Spring 2011 High Point Market Highlights

I can’t believe that it’s been 7 years since I’ve been wending my way to High Point NC for the Furniture Market….and my delight in being present there for my business there simply continues to grow.

Am thrilled to say that I, and many others that I talked to as well, had a wonderful Market….what great news that is to spread!

But High Point Market is so much more than a venue for buyers and sellers to converge and do business, and part of my growing delight has been in the programs that are offered and the insight I gain in the industry by attending such.

Only recently came aware of the fact that there is a pre Market kick off  Prayer Breakfast prefacing each Market.  The fact that Kathy Ireland was the guest speaker a couple of years ago was admittedly what had enticed me to attend the 7:00 am program, yes, ouch,  the first time.  This year I waffled on going but in the end did and was delighted and inspired by the key-note speaker’s presentation as put forth by Aminy Audi, president of Stickley Furniture….a struggling brand that she and her husband took over in 1976, and breathed new life into. She , as businesswoman, philanthropist, educator, mother and wife, was  the

package deal….real, warm, engaging, humorous, spiritual, enormously respected, and inspirational. Yes, glad I got myself out of bed for that early morning presentation.

The breakfast meeting that I won’t miss attending is that which is sponsored by WITHIT. This is a double win as not only is there always a great speaker, but it is a chance to give hugs all around, to my fellow WITHIT members, which I am sure to see there. Read WITHIT Market recap here.

This year, designer and author Thomas Jayne, was the guest speaker…engaging his audience fully as he highlighted various rooms in his recently published book, which were available for to purchase and be autographed following said presentation.

                                              Click image to go directly to Amazon to purchase your copy of “The Finest Rooms”

You can also count on IFDA sponsoring a luncheon/speaker that delights and commands a full house. This year it would be TV designer/personality  Ty Pennington who blew in and kept his audience , small compared to the millions he draws on during his Extreme Home Makeover’s, enthralled.

…and MUST include here a note regarding the most recent episode  of Extreme Home Makeover, I watched with my husband, where the  Carl Hall family of Wichita KS , had their life turned upside down when the husband/father of 4 was injured in a car accident a year ago, rendering him completly paralyzed from the shoulder’s down. Not upside right, but monumental strides made by the Extreme Team, coupled with that of a very supportive and loving community, was put in place to improve the lot of this family, and witnessing this all was touching to say the least.

Attending these events is a recent “icing on my cake” part of Market for me. The after hour events have always been a must do,at minium for food and drink to fuel on,  part of Market as well …the trick being deciding which of the many that are slated, to attend, as they are always a great venue to meet and greet…fellow exhibitors, past customers, those people that we count on to do all the behind the scenes work to “make” Market happen, as well as new people.

Aaron Cabeen of Cabeen Originals, falls into the latter catagory, being a young gentleman from Chatanooga TN, who I was introduced to by John Strauss, of John Strauss Furniture, who I initially “met” on Twitter, and have since fostered a friendship, and who now has a sampling of his product in the ZAAR Design Center!

This was a debut Market for Cabeen Originals and having a piece stage centre on the Market edition of Home Accents Today certainly added to his “entree” to High Point Market. How to go Aaron!

…and as I shared with Aaron,Antiques by Zaar enjoyed a HATcover as well, as shown here, in October 2006. Thank YOU HAT folks! 

NOTE: That little green console shown here was THE hot hot item for me this Spring 2011 Market…selling even the stock that has not yet arrived!

This is but a wide swoosh of all that transpired during this most recent “6 Days that Matter”….and now that I have shared this with my virtual world I can go on with the many, ok, too many, things that I have burning a fire under me, that are exciting developments for Antiques by Zaar.

Suffice it to say….the showroom looked great…. and those that visited enjoyed viewing not only my collection but also samplings from Fortunata, Touchwood, Bellascenda and Kat Burki, the feeling all about was up beat, and even with a wide range of temperatures outside, the pervasive tone was warm and enveloping.

Feel free to visit Market and ZAAR Design Center by checking out some photos here. AND, if you didn’t get to see us during Market, don’t sweat it, as we are open year round…9:00-5:00 the 2nd Wed of every month, or by appointment.

Thanks to ALL who are part of what makes the High Point Furniture Market a great event!

Ruth

 

Unity in Design: Dragonfly Designs Presents @ ZAAR!

 

Yes, it’s time for the Annual Unity in Design Event, click here to conveniently register online,  in High Point NC, and that means I’ll be wending my way there to participate as a member of the High Point Design Center, for the 3rd year in a row.I love how the collaborative efforts of the many Design Associations involved culminate  in making this the enjoyable and educational networking event the success it is each and every year.  And now with a Trade Show, 2nd annual,  a vital part of UNITY, it simply continues to grow in it’s impact to ALL…. 

Designers and vendors alike are given this wonderful opportunity to make themselves known to each other and the energy that is transmitted as relations grow is no less than inspiring.  It’s like a “Mini Market”, tailor made for those that find that they are able to attend….

This year I am particularly excited as I, on behalf of Antiques by Zaar/ZAAR Design Center, plan to host a luncheon/presentation @ our new showroom/warehouse, on the Thursday of UNITY.

Bobbie Cox of DragonFly Designs, and I, first “met” on LinkedIn. Not long following we would meet in “real” when introduced by a mutual friend, Davetta Moore, at an IFDA sponsored luncheon during High Point Furniture Market.

Our mutual enthusiasm for our online introduction being cemented by our physical introduction, served as a bond as we exchanged cards, offering synopsis’ of our respective businesses.

ZAAR Design Center, was but a “twinkle in my eye” when I met Bobbie as she enthusiastically shared with me the fact that in addition to working as a designer, that she also made herself available for speaking engagements.

Long story short, I am so pleased to share with my world that, following lunch, catered by our friends at EmeryWood Cafe, Bobbie will present to those that join us @ ZAAR…..focusing on the value of the relations we make for our clients, ourselves and our businesses.

It will be a Great Day….good food, good food for thought, exceptional shopping, all in the warm atmosphere, will work on warm “temps”, of the ZAAR Showroom @ 220 Feld Ave, High Point…less than 3 miles down South Main, from IHFC.

ZAAR Design Center is pleased to be the home for the following companies….

Bellascenda

Kat Burki

Touchwood UK

Vanderveer Imports

….and, of course, Antiques by Zaar

Should I have enticed you to join us, simply register to attend our luncheon at time of registration. Or if you want more details, contact me at ruth@antiquesbyzaar.com, or leave a comment on this blog, or call me @ 207 838 2675.

Look forward to hearing from you/seeing you!  Ruth

 

Barbara Jacobs Color and Design

 

 

 

 

Barbara has used this chinosiere armoire to house her TV et al.

“It’s too bad there are only 3 attributes we can select from when making a recommendation – I’d heartily select ALL for Ruth.  My experience with her started when I was looking for a coffee table for my home, many years ago…. January 2001 to be exact. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ruth professionally and also living with the beautiful and unique pieces I’ve purchased from her over the years. I’ve also had great reports from  clients to whom I have suggested see Ruth about furnishings. Quality, Style, Service – in a nutshell.” November 3, 2008

 

Just over a year ago I set up my LinkedIn profile and who would not only find me there, but also contribute the above unsolicited recommendation?! Thank you so much Barbara!

Chinese reed mat coffee tables "do the trick" here.

Am so pleased to have Barbara Jacobs not only as advocate for Antiques by Zaar, but also as a friend.  Our friendship started as we went about the business of selling/buying some Asian pieces for her home, which entailed her travelling north to visit our Maine warehouse and following, my husband and I travelling south to deliver a coffee table she decided on.  It was furthered as I “bit” and joined IFDA New England, where she happened to be membership chair at the time. Little did she know that by doing so she would end up with a house guest as I worked to  attend the Boston based events, trekking the 2 plus hours from my Maine home…to join events such as the bus trip to the Kips Bay Showhouse, networking dinners (where my donations to the silent auction were always a hit!)  and more.

So, here and now I would like to introduce you to Barbara’s business.  Well,  actually her two businesses.

Her passion for color is stage front for all she does and is and thus the name of her parent company, Barbara Jacobs Color and Design is most àpropos. She has sequayed this passion to a business where she applies said passion to the designing of a very special line of hand-knotted Tibetan carpets.

She has recently revamped her website, where you can visit to check out Barbara Jacobs Color and Design and her carpet business, Silk Road Weaves.

You can also sign up for her enewsletter, where, word is, she has offered a New Year discount  for a color consult AND paint!

And, now she is also doing a blog. Go Barbara!

We actually managed to get together for lunch last Fall, first time we’d seen each other in a blue moon. But in the interim we keep tabs on each other on LinkedIn, Facebook and through our online missives. Feel free to join her in reading my Newsletter.  Yes, we are yet another example of a business relationship that started online and the following friendship continues to be fostered online. What a great gift in this venue of doing business/making friends!

If you are looking for someone to guide you through some color revamping in your home, you needn’t look further than to Barbara Jacobs.

Become a Barbara Jacobs, and/or Antiques by Zaar Facebook fan! We both welcome you.

Ruth

No matter the purpose, a red chinosiere armoire offers punch.

P.S. Although the trend has moved from housing TVs in armoires, we do carry a selection of such, should that be of interest to you. Click here to visit our armoire section.

Beautiful wood grain on this scroll coffee table

…and with new inventory arriving next week we have added a fresh infusion to our coffee table section…that and so much more. Click here to check out our coffee tables and here to see all the new goodies.