There’s something about High Point Market that reminds us why we fell in love with design in the first place. Beyond the seemingly endless showrooms and beautiful collections, it’s the excitement of discovering something unexpected, seeing familiar materials in a new light, and experiencing the creativity that continues to move our industry forward.
For our team at Yates Desygn, Market is less about following trends and more about expanding our perspective. We’re drawn to the details that make a piece extraordinary, the craftsmanship behind it, and the possibilities it might offer for a future project.
This fall, we found plenty to inspire us, from richer palettes and sculptural furniture to meaningful conversations with the people shaping the design industry.
What Caught Our Eye
Richer, Moodier Interiors
Deep browns, burgundies, and saturated earth tones brought a welcome richness to the showrooms. Paired with dark woods and tactile upholstery, these palettes demonstrated how thoughtful layering can create depth and intimacy without feeling heavy.
Sculptural Forms and Art Deco Influences
Art Deco references appeared in curved silhouettes, geometric detailing, and dramatic proportions. We gravitated toward pieces that interpreted these influences with a contemporary restraint, particularly furniture that could serve as a sculptural focal point within a room.
The Staying Power of the Banquette
Banquettes were a standout, appearing in everything from dining areas to game rooms. Their tailored upholstery and curved configurations offered fresh inspiration for custom seating, something we frequently incorporate to maximize functionality and create more intimate gathering spaces.
A New Perspective on Outdoor Living
Outdoor collections continued to blur the distinction between interior and exterior furnishings. Refined silhouettes, innovative materials, and improved construction offered exciting possibilities for creating cohesive living environments that extend beyond the walls of a home.
Stripes, with Personality
From bold graphic upholstery to subtle tonal variations, stripes introduced an unexpected sense of playfulness. We especially appreciated their ability to add rhythm and character without overwhelming a room’s composition.
Beyond the Studio: Building Community in Design
A personal highlight of Market was seeing our own Mike Yates join Jen Stevens of Fonde Interiors for Beyond the Studio: Building Community in Design, moderated by DuVäl Reynolds at the Sherrill Furniture Brands showroom.
Mike and Jen discussed how they helped cultivate a network of Dallas designers built on collaboration rather than competition. Their conversation explored the value of having trusted colleagues with whom to exchange ideas, navigate business challenges, and share experiences unique to running a creative practice.
For our team, it was especially meaningful to see Mike speak about something that has helped shape Yates Desygn beyond our creative work. His participation reflected the importance we place on sharing knowledge and supporting the continued growth of our industry.
The afternoon concluded with cocktails and an opportunity to continue those conversations with fellow industry professionals.
Celebrating Our Design Colleagues
We were equally thrilled to attend a panel at the Monogram showroom featuring our friends and fellow designers Benjamin Johnston, Beth Dotolo, and Carolina Gentry.
Moderated by author Sophie Dow Donelson, the discussion celebrated the release of Refined Interiors by Benjamin Johnston and Fearless Design by Pulp Design Studios.
The conversation offered an engaging look at the creative ambition and entrepreneurial decisions behind their respective firms. Hearing how each designer has developed a recognizable perspective while navigating the realities of building a business was particularly interesting.
As a Dallas-based firm, we take pride in seeing fellow designers achieve milestones that bring attention to the extraordinary creative talent within our city. It was a pleasure to celebrate their accomplishments in person at High Point Market.
The People Behind the Design
Beyond the panels and showroom discoveries, one of my favorite parts of High Point Market is spending time with the vendors and industry partners who help bring our designs to life.
Our work relies on close collaboration with skilled craftspeople, manufacturers, and specialists. Market gives us an opportunity to learn directly from these partners, explore their latest collections, and better understand the possibilities they offer for our projects.
A heartfelt thank you to Vanguard, Monogram, Cambria, Eichholtz, the Design Leadership Network, Business of Home, and the many wonderful people and companies who welcomed us throughout Market. Your hospitality, expertise, and creativity made this trip especially memorable.
Bringing It All Home
We often return from High Point Market with photographs, samples, and a long list of pieces we cannot wait to explore further. But the real value comes when we begin translating those discoveries into our work.
While trends offer an interesting perspective on where the industry is heading, we believe the most compelling interiors are shaped by the people who inhabit them. New materials, unexpected silhouettes, and innovative furnishings simply give us more possibilities to explore.
For me, that’s what makes High Point Market so worthwhile. It’s a chance to step outside our daily routines, discover something unexpected, and return to the studio with ideas that might become part of a future project.
We came home inspired, energized, and eager to see where those ideas take us.
Until next Market!
