High Point Market: Pearson

For those of you who follow me on facebook, you already know I was in High Point Market, North Carolina a couple of weeks ago. This was my first trip to High Point Market, and honestly, even after doing my homework, I still was blown away by the sheer size of this Trade Show! After reading various blogs about how much walking is involved in coming to the largest Furniture Trade Show in the world  , (I did pack more than one pair of comfortable walking shoes!), I still had no idea of the magnitude(11 million sq. ft. of showroom space, 2000+ exhibitors!) not only of the number of showrooms (180!), but also of the amazing amount of coordination of transportation, food preparation, education seminars, etc. that was involved. It is truly a gargantuan undertaking that takes place twice a year where the local population increases from 6,000 to over 75,000 seemingly overnight. 

High Point is smack in the middle of North Carolina. We flew into Greensboro, about a half hour outside of High Point via Chicago (a whole other story!), which took most of a Saturday (my day began at about 3:00 am....). We decided to go directly to High Point from the airport, check the luggage and start hoofing it to the showrooms straight away. I have sooooo much to share with you, including lots of photos from the Showcase House at the Adamsleigh Estate sponsored by Traditional Home Magazine. (Miles Redd designed the Living Room, so stay tuned!)

So, without making you wait another minute, on with the show!

First up is the Pearson Showroom. Pearson is a wonderful upholstery manufacturer and also produces great occasional furniture pieces. I had the privilege of touring the Showroom with Jennifer McConnell, Vice President of Design, and Anne Martin in PR and sales out of San Francisco. Jennifer was a fabulous wealth of information. She, herself, is responsible for all of the fabric selections, furniture designs and the design of the High Point Showroom. Thinking of it all strikes awe in to my heart. She is one lady with energy to spare!

As we entered the Showroom for our appointment, the first thing we saw turned out to be one of my favorite areas of the Showroom. Jennifer had selected this fantastic Asian inspired cloud/sky fabric in shades of blue for ottomans and pillows. Knocked my socks off! Paired with a beautiful linen print of a foo dog in indigo and orangey red on pillows and chairs, blue velvet sofas and a navy diamond patterned fabric on a pair of slipper chairs....loved it!

There was so much to see, I cannot remember what we saw next. I am just going to show you all of the things that caught my eye. Jennifer has a great talent for putting things together, and I sort of made a little gasp when I saw this vignette....

I have a thing for navy and indigo, so I was particularly smitten with the arm chair with this over scaled navy and ivory chevron pattern. I liked the combination of chair with the pale wood dresser and the Moroccan mirror with just a cop,e of accessories to set it off.

Next up, a room with what I think might be my favorite occasional table of the entire trip....

This space was decorated in black, fuchsia and white, and was so much fun! These brand new black and white Bunching Tables were so great. They added such a large dose of punch to the space. From a distance, one might assume these little gems were painted in stripes....but NO! The tables are actually veneered with Black Agate Stone and White Wax stone. Just an example of the quality Pearson adheres to! Loved the black and white chair and the fuchsia floral linen print on the chair in the back....great combination of things!

Another occasional table I liked was this Drinks Table. It is wrapped in a grey Italian Leather embossed with a Python pattern. Click on over HERE to see the entire table with its perfect little feet. I also thought the bench upholstered in the cut velvet was a very smart piece that could be used in a hall, or at a dining table. I do love multifunctional pieces of furniture.

So...many of the spaces were just full of great upholstery pieces....and since this is what Pearson is known for...one would expect no less. This space had such a great star shaped ottoman and the curved sofa was beautiful! Don't you love the persimmon velvet on the sofa?

Another space had these very cute hoofed stools (new this season) and another cool bunching table. I also thought the daybed was classic and very cool.

There were just a lot of fresh and pretty vignettes.....

Jennifer has a way with collecting antiques and accessories to compliment her Showroom!....

Loved these benches. I first thought the base was metal, but it is wood and available in any of Pearson's wood finishes. Sleek and sophisticated!

Here is a better look at that botanical fuchsia linen print! Love it.....and green velvet gets me every time.....

Another pretty vignette...and LOVE the sofa! Sort of a wing back style....

The bedroom vignette had pale lavender walls with this berry red printed linen....such a great and unexpected combination!....

This fresh take on a flame stitch pattern in bright white and navy was one of my favorite fabrics at High Point....

There was lots of navy, as I mentioned, so i was in a little bit of Indigo Heaven. I especially liked the combination of the wall color, a particularly nice shade of updated teal, with all of the navy .....

Cutest little bench with that pretty printed linen again, this time in blue and orange....

Pearson has a myriad of furniture finishes and over 1500 fabrics to choose from (as well as allowing for a customer's own fabric), as well as custom capabilities to truly create one-of-a-kind pieces. 

I am looking forward to working with Pearson to produce beautiful creations for my clients!

Many thanks to Jennifer McConnell and Anne Martin for such a wonderful introduction to the new Spring additions to the Pearson family of furniture!

Stay tuned for lots more about High Point Market 2013!!!