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The High Point furniture market revealed what’s coming soon to homes near you: mixed textures, game tables and the color green
by Cristina Bolling
The fall High Point Market wrapped up last week, bringing thousands of designers, retailers and style scouts to the Home Furnishings Capital of the World for a peek at what’s emerging in home design and the trends that will shape what you’ll soon see in stores and homes. It’s a whirlwind of color, texture and creativity — part trade show, part design wonderland.
Only those in the furniture industry can gain access to the showrooms, which makes the five-day market feel a little like an insider’s playground. (My mom is an interior designer, and I get to tag along for her annual fall trip to High Point.)
And if you keep your eyes open, there’s a good chance of spotting a design-world celebrity. One year, I chatted with HGTV’s Property Brothers and caught a glimpse of Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper”; this year, I tried to act nonchalant as Carson Kressley of early-2000s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” fame breezed past me in a furniture showroom.
Each showroom has its own unique vibe, but as you move through them, patterns start to emerge. Here are a few of the standout trends that caught our eye on a one-day trip through the showrooms of High Point.
🟩 Green is king: The last few years, furniture and textile designers have leaned into warm neutrals like caramels and creams in their showings at market, casting away the cold minimalist gray aesthetics that had dominated previously.
The warm tones were back this year, but with a fresh new friend — green.
Practically every showroom we visited found a way to incorporate the color into its vignettes: rich green tufted leather chairs, long lineups of ceramic table lamps ranging from mint to hunter, and area rugs that evoked the aesthetic of fresh grass.
🎲 Game time: I’ve been making an annual trek to High Point Market for more than a decade, and I’ve never seen game tables featured as prominently as I did this year.
Are furniture designers trying to pry us away from our mobile devices by suggesting that we sit across a table from one another and get back to old-fashioned fun? Or are they inspired by the meteoric rise of mahjong in America?
They had me convinced. I smiled every time I spotted one of the tables with its little drink slides pulled out. And we spotted lots of them, in materials ranging from whimsical painted wood to raffia-wrapped tables and ones with sophisticated curves.
🛋️ Mixed textures: Attending High Point Market is a tactile experience. No sofa is off-limits, recliners are meant for reclining and running hands across fabrics or testing the wobbly-ness of tables is encouraged. (After all, how can buyers order a product for their store or sell it to clients without thoroughly exploring it themselves?)
This year’s market was a feast for the fingertips, as designers mixed every medium imaginable: cold terra cotta and rich leather. Lush fur and smooth wood or chunky weaves.
Even classic pieces got a touch of contrast — think Chesterfield sofas trimmed in fur or smooth wood cabinets topped with polished marble. The emphasis wasn’t on matching finishes, but on creating rooms that feel dimensional and alive.
After a day at High Point Market, it’s clear that designers seem to agree: The best rooms this season are the ones that play, pop and show a little personality.
Cristina Bolling is the former managing editor of The Ledger. Reach her at [email protected].
Today’s supporting sponsor is Landon A. Dunn, attorney-at-law in Matthews:
Atrium’s surgical hub has trained 900+ doctors in 6 weeks; Take an inside look via our video (below)
The Ledger got an inside look last week at IRCAD North America, the new surgical training facility anchoring the research building at The Pearl, Atrium Health’s medical innovation district just outside uptown.
Since its September opening, IRCAD has already trained 932 surgeons from 14 countries, said Rasu Shrestha, chief innovation and commercialization officer at Advocate Health, Atrium’s parent company. That puts it on track to train roughly 8,000 health care providers in its first year, matching IRCAD’s flagship center in France and ahead of IRCAD sites in six other countries.
The facility is packed with high-tech features. Three large auditoriums stream live surgeries with simultaneous translation in seven languages, while two “surgical ballrooms” give surgeons hands-on experience at robotic operating stations.
Then there’s “Hugo” — a futuristic, four-armed robot that lets doctors perform complex surgeries from a video console. Already in use in Europe and awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it’s giving IRCAD surgeons an early glimpse of what could be the next big leap in minimally invasive surgery.
🎧 Take a look around in this Ledger-produced video:
IRCAD was always intended to be a “super magnet,” attracting biotech companies and medical innovation to The Pearl — and it’s delivering, Shrestha said.
The district, which also includes the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, has pulled in big names including Stryker, Medtronic and Siemens Healthineers.
And it’s already becoming a hub where research, training and innovation are coming together, Shrestha said. He highlighted a “stroke robot” that Siemons and Stryker are developing that would allow EMTs to begin treating stroke patients in the ambulance, before they even reach the hospital.
The spirit of collaboration even extends to the lobby, where a community coffee bar and open seating areas are designed to encourage “intentional collisions” between surgeons, investors, students and community members, Shrestha said. —Michelle Crouch
You Ask, We Answer: Does the Spectrum Center have a new clear bag policy?
Welcome back to You Ask, We Answer, The Charlotte Ledger feature where you ask the city’s head-scratchers, and we put on our reporter hats to find out what’s really going on.
Today’s question comes from Ledger reader Colleen Brannan, who had an unexpected experience at a concert in uptown:
“The Spectrum Center is dead serious about their new 5 × 7 bag policy I was unaware of. As a frequent concert- and sporting-event goer, I was turned away at Lainey Wilson last night with the same cross-body clear bag (8.5” x 10.5”) that I use all over Charlotte (including BofA Stadium, Skyla and PNC). It becomes a real problem for people who Uber because they have nowhere to stash it.”
She also noted that other venues allow larger clear bags and even items like blankets and water bottles, and she wondered when the Spectrum Center’s policy took effect and why.
We reached out to Spectrum Center for clarification. A spokesperson for the arena said the current bag policy went into effect in October 2024, when the arena reopened following the first phase of renovations. It applies to all bags — clear or not.
“Only small bags, clutches, crossbodies and wristlets — that do not exceed 5 in. × 7 in. × 1.5 in. — are permitted,” the spokesperson said. “Exceptions will be made for diaper and medical bags, including breast pumps. These bags will need to go through X-ray screening upon entry. All permitted bags are subject to visual or X-ray screening upon entry.”
For comparison, here’s how some other major Charlotte venues handle bags:
Bank of America Stadium: Transparent plastic/vinyl/PVC bags up to 12” × 6” × 12” are permitted. Non-clear purses, bags and clutches no larger than 4.5” × 6.5” are also allowed, and you can carry in blankets. Medically necessary items are permitted if inspected.
Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium: Clear bags up to 12” × 6” × 12” are allowed; non-clear bags up to 4.5” × 6.5” are permitted. Exceptions can be made for medical items.
PNC Music Pavilion: Clear bags are allowed up to 12” × 6” × 12”; non-clear bags are allowed up to 6” × 9”. You can also bring blankets 3’ x 5’ or smaller, empty water bottles or one factory-sealed water bottle, and food if it fits in a one-gallon Ziploc bag. Medical items can be exempted if inspected and approved.
However, policy can be altered: On Oct. 26, a temporary no-bag policy was enforced at Spectrum Center for an NBA YoungBoy concert. There wasn’t a clear explanation why, but WBTV reported that it could be related to videos circulating online of fights breaking out at many of the rapper’s shows.
It does appear, then, that the Spectrum Center’s bag policy is stricter than other Charlotte venues. So if you’re heading to a Hornets game or concert, pack light — or risk an unplanned trip back to the car. —Lindsey Banks
🗳️ Tomorrow is Election Day! Need to study up?
Visit The Election Hub for clear, unbiased information on every Mecklenburg County candidate (and those in three Gaston County cities), plus details on the transit and transportation referendum.
You’ll find short candidate bios and everything you need to cast an informed ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4 — all without pop-ups or auto-play videos.
Hundreds flocked to Friday’s opening of Indian Land’s new Costco, where the free samples were flowing
More than 500 people were in line on Friday at 8 a.m. for the opening of the new Costco on U.S. 521 in Indian Land, S.C., about 10 minutes south of the N.C. border. It’s the fourth Costco in the Charlotte region.
The Ledger was at the opening of the warehouse club and spied people stocking up on paper goods, clothes and more. About 15 minutes after it opened, an employee declared to the crowd that the store was out of Pokémon cards.
We also checked out the scene on Costco’s famous free samples and recorded the moment in the annals of history by posting the following video to Instagram, documenting the bountiful morning feast of beef sticks, salted caramel chocolates and pizza bites:
You might be interested in these Charlotte events: Women’s leadership breakfast, British politician, troll talk, economic development panel
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
WEDNESDAY: “Leadership Rising: Networking Breakfast,” 8-9:30 a.m., at Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Ave. Join Queens University of Charlotte for the inaugural Leadership Rising Breakfast, launching a year-long celebration of women’s leadership in conjunction with the Queens University Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year’s 40th anniversary. This special morning event will feature a fireside chat with Joan Zimmerman, Queens alumna and the first-ever Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year recipient (1986). $75.
THURSDAY: “Dinner and Discussion with Nigel Farage,” 6-9 p.m., at Quail Hollow Club, 3700 Gleneagles Road. British American Business Council Carolinas will bring together senior business leaders, investors and stakeholders who are involved with international trade, finance and economic development. This evening will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from Mr. Farage, leader of Reform UK, on international economic and political topics. $275 for members. $375 for non-members. $2,500 to host a table.
THURSDAY: “Artist Talk with Thomas Dambo,” 6 p.m., Sandra Levine Theater, Queens University of Charlotte, 2319 Wellesley Ave. In anticipation of his latest troll creation being installed in Charlotte, Thomas Dambo sheds whimsical insight into his life, career, and rise to becoming the world’s best-known recycle art activist through stories, images, and videos. $15.
NOVEMBER 20: “South Charlotte Partners Breakfast Club,” 8-9:30 a.m., at AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way. Join South Charlotte Partners for an expert panel discussion on its November SCP Breakfast Club topic “South Charlotte Region Economic Development Outlook.” The Ledger’s Tony Mecia will moderate the discussion with panelists sharing insights on the factors influencing regional growth, emerging business opportunities and the increasing importance of collaboration. $25 in advance. $35 at the door.
In brief:
Bipartisan support for new Charlotte police chief: Democrats and Republicans praised the appointment of Estella Patterson as Charlotte’s next police chief. They lauded her experience, integrity and ability to restore trust and morale within the department. (Observer)
CMPD investigates high school fight involving officer: A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer has been placed on administrative leave while CMPD and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools investigate an incident caught on video showing the officer body-slamming a student during a large fight at West Charlotte High School. (WFAE)
Christmastime layoffs in McAdenville: Just after Christmas, nearly 300 workers in McAdenville — the Gaston County town known for its holiday lights — will lose their jobs as flooring manufacturer Mannington Mills shuts down its plant and exits the residential carpet business. (Observer)
N.C. legislator resigns after sex-crime charges: N.C. Rep. Cecil Brockman, a Democrat from High Point, resigned from the state House on Friday after his arrest on sex-related charges involving a 15-year-old, following bipartisan calls for his departure and a legislative investigation into his conduct. (Associated Press)
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