Design Notes: Observations From the Fall 2023 Highpoint Design Market

Earlier this week, the C2 Paint design and marketing team had the exciting opportunity to immerse ourselves in the world of all things interior design at Highpoint Market in Highpoint, NC, the world's largest home furnishings show in the world! The experience was nothing short of a visual feast. Wandering through hundreds of showrooms (11,500,000 square feet, to be exact) adorned with exquisite rugs, furniture, fabrics, and textiles to accessories that made the heart flutter was truly a designer's paradise.

Beyond the sheer beauty of the pieces, Highpoint Market is always a fabulous place to reconnect. Amidst the labyrinth of design showrooms, we bumped into old friends, envisioned new projects, and made new connections. The design panels were an added treat, offering insights into the future of interior design, the importance of networking, and an expert glimpse into what we can expect in the upcoming months.

And of course…the shopping! Let's just say our luggage was a tad bit heavier on the return trip.

But what's an excursion to Highpoint without a rundown on design trends? Here are some of our top design notes:

Going for Gold (and Green)

One of the most popular and captivating color combinations displayed in both paint color and accessories was saffron yellow paired with deep, earthy greens. The color combination is both refreshing and elegant, providing a fresh, modern twist to classic tones. There were gold hued-accessories galore!

A New Spin on Tassels, Fringe, & Trim

This year, trims took center stage—ottomans, seating styles, and even lighting embraced tassels, fringes, and handcrafted trims. What stood out particularly was fringing in varying lengths, bringing in a touch of modern elegance and a lot of WOW. The lighting fixtures with suede fringing were particularly captivating.

Delightful Details

As we all know, great design lies in the details. We noticed a surge in vintage velvet trims and frayed edges, with some pieces even showcasing hand-sewn-looking blanket stitch detailing. This level of minute detailing elevated each piece, rendering a polished, finished appearance.

Vintage Velvet

The charm of vintage velvet is truly timeless. With its gentle, worn look, allowing the nap to shimmer in multiple directions, it's visually appealing, beautifully tactile, and incredibly user-friendly.

"Highpoint Market always showcases a culmination of colour, print, shape, and texture in a gamut of ways that are new and inspiring. What always stands out are the bold and the brave…the ones with the most curated and detailed presentations."- Philippa Radon 

Spring 2024's Paint Palette

Prepare for walls adorned in soft, warmer neutrals with hints of natural colors. Think gentle blues, serene greens, pretty purples, and blush hues that evoke tranquility and freshness.

Layering Prints

Much like fashion, thoughtful layering of color and pattern was front and center. Whether it's superimposing color on color or mixing patterns in similar and complementary color families, the result is an intricate tapestry of patterns and textures that add depth and intrigue to spaces.  

We’re already awaiting the next Highpoint adventure. Until then, let's celebrate the creativity in our homes and take risks to create spaces that are inspiring and uniquely ours!