24 Jan Deborah Main Strikes Gold with 2014 Trends at Dallas Market

The talented designers and bloggers of #SneakPeek2014 at #DallasMarket. Wonderful tote bags courtesy of Surya Showroom.

Last weekend I had the time of my life in Dallas: Deborah Main Designs, (aka The Pillow Goddess) attended my very first blogger event: Sneak Peek 2014!

But before we get to that I want to complain (just for a minute) about winter. I know…..what do I have to complain about when half the country is in the single digits!?!?!  Seriously now!!!  But I am a “creative”, and like a bear, I need to hibernate for awhile (which actually works out pretty well with the weather this season).  And when the new year approaches, I need time to regroup, to take stock of the previous year, and do nothing but rest, read, learn, think, get my groove on for the new year, etc.  (Ya know what I mean? And sometimes the holidays is just not enough time for me). Most importantly, I need to give myself enough time and space so that my creativity can once again flourish – with freshness in spirit and mind – in the new year.  (Lofty goal I know, but one I always strive for).

This is a big part of how I function as an artist. My worst fear at the start of a new year is always that I’ll wake up one day and never be able to design another pillow again…or that I’ll run out of ideas. (I know, ridiculous, right? ) But I do need to be inspired and giving myself time to do that is essential for me!

Which brings us to the fantastic event I went to last weekend, #SneakPeek2014. ( I highly recommend it for any design or lifestyle blogger, even if your new to the industry). While I like my quiet time (and I have to constantly remind myself that it’s OKAY to take that time!), I also like to jump-start the new year with something exciting and different.

So last week, I literally jumped into 2014 as a blogger and attended the #SneakPeak at Dallas Market.

Elle Cole Elle’s Notebook @ElleColesmu	Kelley Copeland The Hidden List @thehiddenlist	Denise McGaha Denise McGaha Interiors @DeniseMcGaha
Hilary Walker Our Style Stories @HilaryRWalker	Leslie Wood Hadley Court @Hadley_Court	Shay Geyer IBB Design @designershay

What an honor to be part of a group of 15 amazing women, 6 whom were the ring leaders (see above list and links). Leslie Carothers, of Kaleidoscope Partnership, was filling in for Leslie Wood of Hadley Court, who could not attend due to family obligations. Good thing too because Leslie was the ONLY person I knew!  But everyone was so nice and welcoming, it didn’t take long to make new friends. And the event, #SneakPeek2014, benefited nonprofit Dwell with Dignity (more on that later.)

I never thought that getting out of one’s comfort zone could be THAT fun!!  I had a blast! It’s like taking your design business and social media to a whole new level and I LOVED every minute of it!!

Leslie Carothers of Messages of Hope here with the delightful Shelly Rosenberg of LURA Studio.  

Our gracious hosts, Christ Hite and Lauren Venegas, of Dallas Market Center, did such a great job ushering us through a busy day. We saw multiple showrooms, heard Thomas O’ Brien of Aero Studios speak (more on that fantastic talk in a future post!), and were whisked off for a private lunch to hear Lisa Robison and Kim Turner, founders of Dwell with Dignity.  We had plenty of time to explore, take photos, share stories, get to know each other, and then capped it all off with cocktails at an ART social in preparation for the big #ARTS Awards (the Oscars for the home industry). The day was fabulous and the women inspiring!!

Deborah Main with our tour guide, the masterful Chris Hite of Dallas Market Center.

It seems that congratulations are in order for one of our #SneakPeek designers, Shay Geyer of IBB Design Fine Furnishings. I met her for the first time at this event and she was delightful!  Her store, located in Frisco, Texas and started almost 30 years ago by her mother, just won BEST RETAIL FURNITURE STORE IN AMERICA.  How exciting!! Congratulations Shay!! (Click here for full story on the awards)

My first #SneakPeek at Dallas Market Center was most definitely inspiring!  I so enjoyed meeting, and learning from, such an esteemed group of talented women, some whom have been designing and blogging for years. I look forward to continued friendships! (For a complete list of who attended, please see bottom of post).

During the next few weeks, my goal is to write shorter posts (ha, we’ll see if that’s ever possible!) and I will feature several of the design elements, people, conversation, and showrooms that inspired me the most at my first #SneakPeek.

So here’s your first peek from Deborah Main Designs for what’s hot in 2014! This is a new gig for me (checking out design as a blogger) so please enjoy the photos and my fresh, naive take on design in the home furnishings industry.  Please sign up for our blog so you can see all the rest of the goodies in future posts.  And be sure to check out the blogs of the expert host committee above. Till next time, stay warm!  XO PG

Note: Photos and opinions my own, except headshots of interior designer are used with permission from respective designers.

Gold might just be the new black –  as I saw it everywhere at Dallas Market Center!

Golden crystal chandelier front and center at Aidan Gray showroom, 2014.  Villandry Grand Chandelier , (L44CHAN).  It’s made with hand-tied coppper, antique crystals, and wax candle sleeves.  Just gorgeous!!

NEW! Wonderful gold and copper-finish geometric wall sconces by Aidan Gray. Love the shadows they make on the wall! 2014.

#PGFAVE! These gold candle holders, by Rojo 16, were just stunning in person! Love the cascading design of the gold chains and crystals. Like fine jewelry…pure luxury! Available at the Doris Sanders showroom.

Rojo 16, home decor and accessories, is a new line that Doris Sanders is carrying.  Lloved everything about this line and gold accents were prominent. (I apologize for blurry photo).

These candlebras, by Rojo 16,  with cascading gold chains and pearls are absolute luxury!  Imagine them on your dining table!! Available at Doris Sanders showroom.

Lunares owner Sunena Balain was kind enough to let me take her photo.  Family-owned, their company produces lifestyle products that are exquisite.  Each are made by hand in their factory in India.  I really could appreciate the quality and effort that goes into making these beautiful pieces for your home!

#PGFAVE. This new “rose gold” collection by Lunares was very striking.  So warm and rich in color, surely beautiful pieces to entertain with in your home.