.095)
You
Di (03:45.375)
Yeah, yeah, good.
Katie (03:52.994)
Burnt mustard or gold even? saw a lot of gold. Yeah, but they're cool golds. They're not brassy warm gold.
Di (03:54.833)
Okay.
Katie (04:01.614)
It's almost like, in fact, one of those is in the color palette that you guys should go hop over and get at our website. We'll put it in the show notes. But the free color matches. There's a gold in there, too, that's really, really pretty. So I think the colors are going to change dramatically. saw, and we even are seeing some, we talked about it last time, but more Merlot.
almost like a maroon. But it was interesting. I was talking to someone who had just arrived from Paris and they're like, no cherry reds. You're going to start seeing true blue resin. I'm like.
Di (04:34.891)
Mmm.
Katie (04:36.628)
gosh, I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I'm still in the Merlot department. So brace yourself. Apparently that is on the way as well. So just a ton of really beautiful colors, but I will say, think especially in the spring, you're going to just see the green replacing the Navy across the board. is. And it's not just, I will say it's not just the olive greens. Like there's some pretty vibrant greens in there too. Saria had some, there's some beautiful, beautiful greens in there that it's
Di (04:54.028)
the movies.
Katie (05:06.362)
They just look beautiful with a white and a black background. It's just really hard to beat. And we're seeing that go, not so much, I should say, like the grays and the tans go away. They're still neutral tones, but you're starting to see more contrast and a lot of depth in these colors. That's like kind of what you experienced in Vegas, though, right?
Di (05:10.316)
Mm-hmm.
Di (05:22.221)
Yeah.
Di (05:26.176)
Yeah, you saw a lot of that, especially like, it was starting to like bleed into like, the more like, customer focused brands and not just the boutique kind of designer brand. So it's nice to see that that is still holding so that as those things start to roll out for our clients, like they don't feel like a bait and switch like, well you said green and now, and now it's not. So that's, that's encouraging.
Katie (05:34.732)
Yup.
Katie (05:46.23)
Yeah. Yeah. And now we're doing something new.
Di (05:50.933)
Yeah, exactly. Like I can't keep up. What about lighting? Did you see any like different lighting trends?
Katie (05:57.11)
So lighting a lot of what you had shared last time, we're seeing the woven, a lot of natural fibers, a lot of weave where you're still seeing the bulb through, lots of glass. There was this one gorgeous fixture that almost looked like a mushroom and it had glass drops, tear drops hanging off it.
Di (06:02.903)
Mm-hmm.
Di (06:14.496)
those little drippies. So cute.
Katie (06:16.258)
Yes, but it was hammered. The top of the mushroom was hammered, which was super fun. So you're still seeing texture. The world is still very ripe at texture, but I will say the bouquet has kind of died off, which if we remember talking to Nello Morelli, our guy out of Italy, I love Nello, and he per-
Di (06:23.889)
Yeah.
Katie (06:35.028)
He's the one who's projecting three to five years ahead with color out of Italy and choosing colors for Versace. Right. And he had said to us last time he was on the show, he said, keep an eye out for it. You're going to see the bouclés start to go away and you're going to see softer linens and still some texture that's happening. And that started happening at this market. So we still saw some bouclés. We still saw some more tweed. We still saw some texture, but it wasn't at the level. I don't think that we have been seeing it. And what's really coming in, I wonder if you saw this in Vegas.
Di (06:48.26)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (07:04.922)
us rope. It's all about the rope. Rope is on everything and I'm not talking like coastal rope like where we typically see it on the legs of coastal applications. There are some gorgeous sophisticated outdoor pieces that almost look like you took a shoelace and threaded it in figure eights between the bottom of the chair and the top of the chair that was stunning.
Di (07:07.46)
Yeah.
Di (07:20.463)
Di (07:25.167)
Nice. Yeah.
Katie (07:27.532)
And we're seeing it in lighting where it still allows the peep through of that bulb. It's not an Edison bulb. It's still a frosted bulb, but it just creates a really cool effect. We saw rope and coil. So you'll see in the side tables, it's almost like a coil pot, harkening back to my kids' art classes and what they learned. But originally, Native Americans used to create coil pots where they'd roll a rope and then they'd wind it up and stack it, right? We're starting to see that in side tables.
Di (07:31.022)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (07:56.15)
So it's the idea of almost, yes, it's almost like a rope effect on the side table where they'll coil up, but it'll create a figure eight, which is really, really neat. And so there was just, yeah, tons of texture, but I would say rope is a really big thing. Not so much the alabaster that you saw in Vegas. Didn't see as much plaster, I should say, instead of alabaster, but yeah, didn't see as much plaster going on. There was some in decor.
Di (07:56.591)
I was gonna say was it side tables? Yeah, yeah. Uh-huh.
Di (08:07.536)
Mm-hmm.
Di (08:15.216)
okay.
Katie (08:24.915)
Not as much in lighting. And horses. Can we talk about horses?
Di (08:25.041)
Mm.
Di (08:32.241)
video you sent me? just died. I died. Yeah, tell me what that was like in person. I'm here for it.
Katie (08:35.588)
my gosh. Yeah, it's great. So horses are horses are not just for Montana anymore, apparently, because I saw more horses than I knew what to do with. If I had to pick a market animal, it's going to be a horse. I saw more horses. It was just it was hilarious to me. So yeah, there were horses everywhere and not just over at say, hooker. I mean, it was it was like ubiquitous horses across the board, tons of horses.
Di (08:46.001)
you
Di (09:03.281)
Was it like the Highland cows back in like 2014? Like how that was the craze?
Katie (09:06.814)
Yes. Yes. my gosh. Every shaggy, adorable cow that looked like it belonged in Ireland. Yes, that's exactly what it was. But yes, so tons of horses. Horses are the spirit animal of this market for sure. So yeah, there's your broad overview. mean, lots of stuff. Some carry over from what you saw in Vegas, but also some new direction. And I would say too, there's a lot of two-tone. So we're seeing like a wood frame mixed with a marble top. And.
Di (09:18.577)
Nice. That's awesome.
Di (09:31.568)
Okay.
Di (09:35.334)
yeah, yeah, yeah.
Katie (09:36.8)
Yeah, Carrera marble, say goodbye. Wave it out the door, because it's all going to travertine. It's all going to like real chunky marble, what you envision with heavy veins. Concrete. There's some beautiful outdoor that almost looks travertine that's concrete. But we're starting to see that natural stone and just black, beautiful black, almost like soapstone top.
Di (09:46.479)
that. Love that.
Di (10:02.618)
Yeah.
Katie (10:03.478)
really pretty with like a gold trim border. Amazing. Just really cool to see. But we're starting. It has it has I think that's not going to go anywhere. Yeah.
Di (10:09.329)
So that's held steady. Yeah, yeah, that's good to know. Yeah. Well, and so all of these we're gonna compile and we're doing on the website for all of those color trends too, right? So you'll be able to see the Sherwin color and all of the colors that Gaby's been talking about for this. So, okay, so we did that. We did the trends. You did it fast and furious with a really short window. I don't know how you do it. I don't know how you're still standing, but I'm so proud of you. Because that's a lot, especially logistically. Like, whoa.
Katie (10:30.689)
Literally.
Katie (10:35.234)
Right back at you, girl. It was a fast 48. Yeah.
Di (10:39.206)
so I'm excited to get that out to everyone. Yeah. And then you did a panel too, right? Like you, you spoke to our coaching clients that you have. And so how did, how did that whole experience go with, with the panel?
Katie (10:50.54)
Yes. So one thing I love about Highpoint, if you go, don't go just to go meet your vendors, which don't get me wrong, it's really important. And you get special sales at market when you place orders at market. Big tip there, if you're getting ready to place an order, it might be worth it just to go to market to get the discounts on your order. But one of the things I love about it is education. And so I think that is one of the most valuable to stay fresh. And we talked about this in the panel.
Di (11:00.025)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (11:14.854)
Discussion that I shared with Michelle in and Rick Campos and Louie and Nagara hosted which was great But we really talked about you can't pour from an empty cup And I think that's one of my favorite parts about high point is you get a chance to come and fill your cup And it was so great. We were standing room only it was RSVP There were people in the lobby who wanted to get in and couldn't and so if you're one of those people I want to say I'm so sorry. We missed you. We're hoping to do it again next market because Universal was a fabulous host and a shout out to Mary Lee for a
Di (11:26.51)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (11:44.528)
wonderful experience with that. But stick with us for that because it was so good to see so many designers in one space. It's one thing to sit here and talk to people on Zoom and coach and work through things. It's another when you can give them a hug around the neck, right? And that was like the best.
Di (11:52.357)
Mm-hmm.
Di (11:59.685)
Yeah, totally.
Katie (12:01.816)
part to sit there in that space with them and hear like, what are your problems with your processes? What is working? What is not working? What do you want to change? and how you're missing out on profitability if you don't have processes. And I love what Rick said. He's like, you don't think you have processes. If you have a contract, that's your first process right there. That is a process to have a contract, which I thought was utterly brilliant because sometimes it's like, where do I start with that? Right. so it was just a really great conversation. And then it was fun because we actually got to see
Di (12:21.915)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (12:31.76)
coaching clients which was so fun yes because like I said you actually get to give them a hug around the neck and it's just great to share that space with them and even sitting in a vendor showroom and just having whatever's on the buffet for lunch together at some random table right anyone who's been to markets like my gosh that's the only way I get fed yes I can relate to that it was just so lovely to sit with them and just hear more about their lives and we're not just trying to problem-solve all the time like
Di (12:33.637)
So good.
Di (12:48.931)
Right?
Di (13:01.168)
Yeah.
Katie (13:01.6)
Understand who their spouses are and like how's it going with the dog? Yes, we're humans We're humans and that was like so fun and to all the people that were brave enough to come up and like find me in different showrooms after and say Thank you. I want to thank you guys because you didn't have to do that and it meant the world when you're like Hey, I saw you're talking. It was great Thank you for having the courage to come up and say hi because it makes you realize that we're part of a such a larger community, which we know
Di (13:03.823)
Yeah, for people. Yeah.
Di (13:21.392)
Hmm.
Di (13:29.094)
Right.
Katie (13:29.346)
But actually being in that space is such a wonderful thing because it just makes, as visual people, it makes it real, right? And so that was super, it was just great.
Di (13:37.425)
Mm hmm. Yeah, to actually be able to put like a face to face like you're saying rather than just like an email about strategy. It's like at the end of the day, we're all people and we're all trying real hard to make some things happen. So like being able to meet in person just I feel like it takes it to the next level. And then when you have like follow up strategy calls, it's like, my gosh, I've met her like, I know how like good her energy is in person too. So yeah, I'm sure that went just like a crazy long way with everybody.
Katie (13:50.626)
Yes!
Katie (14:05.196)
It was so fun. It was just fun for me. Like it's really, it just made it so real and great. And yeah, I mean, beyond, it was great to see the showrooms and don't think that this is all like, who you keep peachy King over here because I also came home with plenty of blisters. It just doesn't matter how many shoes you have or how good you think they are. I swear my pinky toes, both have blisters on them that are bigger than the pinky toe itself.
Di (14:13.549)
Yeah. Yeah.
Di (14:23.409)
Hahaha
Bye!
Di (14:32.239)
Hahaha!
Katie (14:32.27)
And we're going to work through that over the next few days at our camp. But it really was worth it to be able to see. And even it was great. It was great to see IDS. And as you know, many of you, the president or the executive director, Jenny, had her baby a while back. And she bopped in, even though she's on maternity leave. So just to see her and spend some time and space with her, it's really.
Di (14:43.385)
Mm-hmm.
Di (14:52.433)
Nice.
Katie (14:56.47)
At the risk of sounding like you're going to a sorority or fraternity meetup, it really kind of is a Mecca for a reason because you go and you see all your people. And it's nice to see your people when you're spending countless hours on chief or running a business or looking at financials or trying to do it and be like, wait to your point, which is a great one. We're all people out here, right? Trying to do the hard work, trying our guts out. Yeah. Yeah. It was great. It was so good.
Di (15:22.715)
So good. And as far as vendors go, did you feel like within that short time you were able to connect with our primary vendors and really be able to like talk about what's coming up in 2025? you feel like you had enough time to do that? Who was kind of like, who stood out to you as far as showrooms go?
Katie (15:38.808)
Great question. So yes, and that's thanks to you, Di, because Di's like, we're gonna get you appointments on the books and we're gonna get you scheduled and we're gonna, and it was great. I logged into my calendar when I landed and I'm like, huh, yeah, yeah, we're gonna be busy, all right? I just followed my little calendar and marched to my beat and showed up where I needed to show up. But yeah, you know what? So this is a really interesting point and this is the golden nugget of market. If you show up and you wanna dawdle around and look, you could spend four to five days.
I mean, there's over 12 million square feet of showroom space alone. So if you want to do that and that's your jam, great, do it. If you want to get in and out.
Di (16:07.054)
Easy.
Katie (16:17.966)
and do it fast and dirty and say I have 48 hours. I'm going to maximize that 48 hours. You've got to have vendor appointments and it's so nice because then they know they have an hour with you. They know what you typically buy source. In fact, it was funny. One of our vendors he's like die is absolutely going to love this piece. So of course I created a video and send it to die. I'm like you're going to love this piece. She's like I love that piece. I'm like see, but that's what's so great to your point about vendor relationships. You have to have those relationships and go set up your appointments in advance.
You'll get a coffee on the front end because every showroom has a barista in it, right? You'll get a coffee on the front end They'll tour you through what you need to know coming up and you'll learn their processes and just that relationship building alone I feel like is so valuable. Is that how it is for you to when you head out?
Di (16:52.923)
Mm-hmm.
Di (17:04.729)
Yeah, and it's just like a time to to connect just as people instead of just the you both parties asking like, Hey, is this in stock? Or hey, like, what's my ETA on this? Or you know, what's what can we do about the freight charge here? You know, that kind of like just true business that we do every day, you know, in email, but it's like, my gosh, how are your kids? Like, how did that go? How was, you know, your daughter's this or that? Like those little things that, you know, you were
Katie (17:23.106)
Yes.
Di (17:30.071)
you remember, but in the moment of a crazy Tuesday morning, you don't always have the time or capacity to spend another five minutes on the phone asking how they are as people. because we are able to do that when we're at market and actually see you in person, it's like, yeah, I adore you as a person. And we have that connection. So it's just nice to connect on a vendor level as well. And it's a, I scratch your back, you scratch mine.
Katie (17:34.838)
right?
Di (17:58.231)
we're both trying to build business and it's nice to be able to spend that time together because that's the ultimate goal is to build business and create a good experience for our client. So I think it's worth going to some of these markets, whether it's Vegas or High Point, which is something I want to ask you about, but it's worth it. do you think, mean, High Point versus Vegas, I know we talk about every single one, but what camp are you in this time?
Katie (18:00.835)
Yeah.
Katie (18:16.334)
Yeah.
Katie (18:22.23)
we do. You know, it was interesting. I was asking our vendors, I was like, pull the vendor and see what they have to say. And there were vendors that were like, no, there's still value to Vegas. Like, I'd still go to Vegas. I think it depends on who your vendors are, and how comfortable you are. Because going to Highpoint, it's an event.
Di (18:30.2)
Yeah.
Katie (18:42.316)
Like I flew into Raleigh-Durham because I needed a nonstop flight out of Seattle. So instead of Greensboro. So that's like another hour and a half drive on top of, right? But I know that I don't need to see every single vendor either. Like any design firm that says we have 300 vendors on the books, I'm like, you're wasting time. You should have a handful, right, of killer relationships.
Di (18:43.141)
Mm hmm. Okay.
Di (18:59.257)
Right, right, right.
Di (19:05.2)
a lot of interest.
of your
Katie (19:10.35)
Yes, and then is there a time to my gosh all I can think of is the word bedazzle because in this one showroom They had like literally I have no other term for it, but a bedazzled bed
a bedazzled dining room table, bedazzled chairs, a bedazzled sideboard. Like I walked out and I just felt like I was part of the glitterati. I was just like, that is just so much bling. Like I just don't even know where to start, right? But you do need those couple of vendors to drop in the, the bedazzle, but to put the jewelry on your design, right? But 80 % is gonna be your core.
Di (19:38.787)
Yeah, yeah.
Katie (19:43.02)
Go find your core. And if they're debuting more at Vegas, go to Vegas. If they're debuting more at High Point, go to High Point. But don't try to see all 12 million square feet. just, the juice isn't worth the squeeze to me. And I feel like I'd be curious if this happens to you at Vegas, but I start to shut down. So like my senses as a visual person, right? We can only take in so much before it's like abort, information overload, blue screen of death.
Di (19:44.475)
Yeah.
Di (19:59.277)
yeah.
Di (20:08.729)
Like I'm looking at it, but I'm not like, like processing any of it. They're all just sofas at this point. Like I'm tired. Yeah, like, eww.
Katie (20:12.066)
Yeah, I'm not processing. Yeah. Yeah. It's a three on three. Who knew? Yeah.
I totally agree with that. so that was like, think start with the people that you know. And then if they're, you're like, I want to kill her coffee table company or I need to find a cow hide company, whatever it is that you're in it for, go find those vendors after you see your basics. But yeah, I love what you said about just seeing them as people. Like it was so great just to sit and just have a cocktail and see them as people. And that was really nice too. In fact, I love what one of our vendors said. She's like, okay, so we can go walk the showroom.
Di (20:29.68)
Yeah.
Katie (20:51.994)
Or we can sit down with the virtual magazine at the bar and have a cocktail and do it virtually, even though it's right around us. And I was like, well, considering the size of the blisters, let's start there and then we'll walk. And so we did. And it worked out great. It totally was. I was like, thank you, Anita. That's exactly what I needed. it's so true.
Di (21:02.96)
Yeah.
That'll be the appetizer for this experience.
Di (21:12.333)
Yeah, right. Way to read the room,
Katie (21:16.286)
I know, seriously. And the best part is that it was only 11 a.m. And Anita knew I'd been on it since like eight. And she's like, so this is like showroom number. I'm like three, four. don't know. Yeah, I'm here for it. And she's like, so and I'm like, I feel seen in this moment. And thank you. Totally. I was like, we have to do the mocktail because I have to speak in a couple hours. But yes, yes. To the sitting at the bar part. I'm just saying. Yeah.
Di (21:23.256)
Yes.
Di (21:30.095)
Yep. I feel safe seen and heard right now.
Di (21:40.623)
Yep. Experience though. Well, that's so good. Okay. So overall though, like what was like the biggest, the biggest gem, biggest thing you learned off of this particular market.
Katie (21:53.506)
I was reminded at how grateful I am to be a part of this community and how thankful I am for the kindest people. like I saw you out there hustling for your clients. I saw the vendors hustling for us to make it work. And I saw what kind of hardworking people were.
community with and that to me was so beautiful to see because when you are alone at your machine all day and you're grinding it out and you're doing it I lose sight of that and to sit on that panel and see the other beautifully intelligent capable people who are elevating our industry like Michelle, Rick and Luanne to give hugs around the neck to people I didn't even know who just came up and came up and said thank you
Di (22:16.048)
Yeah.
Di (22:24.88)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (22:38.912)
for saying what you said. Whatever it was, I was just reminded, like, we are so privileged. And we are so, I was so humbled and honored to just realize, like, what a great group of people there are out there trying to make the world a more beautiful, functional, and kind place. And that was really cool to see. Like, I sidebarred with one of the cops.
Di (22:54.353)
Mm-hmm.
Di (22:59.045)
So good.
Katie (23:02.572)
who was there and I said, so tell me all about this down here. What happens to this place? Like the other 50 weeks of the year when it's not spring and fall market, let's talk about that. And he's like, High Point is a city. It's a hundred thousand people. But then we add a hundred thousand during each of these weeks. And I said, are you? Yeah, it's crazy. Right. And I said, like, do you see an uptick in crime? I mean, that's kind of crazy. A hundred thousand people come in and like, what happens? He's like, no.
Di (23:08.587)
Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah.
Di (23:21.777)
See you.
Di (23:27.714)
Yeah, that's a lot.
Katie (23:31.52)
Never. He's like, we clear out everything we need to to make sure that when you guys come in, it's safe for you. There's plenty of parking. But like just a testament to that, like I left one of my cell phones at Universal and I was like, I've lost a cell phone. This is just not a good market for Katie. And literally.
Di (23:37.873)
Right.
Di (23:41.583)
Yeah, totally.
Di (23:49.873)
Hahaha
Katie (23:52.32)
I got I went back three hours later. It was after hours. I knocked on the glass. The gentleman mopping the floor opens the door for me. Then security came and I'm like, I'm missing a phone. And you guys, this is my personal phone. It has all my kids pictures on it. I'm like, please tell me this is here somewhere. Total heart murmurs. I'm like, we need some nitroglycerin and a cocktail and and guess where it was. It was just laying on the reception bar. Just laying there had been there for hours.
Di (24:06.596)
heart murmurs. Yeah.
Di (24:13.297)
You
Katie (24:21.612)
And this is at Universal where they offer blowouts and cocktails and they have everything and there's thousands of people who could have taken that phone and it's just sitting there. Isn't that amazing? I'm like, we work with really cool humans.
Di (24:32.571)
That's amazing. Yeah, like that speaks volumes, I feel like to the community of all the designers who show up to those spaces. That's awesome.
Katie (24:41.314)
Yeah, it was just incredible. I was like, shout out to the security who makes all that happen. And then shout out really to the group of peers that we're a part of. We have a really cool tribe in the larger world of design. And it's so good to visually see that.
Di (24:46.682)
Mm-hmm.
Di (24:51.344)
Okay.
Di (24:57.873)
Yeah, that's good. I'm so glad you got to go this round and get get your cup full of inspiration. I was sad. I'm not gonna lie to you. I was sad because I love going to those things, but I'm glad you got to go.
Katie (25:01.031)
Me too. I mean, like, I'm really sad you didn't get to go.
Katie (25:11.65)
Well, now I know why. I mean, seriously, it was it was really, really fun to be able to sit in that space, but it missed you. Like, I know you're going to have a good time getting back to it, but it was it was fun. I'm glad I got to go in. I had big shoes to fill. I hope I did right by you die. And then we got what we needed to out of market so we can share it with you all as far as the color matches and whatnot. Awesome. OK, how do you like the host chair die?
Di (25:30.415)
crushed it.
Di (25:36.378)
Yep, completely.
Thank you. my gosh. It's just so nice to be able to pick your brain and like just get a different perspective, right? Because I feel like sometimes it's like you go and you see some of those same things, but you're not really looking like it's just a different lens, right? And like your ability to see things differently and your experience with the coaching client is so good to hear that, you know, that that all worked out so swimmingly and that you've got to actually, like you said, see a face, a hug. Cause that's really what it's about. So.
Katie (25:48.75)
Mmm.
Katie (25:52.643)
Yeah.
Katie (26:03.662)
It was so fun.
Di (26:07.802)
I appreciate you for going and spending the time. mean, it's a lot. Travel wise, it's a lot. So yeah, thank you for for doing that.
Katie (26:08.099)
Yeah.
Hmm. It's a lot. Yeah, my toes say it's a lot. Yeah. No, so happy to do so. And I'm a hugger. So if you ever don't want to get a hug, you shouldn't come try to find me a market because I will hug you. Just saying I'm a hugger. So there's that. But yeah, it was super fun. So thank you for hosting. You did a fabulous job.
I hope this was helpful to everyone. We love bringing you market. We love doing this. And hopefully this will be relevant for those of you that didn't get to go. And for those of you that did, if you're taping your blisters too, just know we're in community together on that. And we're all here for you. Well said. All right. Thank you, Di. Bye, everybody.
I'm your host, Katie Erickson
I’m a commercial exterior and interior designer with an MBA and nearly 20 years in the industry. When I’m not leading my coast-to-coast, multi-million dollar firm, I love sharing real talk on the business of design, blending insights from 20 years as a business professor. I keep it honest—balancing work and chasing my two girls around.
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Fall ‘24 High Point Market Trends with Diana Rushton
It’s Fall, which means one thing in our world—it’s Fall High Point Market time! Typically Di goes to market and comes back to share her tips for going to market and her rundown on what’s trending. But this time… Katie went to market! So it’s Di’s turn to be in the host’s chair!
We know you’re here for the tips, tricks, trends, and everything we learn at market. And this conversation won’t disappoint! Katie is sharing tips for planning the perfect long or short market itinerary, which surprising textures and—animals?!—are trending, and a sneak peek into the panel discussion she was a part of. You’re not gonna want to miss this week’s Coaching Corner either! Time to press play!
In this episode, we cover:
How long your trip to High Point Market should be
The interior design trends holding steady and new trends popping up
Which surprising textures and animals trending in interior design
The people Katie was able to meet and her panel experience at market
Vendors Katie was able to meet with and her favorite showrooms
If you’ve never been to market before, we hope this helps you create a winning itinerary for a successful experience! Were you at the Fall 2024 High Point Market? Do you think we missed any highlights or aha’s? We’d love to hear from you! Find us and share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn.
More about Diana Rushton
Diana specializes in project management and interior design. She likes that the partnership between project management and design work fulfills her lifelong love of art and puzzles. Diana feels she's found her true calling with 15 years of experience in brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, residential, and commercial design. She strives to create beautifully inspired work with each project while bringing transparency to the process. You'll probably find her sipping iced coffee or petting as many puppies as possible when she's not designing or managing projects.
Links and Mentioned Resources
Fall 2024 High Point Market Complimentary Color Match Book
Related Episodes
High Point vs Vegas Market Experience 2024
Color Forecasting w/ Nello Marelli
Connect with Diana Rushton
Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson
Book Your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie!
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More about Success by Design: Mastering the business of interior design
As an interior designer, do you struggle with balancing your passion for creativity with the practical demands and hopes of running a successful business? Whether starting a new venture or scaling an existing firm, the complexities can be overwhelming. Welcome to “Success by Design: Mastering the Business of Interior Design,” a podcast designed to bridge the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship.
This masterclass is hosted by the dynamic Katie Decker-Erickson, a seasoned expert with nearly 20 years of experience in interior design, a Master's degree in Business Administration, and creator and owner of a multimillion-dollar interior design firm.
Each episode offers innovative and actionable business strategies, engaging conversations, and practical guidance to help you build and grow a successful design business. Tune in every other Friday on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms to ignite your creative spark and sharpen your entrepreneurial skills. (Topics and language are kid/family friendly.)
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The unedited podcast transcript for this episode of the Success by Design: Mastering the business of interior design follows:
Katie (00:01.058)
Hello everybody. I know that you guys all hang out for the tips, tricks, trends, everything that we learn at market every time we go. And this time is no different except for we are swapping it up, which is really, really fun because normally Di goes to market, right? And she gives us all of the trends and what's going on and what she's seen and what she's learned. And we had Di out on a project that had been postponed. And so she was actually in Ohio for this week. And so...
It was super fun. got called up to participate and head off to market, which was an absolute blast. And so we're going to swap up this episode. is going to take the reins and ask me the questions. Super fun. Yay, Di. Welcome to being the host of Success by Design. Congratulations to welcome to the host chair.
Di (00:41.329)
you
Di (00:45.959)
You
It's so fun to be in this seat. Like now I know how you feel when you talk to me and I'm like so excited to hear about it because I didn't get to go. And I'm like, okay, you got to spill the tea. I want to know what you saw, what trends are happening and like all the good stuff. I want to know. to start, like what was the overarching, like what was your itinerary like set the stage? What was it like?
Katie (00:57.143)
Yeah.
Katie (01:12.278)
It was crazy. So I will tell you if you think you need a weekend high point, you do not. And for your sanity, I would recommend not doing a weekend high point. Too much. It's like drinking out of a fire hydrant. So we were super calculated going in, left on a Friday morning, 6 a.m. flight and got back Sunday night at midnight. So it was quick and dirty.
Di (01:20.04)
It's too much.
Katie (01:34.058)
It was fast, but I still got all of you your color matches to Sherwin Williams, which I'm super excited to share with you because there's some gorgeous colors in there. Super fun because we got to sit on a panel with Louanne Negara, Michelle Lin, and Rick Campos talking about the power of processes when it comes to profitability at Universal, which was great. And then we got to see our vendors, which is really what it's about, right? Relationship building, seeing what's new and coming to market.
Di (01:34.471)
Yeah.
Di (01:51.591)
Mm.
Katie (02:01.89)
Di, there's some fun stuff coming our way. I'm just saying, I was surprised at how much transition there is, especially in colors. I think that's going to be the big one coming out of this one.
Di (02:13.288)
Yeah, so let's start there. Let's start with the trends. What were some of the trends that you've seen that were a new to this high point market, right? Because that high point tends to be the one that sets that pace. But then also, what are some of the trends you saw holding steady from the last couple markets?
Katie (02:21.955)
Yeah.
Katie (02:29.1)
Yeah, great question. So starting with colors, I'm going to call it that blue and mustard are on their way out the front door. So you're going to still see some blues, but they're going to be more teals and more aqua and not as much Navy. I want to say in the forehand showroom, there was only one Navy almost denim, but it was super soft sofa that was really yummy. But to tell you the truth, everything is switching. Those blues are going to go to greens.
Di (02:52.177)
cool.
Katie (02:59.284)
Those mustards are gonna go to apricots and blushes and we saw it time and time and time again Yeah, I know really pretty right like velvet velvet is back velvet is back Like we've talked about velvet being back. It's it's not going anywhere I would almost say that that's like a holdover from last market because you saw that right?
Di (03:06.157)
Yeah, care for that.
Di (03:11.433)
Mm-hmm.
Di (03:16.815)
Yeah, that kind of classic. It's like not a high pile, but it's like that classic velvet. to see it's coming in blush now, like in big sofas and not just accents.
Katie (03:24.232)
it's so pretty. Yes, it's coming in blush. And then the greens are like these olivey deep, rich gray undertones. So it's not what you picture when you're like emerald green velvet. Hooray. No, not at all. These are like really sophisticated, beautiful, deep, and it's coming in the chocolate browns, which we've talked about before. And they're still around. And I would say that those mustards, those yellows are going to go more mustard almost to the point of like
Di (03:32.411)
Eh...
Di (03:37.095)
You
Di (03:45.375)
Yeah, yeah, good.
Katie (03:52.994)
Burnt mustard or gold even? saw a lot of gold. Yeah, but they're cool golds. They're not brassy warm gold.
Di (03:54.833)
Okay.
Katie (04:01.614)
It's almost like, in fact, one of those is in the color palette that you guys should go hop over and get at our website. We'll put it in the show notes. But the free color matches. There's a gold in there, too, that's really, really pretty. So I think the colors are going to change dramatically. saw, and we even are seeing some, we talked about it last time, but more Merlot.
almost like a maroon. But it was interesting. I was talking to someone who had just arrived from Paris and they're like, no cherry reds. You're going to start seeing true blue resin. I'm like.
Di (04:34.891)
Mmm.
Katie (04:36.628)
gosh, I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I'm still in the Merlot department. So brace yourself. Apparently that is on the way as well. So just a ton of really beautiful colors, but I will say, think especially in the spring, you're going to just see the green replacing the Navy across the board. is. And it's not just, I will say it's not just the olive greens. Like there's some pretty vibrant greens in there too. Saria had some, there's some beautiful, beautiful greens in there that it's
Di (04:54.028)
the movies.
Katie (05:06.362)
They just look beautiful with a white and a black background. It's just really hard to beat. And we're seeing that go, not so much, I should say, like the grays and the tans go away. They're still neutral tones, but you're starting to see more contrast and a lot of depth in these colors. That's like kind of what you experienced in Vegas, though, right?
Di (05:10.316)
Mm-hmm.
Di (05:22.221)
Yeah.
Di (05:26.176)
Yeah, you saw a lot of that, especially like, it was starting to like bleed into like, the more like, customer focused brands and not just the boutique kind of designer brand. So it's nice to see that that is still holding so that as those things start to roll out for our clients, like they don't feel like a bait and switch like, well you said green and now, and now it's not. So that's, that's encouraging.
Katie (05:34.732)
Yup.
Katie (05:46.23)
Yeah. Yeah. And now we're doing something new.
Di (05:50.933)
Yeah, exactly. Like I can't keep up. What about lighting? Did you see any like different lighting trends?
Katie (05:57.11)
So lighting a lot of what you had shared last time, we're seeing the woven, a lot of natural fibers, a lot of weave where you're still seeing the bulb through, lots of glass. There was this one gorgeous fixture that almost looked like a mushroom and it had glass drops, tear drops hanging off it.
Di (06:02.903)
Mm-hmm.
Di (06:14.496)
those little drippies. So cute.
Katie (06:16.258)
Yes, but it was hammered. The top of the mushroom was hammered, which was super fun. So you're still seeing texture. The world is still very ripe at texture, but I will say the bouquet has kind of died off, which if we remember talking to Nello Morelli, our guy out of Italy, I love Nello, and he per-
Di (06:23.889)
Yeah.
Katie (06:35.028)
He's the one who's projecting three to five years ahead with color out of Italy and choosing colors for Versace. Right. And he had said to us last time he was on the show, he said, keep an eye out for it. You're going to see the bouclés start to go away and you're going to see softer linens and still some texture that's happening. And that started happening at this market. So we still saw some bouclés. We still saw some more tweed. We still saw some texture, but it wasn't at the level. I don't think that we have been seeing it. And what's really coming in, I wonder if you saw this in Vegas.
Di (06:48.26)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (07:04.922)
us rope. It's all about the rope. Rope is on everything and I'm not talking like coastal rope like where we typically see it on the legs of coastal applications. There are some gorgeous sophisticated outdoor pieces that almost look like you took a shoelace and threaded it in figure eights between the bottom of the chair and the top of the chair that was stunning.
Di (07:07.46)
Yeah.
Di (07:20.463)
Di (07:25.167)
Nice. Yeah.
Katie (07:27.532)
And we're seeing it in lighting where it still allows the peep through of that bulb. It's not an Edison bulb. It's still a frosted bulb, but it just creates a really cool effect. We saw rope and coil. So you'll see in the side tables, it's almost like a coil pot, harkening back to my kids' art classes and what they learned. But originally, Native Americans used to create coil pots where they'd roll a rope and then they'd wind it up and stack it, right? We're starting to see that in side tables.
Di (07:31.022)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (07:56.15)
So it's the idea of almost, yes, it's almost like a rope effect on the side table where they'll coil up, but it'll create a figure eight, which is really, really neat. And so there was just, yeah, tons of texture, but I would say rope is a really big thing. Not so much the alabaster that you saw in Vegas. Didn't see as much plaster, I should say, instead of alabaster, but yeah, didn't see as much plaster going on. There was some in decor.
Di (07:56.591)
I was gonna say was it side tables? Yeah, yeah. Uh-huh.
Di (08:07.536)
Mm-hmm.
Di (08:15.216)
okay.
Katie (08:24.915)
Not as much in lighting. And horses. Can we talk about horses?
Di (08:25.041)
Mm.
Di (08:32.241)
video you sent me? just died. I died. Yeah, tell me what that was like in person. I'm here for it.
Katie (08:35.588)
my gosh. Yeah, it's great. So horses are horses are not just for Montana anymore, apparently, because I saw more horses than I knew what to do with. If I had to pick a market animal, it's going to be a horse. I saw more horses. It was just it was hilarious to me. So yeah, there were horses everywhere and not just over at say, hooker. I mean, it was it was like ubiquitous horses across the board, tons of horses.
Di (08:46.001)
you
Di (09:03.281)
Was it like the Highland cows back in like 2014? Like how that was the craze?
Katie (09:06.814)
Yes. Yes. my gosh. Every shaggy, adorable cow that looked like it belonged in Ireland. Yes, that's exactly what it was. But yes, so tons of horses. Horses are the spirit animal of this market for sure. So yeah, there's your broad overview. mean, lots of stuff. Some carry over from what you saw in Vegas, but also some new direction. And I would say too, there's a lot of two-tone. So we're seeing like a wood frame mixed with a marble top. And.
Di (09:18.577)
Nice. That's awesome.
Di (09:31.568)
Okay.
Di (09:35.334)
yeah, yeah, yeah.
Katie (09:36.8)
Yeah, Carrera marble, say goodbye. Wave it out the door, because it's all going to travertine. It's all going to like real chunky marble, what you envision with heavy veins. Concrete. There's some beautiful outdoor that almost looks travertine that's concrete. But we're starting to see that natural stone and just black, beautiful black, almost like soapstone top.
Di (09:46.479)
that. Love that.
Di (10:02.618)
Yeah.
Katie (10:03.478)
really pretty with like a gold trim border. Amazing. Just really cool to see. But we're starting. It has it has I think that's not going to go anywhere. Yeah.
Di (10:09.329)
So that's held steady. Yeah, yeah, that's good to know. Yeah. Well, and so all of these we're gonna compile and we're doing on the website for all of those color trends too, right? So you'll be able to see the Sherwin color and all of the colors that Gaby's been talking about for this. So, okay, so we did that. We did the trends. You did it fast and furious with a really short window. I don't know how you do it. I don't know how you're still standing, but I'm so proud of you. Because that's a lot, especially logistically. Like, whoa.
Katie (10:30.689)
Literally.
Katie (10:35.234)
Right back at you, girl. It was a fast 48. Yeah.
Di (10:39.206)
so I'm excited to get that out to everyone. Yeah. And then you did a panel too, right? Like you, you spoke to our coaching clients that you have. And so how did, how did that whole experience go with, with the panel?
Katie (10:50.54)
Yes. So one thing I love about Highpoint, if you go, don't go just to go meet your vendors, which don't get me wrong, it's really important. And you get special sales at market when you place orders at market. Big tip there, if you're getting ready to place an order, it might be worth it just to go to market to get the discounts on your order. But one of the things I love about it is education. And so I think that is one of the most valuable to stay fresh. And we talked about this in the panel.
Di (11:00.025)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (11:14.854)
Discussion that I shared with Michelle in and Rick Campos and Louie and Nagara hosted which was great But we really talked about you can't pour from an empty cup And I think that's one of my favorite parts about high point is you get a chance to come and fill your cup And it was so great. We were standing room only it was RSVP There were people in the lobby who wanted to get in and couldn't and so if you're one of those people I want to say I'm so sorry. We missed you. We're hoping to do it again next market because Universal was a fabulous host and a shout out to Mary Lee for a
Di (11:26.51)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (11:44.528)
wonderful experience with that. But stick with us for that because it was so good to see so many designers in one space. It's one thing to sit here and talk to people on Zoom and coach and work through things. It's another when you can give them a hug around the neck, right? And that was like the best.
Di (11:52.357)
Mm-hmm.
Di (11:59.685)
Yeah, totally.
Katie (12:01.816)
part to sit there in that space with them and hear like, what are your problems with your processes? What is working? What is not working? What do you want to change? and how you're missing out on profitability if you don't have processes. And I love what Rick said. He's like, you don't think you have processes. If you have a contract, that's your first process right there. That is a process to have a contract, which I thought was utterly brilliant because sometimes it's like, where do I start with that? Right. so it was just a really great conversation. And then it was fun because we actually got to see
Di (12:21.915)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (12:31.76)
coaching clients which was so fun yes because like I said you actually get to give them a hug around the neck and it's just great to share that space with them and even sitting in a vendor showroom and just having whatever's on the buffet for lunch together at some random table right anyone who's been to markets like my gosh that's the only way I get fed yes I can relate to that it was just so lovely to sit with them and just hear more about their lives and we're not just trying to problem-solve all the time like
Di (12:33.637)
So good.
Di (12:48.931)
Right?
Di (13:01.168)
Yeah.
Katie (13:01.6)
Understand who their spouses are and like how's it going with the dog? Yes, we're humans We're humans and that was like so fun and to all the people that were brave enough to come up and like find me in different showrooms after and say Thank you. I want to thank you guys because you didn't have to do that and it meant the world when you're like Hey, I saw you're talking. It was great Thank you for having the courage to come up and say hi because it makes you realize that we're part of a such a larger community, which we know
Di (13:03.823)
Yeah, for people. Yeah.
Di (13:21.392)
Hmm.
Di (13:29.094)
Right.
Katie (13:29.346)
But actually being in that space is such a wonderful thing because it just makes, as visual people, it makes it real, right? And so that was super, it was just great.
Di (13:37.425)
Mm hmm. Yeah, to actually be able to put like a face to face like you're saying rather than just like an email about strategy. It's like at the end of the day, we're all people and we're all trying real hard to make some things happen. So like being able to meet in person just I feel like it takes it to the next level. And then when you have like follow up strategy calls, it's like, my gosh, I've met her like, I know how like good her energy is in person too. So yeah, I'm sure that went just like a crazy long way with everybody.
Katie (13:50.626)
Yes!
Katie (14:05.196)
It was so fun. It was just fun for me. Like it's really, it just made it so real and great. And yeah, I mean, beyond, it was great to see the showrooms and don't think that this is all like, who you keep peachy King over here because I also came home with plenty of blisters. It just doesn't matter how many shoes you have or how good you think they are. I swear my pinky toes, both have blisters on them that are bigger than the pinky toe itself.
Di (14:13.549)
Yeah. Yeah.
Di (14:23.409)
Hahaha
Bye!
Di (14:32.239)
Hahaha!
Katie (14:32.27)
And we're going to work through that over the next few days at our camp. But it really was worth it to be able to see. And even it was great. It was great to see IDS. And as you know, many of you, the president or the executive director, Jenny, had her baby a while back. And she bopped in, even though she's on maternity leave. So just to see her and spend some time and space with her, it's really.
Di (14:43.385)
Mm-hmm.
Di (14:52.433)
Nice.
Katie (14:56.47)
At the risk of sounding like you're going to a sorority or fraternity meetup, it really kind of is a Mecca for a reason because you go and you see all your people. And it's nice to see your people when you're spending countless hours on chief or running a business or looking at financials or trying to do it and be like, wait to your point, which is a great one. We're all people out here, right? Trying to do the hard work, trying our guts out. Yeah. Yeah. It was great. It was so good.
Di (15:22.715)
So good. And as far as vendors go, did you feel like within that short time you were able to connect with our primary vendors and really be able to like talk about what's coming up in 2025? you feel like you had enough time to do that? Who was kind of like, who stood out to you as far as showrooms go?
Katie (15:38.808)
Great question. So yes, and that's thanks to you, Di, because Di's like, we're gonna get you appointments on the books and we're gonna get you scheduled and we're gonna, and it was great. I logged into my calendar when I landed and I'm like, huh, yeah, yeah, we're gonna be busy, all right? I just followed my little calendar and marched to my beat and showed up where I needed to show up. But yeah, you know what? So this is a really interesting point and this is the golden nugget of market. If you show up and you wanna dawdle around and look, you could spend four to five days.
I mean, there's over 12 million square feet of showroom space alone. So if you want to do that and that's your jam, great, do it. If you want to get in and out.
Di (16:07.054)
Easy.
Katie (16:17.966)
and do it fast and dirty and say I have 48 hours. I'm going to maximize that 48 hours. You've got to have vendor appointments and it's so nice because then they know they have an hour with you. They know what you typically buy source. In fact, it was funny. One of our vendors he's like die is absolutely going to love this piece. So of course I created a video and send it to die. I'm like you're going to love this piece. She's like I love that piece. I'm like see, but that's what's so great to your point about vendor relationships. You have to have those relationships and go set up your appointments in advance.
You'll get a coffee on the front end because every showroom has a barista in it, right? You'll get a coffee on the front end They'll tour you through what you need to know coming up and you'll learn their processes and just that relationship building alone I feel like is so valuable. Is that how it is for you to when you head out?
Di (16:52.923)
Mm-hmm.
Di (17:04.729)
Yeah, and it's just like a time to to connect just as people instead of just the you both parties asking like, Hey, is this in stock? Or hey, like, what's my ETA on this? Or you know, what's what can we do about the freight charge here? You know, that kind of like just true business that we do every day, you know, in email, but it's like, my gosh, how are your kids? Like, how did that go? How was, you know, your daughter's this or that? Like those little things that, you know, you were
Katie (17:23.106)
Yes.
Di (17:30.071)
you remember, but in the moment of a crazy Tuesday morning, you don't always have the time or capacity to spend another five minutes on the phone asking how they are as people. because we are able to do that when we're at market and actually see you in person, it's like, yeah, I adore you as a person. And we have that connection. So it's just nice to connect on a vendor level as well. And it's a, I scratch your back, you scratch mine.
Katie (17:34.838)
right?
Di (17:58.231)
we're both trying to build business and it's nice to be able to spend that time together because that's the ultimate goal is to build business and create a good experience for our client. So I think it's worth going to some of these markets, whether it's Vegas or High Point, which is something I want to ask you about, but it's worth it. do you think, mean, High Point versus Vegas, I know we talk about every single one, but what camp are you in this time?
Katie (18:00.835)
Yeah.
Katie (18:16.334)
Yeah.
Katie (18:22.23)
we do. You know, it was interesting. I was asking our vendors, I was like, pull the vendor and see what they have to say. And there were vendors that were like, no, there's still value to Vegas. Like, I'd still go to Vegas. I think it depends on who your vendors are, and how comfortable you are. Because going to Highpoint, it's an event.
Di (18:30.2)
Yeah.
Katie (18:42.316)
Like I flew into Raleigh-Durham because I needed a nonstop flight out of Seattle. So instead of Greensboro. So that's like another hour and a half drive on top of, right? But I know that I don't need to see every single vendor either. Like any design firm that says we have 300 vendors on the books, I'm like, you're wasting time. You should have a handful, right, of killer relationships.
Di (18:43.141)
Mm hmm. Okay.
Di (18:59.257)
Right, right, right.
Di (19:05.2)
a lot of interest.
of your
Katie (19:10.35)
Yes, and then is there a time to my gosh all I can think of is the word bedazzle because in this one showroom They had like literally I have no other term for it, but a bedazzled bed
a bedazzled dining room table, bedazzled chairs, a bedazzled sideboard. Like I walked out and I just felt like I was part of the glitterati. I was just like, that is just so much bling. Like I just don't even know where to start, right? But you do need those couple of vendors to drop in the, the bedazzle, but to put the jewelry on your design, right? But 80 % is gonna be your core.
Di (19:38.787)
Yeah, yeah.
Katie (19:43.02)
Go find your core. And if they're debuting more at Vegas, go to Vegas. If they're debuting more at High Point, go to High Point. But don't try to see all 12 million square feet. just, the juice isn't worth the squeeze to me. And I feel like I'd be curious if this happens to you at Vegas, but I start to shut down. So like my senses as a visual person, right? We can only take in so much before it's like abort, information overload, blue screen of death.
Di (19:44.475)
Yeah.
Di (19:59.277)
yeah.
Di (20:08.729)
Like I'm looking at it, but I'm not like, like processing any of it. They're all just sofas at this point. Like I'm tired. Yeah, like, eww.
Katie (20:12.066)
Yeah, I'm not processing. Yeah. Yeah. It's a three on three. Who knew? Yeah.
I totally agree with that. so that was like, think start with the people that you know. And then if they're, you're like, I want to kill her coffee table company or I need to find a cow hide company, whatever it is that you're in it for, go find those vendors after you see your basics. But yeah, I love what you said about just seeing them as people. Like it was so great just to sit and just have a cocktail and see them as people. And that was really nice too. In fact, I love what one of our vendors said. She's like, okay, so we can go walk the showroom.
Di (20:29.68)
Yeah.
Katie (20:51.994)
Or we can sit down with the virtual magazine at the bar and have a cocktail and do it virtually, even though it's right around us. And I was like, well, considering the size of the blisters, let's start there and then we'll walk. And so we did. And it worked out great. It totally was. I was like, thank you, Anita. That's exactly what I needed. it's so true.
Di (21:02.96)
Yeah.
That'll be the appetizer for this experience.
Di (21:12.333)
Yeah, right. Way to read the room,
Katie (21:16.286)
I know, seriously. And the best part is that it was only 11 a.m. And Anita knew I'd been on it since like eight. And she's like, so this is like showroom number. I'm like three, four. don't know. Yeah, I'm here for it. And she's like, so and I'm like, I feel seen in this moment. And thank you. Totally. I was like, we have to do the mocktail because I have to speak in a couple hours. But yes, yes. To the sitting at the bar part. I'm just saying. Yeah.
Di (21:23.256)
Yes.
Di (21:30.095)
Yep. I feel safe seen and heard right now.
Di (21:40.623)
Yep. Experience though. Well, that's so good. Okay. So overall though, like what was like the biggest, the biggest gem, biggest thing you learned off of this particular market.
Katie (21:53.506)
I was reminded at how grateful I am to be a part of this community and how thankful I am for the kindest people. like I saw you out there hustling for your clients. I saw the vendors hustling for us to make it work. And I saw what kind of hardworking people were.
community with and that to me was so beautiful to see because when you are alone at your machine all day and you're grinding it out and you're doing it I lose sight of that and to sit on that panel and see the other beautifully intelligent capable people who are elevating our industry like Michelle, Rick and Luanne to give hugs around the neck to people I didn't even know who just came up and came up and said thank you
Di (22:16.048)
Yeah.
Di (22:24.88)
Mm-hmm.
Katie (22:38.912)
for saying what you said. Whatever it was, I was just reminded, like, we are so privileged. And we are so, I was so humbled and honored to just realize, like, what a great group of people there are out there trying to make the world a more beautiful, functional, and kind place. And that was really cool to see. Like, I sidebarred with one of the cops.
Di (22:54.353)
Mm-hmm.
Di (22:59.045)
So good.
Katie (23:02.572)
who was there and I said, so tell me all about this down here. What happens to this place? Like the other 50 weeks of the year when it's not spring and fall market, let's talk about that. And he's like, High Point is a city. It's a hundred thousand people. But then we add a hundred thousand during each of these weeks. And I said, are you? Yeah, it's crazy. Right. And I said, like, do you see an uptick in crime? I mean, that's kind of crazy. A hundred thousand people come in and like, what happens? He's like, no.
Di (23:08.587)
Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah.
Di (23:21.777)
See you.
Di (23:27.714)
Yeah, that's a lot.
Katie (23:31.52)
Never. He's like, we clear out everything we need to to make sure that when you guys come in, it's safe for you. There's plenty of parking. But like just a testament to that, like I left one of my cell phones at Universal and I was like, I've lost a cell phone. This is just not a good market for Katie. And literally.
Di (23:37.873)
Right.
Di (23:41.583)
Yeah, totally.
Di (23:49.873)
Hahaha
Katie (23:52.32)
I got I went back three hours later. It was after hours. I knocked on the glass. The gentleman mopping the floor opens the door for me. Then security came and I'm like, I'm missing a phone. And you guys, this is my personal phone. It has all my kids pictures on it. I'm like, please tell me this is here somewhere. Total heart murmurs. I'm like, we need some nitroglycerin and a cocktail and and guess where it was. It was just laying on the reception bar. Just laying there had been there for hours.
Di (24:06.596)
heart murmurs. Yeah.
Di (24:13.297)
You
Katie (24:21.612)
And this is at Universal where they offer blowouts and cocktails and they have everything and there's thousands of people who could have taken that phone and it's just sitting there. Isn't that amazing? I'm like, we work with really cool humans.
Di (24:32.571)
That's amazing. Yeah, like that speaks volumes, I feel like to the community of all the designers who show up to those spaces. That's awesome.
Katie (24:41.314)
Yeah, it was just incredible. I was like, shout out to the security who makes all that happen. And then shout out really to the group of peers that we're a part of. We have a really cool tribe in the larger world of design. And it's so good to visually see that.
Di (24:46.682)
Mm-hmm.
Di (24:51.344)
Okay.
Di (24:57.873)
Yeah, that's good. I'm so glad you got to go this round and get get your cup full of inspiration. I was sad. I'm not gonna lie to you. I was sad because I love going to those things, but I'm glad you got to go.
Katie (25:01.031)
Me too. I mean, like, I'm really sad you didn't get to go.
Katie (25:11.65)
Well, now I know why. I mean, seriously, it was it was really, really fun to be able to sit in that space, but it missed you. Like, I know you're going to have a good time getting back to it, but it was it was fun. I'm glad I got to go in. I had big shoes to fill. I hope I did right by you die. And then we got what we needed to out of market so we can share it with you all as far as the color matches and whatnot. Awesome. OK, how do you like the host chair die?
Di (25:30.415)
crushed it.
Di (25:36.378)
Yep, completely.
Thank you. my gosh. It's just so nice to be able to pick your brain and like just get a different perspective, right? Because I feel like sometimes it's like you go and you see some of those same things, but you're not really looking like it's just a different lens, right? And like your ability to see things differently and your experience with the coaching client is so good to hear that, you know, that that all worked out so swimmingly and that you've got to actually, like you said, see a face, a hug. Cause that's really what it's about. So.
Katie (25:48.75)
Mmm.
Katie (25:52.643)
Yeah.
Katie (26:03.662)
It was so fun.
Di (26:07.802)
I appreciate you for going and spending the time. mean, it's a lot. Travel wise, it's a lot. So yeah, thank you for for doing that.
Katie (26:08.099)
Yeah.
Hmm. It's a lot. Yeah, my toes say it's a lot. Yeah. No, so happy to do so. And I'm a hugger. So if you ever don't want to get a hug, you shouldn't come try to find me a market because I will hug you. Just saying I'm a hugger. So there's that. But yeah, it was super fun. So thank you for hosting. You did a fabulous job.
I hope this was helpful to everyone. We love bringing you market. We love doing this. And hopefully this will be relevant for those of you that didn't get to go. And for those of you that did, if you're taping your blisters too, just know we're in community together on that. And we're all here for you. Well said. All right. Thank you, Di. Bye, everybody.
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