Sep 18, 2019
1. INTRO
We recently attended our 2nd immersion event with Designers Today
Magazine and PBM Events – this time in Asheville, NC. We want to
share with you all about our experience because if you are a
designer at any level – right out of school or very seasoned – the
value is tremendous. If you aren’t a designer and are listening to
this episode, it will be interesting to you because we will talk
about all the knowledge we have as professional interior designers
and the crazy ways we learn about our trade!
2. DETAILS - DAY 2
The event was held August 19-21st for 3 wild and crazy days on the
infamous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. We literally did not
stop from 7:30 am to 9:30pm.
A. Day 1: The first big event was an Interior Design and
Historic Preservation Tour of the Biltmore Estate held by the
Biltmore’s Chief Curator. The restoration efforts underway at the
Biltmore are fascinating – everything from reviving the original
wallpaper and fabrics to restoring the grand rooms was in
depth.
B. Day 2: Factory tour of Lexington Brands
i. Fabric Resource Room and the beginning of (5) new outdoor
collections.
ii. Frames
iii. Leather and fabrics laser cut
C. Day 2: Factory tour of Vanguard Furniture
i. Demonstration of 8-way hand tied
ii. The step by step process a piece of furniture goes thru
iii. Make-Your-Own process
D. Hickory Furniture Mart
E. Evening at a Designer Home – our impressions
3. DETAILS – DAY 3
A. Historic Biltmore Garden Tour – our
impressions of the gardens, grounds and Conservatory.
B. Learning all about the choices made by
George Vanderbilt and acclaimed landscape architect Frederick Law
Olmsted and how their designs have endured for more than a
century.
C. Closing Keynote by James Farmer of James
Farmer Designs – our impressions.
4. REASONS WHY WE ATTENDED THIS EVENT
A. To cultivate professional relationships
with colleagues and manufacturers in an intimate and casual
environment.
B. To complete several hours of
high-quality and engaging CEU credits in a cost-effective and
painless manor.
C. To venture behind the scenes and
discover the stories behind the pieces you’re choosing for clients
and meet the people designing and making them.
D. To savor all that North Carolina
and the home furnishings industry has to offer while growing as a
professional designer.
5. OUR TOP TAKEAWAYS
A. The inside atmosphere and work
environment of a furniture factory – the long term tenure of the
employees, how hard it is, the care and craftsmanship of every
piece.
B. American made vs. import – quality over
all else
C. Inspiration is everywhere in our
industry – fashion, automotive, historic places like the Biltmore,
nature
D. We all have a story – like the
Vanderbilts or James Farmer… we all have a history that play out in
our interiors.