10 Oct The Women of Highpoint – Pillow Goddess Pre-Market Picks!

You know, sometimes you just have to say it.  I think the world would be a lot better off with women running the show.  Now, mind you, that is solely my opinion, but I also know first hand that there are some AMAZING women interior and product designers out there in the home design world.  So let’s start there, shall we?

Two of the top women product designers in the U.S. home furniture industry today are Robin Baron of Robin Baron and Tina Nicole of Nathan Anthony. They both happen to be launching incredible new furniture pieces at the upcoming fall Highpoint Market October 13 – 17th, starting this weekend, in Highpoint, North Carolina.

When it comes to the launch of a new product for any design business, Highpoint is THE place to be.  It is THE largest home furnishings show in the world with two markets a year, in April and October. Known as “Fashion Week for Home Furnishings” this twice a year event attracts more than 75,000 attendees a year with over 11.5 million square feet of show space.

Let me share a little bit about these talented women, their businesses, and the beautiful new pieces they’re launching at Highpoint Market.

I’ve known both Tina and Robin for several years now.  In 2017, I finally had the chance to meet Robin in person (#irl) when she opened a showroom in the new Interior Home + Design Center in Dallas.  Being a New Yorker myself, we immediately hit it off. Dallas is the one market I frequent each year, so it was really exciting to see Robin and her furniture line, a mix of vintage and new, in person. She and I have a great love for color, texture and vintage! You can read about Robin’s Dallas launch on the blog HERE.

Tina and I share a passion for products Made in the USA.  Tina’s company, Nathan Anthony Furniture, based out of California, makes all their products in America. When Tina is not working, she is traveling with her family gaining much of her inspiration from around the world. What is unique about Tina’s award-winning designs is that she’s never afraid to create something that no one has ever done. Much of Nathan Anthony’s furniture closely parallels the craftsmanship of dress-making details, like ruching for example.

Now onto brief introductions so you can see the inspiring pieces they’ll be showing at Highpoint Market and attend one – if not all – of their events.

About Nathan Anthony:

Founded in 2005, Nathan Anthony (www.nafurniture.com) produces award-winning contemporary furnishings at its own factory in Los Angeles. Lead designer Tina Nicole made the World’s Leading Design Names list 2018, and has been recognized for design excellence with five consecutive International Product Design awards in 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 by design et al’s International Architecture and Design competition in the U.K. She has also been recognized as a Best of Year 2017 Honoree by Interior Design, and by the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) with 2016 and 2012 Pinnacle Award nominations.

About Robin Baron: 

Robin Baron (www.robinbarondesign.com), celebrity interior designer, lifestyle expert, and luxury home furnishings designer, brings a striking sense of style to everything she does. With passion and expertise in all things décor and lifestyle, Robin thrives on creating unique and fabulous furnishings and interiors, while maintaining active involvement in the design community. Robin’s clientele includes many celebrities and heads of major corporations. Robin has significant experience on TV, video and radio, and her work has been featured in many print and online publications. Robin enjoys providing lifestyle and design tips through her award-winning blog “Simplifying Fabulous!” and her multi-platform social media presence.

Nathan Anthony Debuts New Branding in Colorful New Showroom!

The biggest news for award-winning designer, Tina Nicole, co-owner and lead designer of the Nathan Anthony luxury brand, is that they’re debuting NEW branding and hand-crafted, custom upholstery styles in a NEW high-visibility showroom at Highpoint this fall.

NOTE: Nathan Anthony has moved from its longtime showroom on the 5th aisle of InterHall to space IGH-102, a “prime spot” located across from the popular 1618 Bistro.

Known as a resource for art-inspired upholstery styles, the NEW Nathan Anthony showroom features fresh branding elements, including an updated logo and the introduction of its new trademark abbreviated term associate with its products, “Uphlstry Art”.

The new showroom is further enhanced by a series of creative wall murals and decorative display columns touting the company’s heritage as a “Made in the USA” and family-owned company.

A spotlight display on risers (shown below) will feature an assortment of Nathan Anthony’s many award-winning chair designs, including the Aerie chair, which just received the International Design & Architecture Award 2018 in the seating category – the company’s fifth win in the annual global competition.

High Point Market gives us a chance to push the brand messages that help to set us apart in the upholstery category. Our customers love that we offer a unique point-of-view along with an unmatched level of craftsmanship. – Tina Nicole

Five New Pieces Debut at Nathan Anthony’s NEW showroom:

Nathan Anthony
IHFC IH102
InterHall

Sistine Daybed

The Sistine daybed features a wing-shape frame accentuated by welted arabesque shapes and tailored buttons. A scalloped wood plinth available in 9 finishes provides a decorative support to this romantic silhouette.

Martini Accent Chair

Sporting a shapely, highly tailored design, the Martini chair  – a simple yet dramatic new chair designed for dining or accent use – features sharply angled arms, low back and trim legs that add a touch of drama and comfort.

Elan Series Expansion

Inspired by the 20^th-century Dutch artistic movement “De Stijl,” the Elan collection features a geometric tile design constructed of alder wood with fabric insets. The new Elan upholstered bed is now offered with two side panel headboards and nightstand-like cabinet drawers stained in a rich tobacco haze finish. The Elan bed was a 2016 Pinnacle Award nominee.

Destino Lounge

The Desitino sofa, an updated take on the wildly popular Cielo model designed for easy socializing, floats on an upholstered plinth base and features a series of movable, “floating” back cushions (or bolsters) that may be rearranged in a 360-degree pattern to fit any configuration of sitters.

Romeo Sofa

Building on the success of the Rocco sectional, the Romeo Sofa is a clean-lined, two-over-two seat sofa with generous, angled arms, back cylinder pillows and a stylish wood base with contrasting metal corner accents.

And I’d be remiss in not mentioning two all-time favorites of mine, the Minx wing sofa (in black and white plaid no less!) and the 2017 award-winning Dali chair in lemon.

Robin Baron Debuts Stained Woods and Brand New Styles!

Robin Baron is known for wearing large bold jewelry, and her furniture’s striking hardware is equally well known. Like “Jewelry for her furniture” it is big and bold, as are some of her color choices, like this citrine gold Chloe Console below.

Below are all of Robin’s bold hardware selections, which I must say are absolutely amazing in person! Like Robin herself, her unique hardware accents her furniture like jewelry does in fashion, as you will see each design stand out on the five NEW pieces Robin will be debuting at Highpoint.  Robin Baron hardware – available in both polished nickel and satin brass – can be purchased on its own, and also comes standard on her case goods.

The Chloe Credenza with Stained Perfect Walnut Finish

Robin Baron Design
Suites At Market Square G-6033
Salon

The Chloe Credenza is shown here in a new stained “Perfect Walnut” finish with Robin Baron Looped Large hardware. All case goods are now available in a variety of wood stains, painted finishes, hardware, and can also be customized to any size.

I’m excited to be launching our new “Philippe” collection of Case Goods (at the fall Highpoint Market) featuring our “Burst” hardware. I always say that ‘Great Design is in the Details,’ and the Philippe collection (below), much like the rest of our case goods collection, is detailed in a subtle, yet sophisticated way. – Robin Baron

Talking about details, we are also debuting fine new finishes including stained walnut, cerused oak, and a chic new satin painted finish. We also have the capabilities of doing custom colors. Be sure to come by our showroom to see the fabulous new finishes for yourself! – Robin Baron

The Simon Credenza below is a great example of the two-tone capabilities that Robin Baron now has to offer. The top and bottom of this credenza is stained in “Perfect Walnut” and the body is finished in a painted “Slate Grey” finish.

And this rich dark walnut is to die for!  Looks like dark chocolate accented with Robin’s signature bold hardware! And you gotta love those sexy gold sabots!

Here are two of the fabulous new finishes now available from Robin Baron.

Now onto the exciting events for both Tina Nicole and Robin Baron at Highpoint Market. I’ve got your schedule all laid out for you, so start taking notes please!

Saturday, October 13th, 9 – 10 a.m.: Kick off your Highpoint (#hpmkt) experience with Robin Baron, and others, on the wonderful “Morning Show with Nick May” below on October 13th.

Sunday, October 14th, 11 – 1 p.m.: Then gear up for a FULL day of events on Sunday, October 14th! Both these fabulous women know how to enjoy life and celebrate their hard work with Sunday Mimosas.

Sunday, October 14th, 1:30 – 3:30: In between all those mimosas you must catch the “Designing Women of the World” discussion panel with Tina Nicole, and others, moderated by the wonderful Deb Barrett. Deb Barrett, a veteran of the design world (with her other half Jackie Von Tobel), is well-known in the soft-goods industry with their educational Soft Design Lab Podcast. This panel and reception looks like one of those not-to-be-missed events!

I don’t know how everyone does it, because there are SO many incredible events to attend at Highpoint, but be sure to mark these on your calendars as not to miss Robin Baron and Tina Nicole. (An added bonus to both of these events is The Antiques Diva, Ms. Toma Clark Haines).

Sunday, October 14th, 4 – 6 p.m.: Be sure to wrap up your Sunday with more mimosas by seeing Nathan Anthony’s brand NEW showroom! (IHFC IH102
InterHall)

Monday, October 15, 4 -5 p.m.: And last, but not least, Vice President of Robin Baron Design, Yudi Kaufman, talks about “The Power of the Rug”.

I admire both Tina Nicole and Robin Baron greatly!  If you are a young designer just starting out and want to one day own your own design firm and/or furniture business, Robin and Tina are two to watch. They are role models for hundreds of designers, me included. The reason I adore these women is that they do not create ho-hum furniture that you see everywhere.

Each designer stands out in the field by creating unique furniture that you only can find with their brand.  They dare to be different, use bold colors,  and detailed craftsmanship in a furniture world that, frankly, is much of the same. 

It takes a lot of ingenuity and fortitude to create YOUR pieces, what speaks to your heart, and resonates with your design aesthetic and that of your clientele. Take it from me, it is not easy being the owner of one-of-a-kind or limited edition products. But Robin Baron and Tina Nicole have stepped outside the box and their work speaks for itself  – it truly shines with originality!

Please follow along on at Highpoint market on Instagram at @_robinbaron and @nathananthony_official and @deborahmaindesigns

Till next time, after you’ve recovered from all the exciting new furniture debuts at Highpoint Market, we’ll dive into different inspiring design with the 2018 DXV Design Panel. XO PG

Note: This blog post is sponsored by Robin Baron and Nathan Anthony.  All images, facts, and quotes are provided by them; opinions are my own.