Last week I got back from the fabulous June Dallas Market, where I now showcase my work year round in the permanent showroom Doris Sanders in the World Trade Center (#531). I can’t tell you how FANTASTIC it feels to not be hauling my pillows all over the country and instead being back home in this well-known gorgeous showroom that I was in years ago. I love attending the markets twice a year because I meet so many new people and learn so much. It also gives me the time in between to not only fill orders, but more importantly to be creative and design. That’s the space I’ve been missing not being in a showroom and with two teens still at home. We’re down to one teen now and life feels grand with both graduated from high school. I feel an empty nest coming on and it feels FANTASTIC! And my daughter is starting to help more with the family business so thats a special treat to work with her.

Our family trip to Italy is part of that “making time to be creative” where I plan to be get incredibly inspired!! So get ready because you are going to be reading alot about all the Italian fashion, design and incredible art, food, history, architecture, travel….you name it, I will be writing about it this fall. (Oh, and don’t forget about the Austin cottage bungalow remodel project coming up. It will definitely extend into 2016, but you’ll learn all the do’s and don’ts and meet fabulous luxury brands like Blanco and Mr. Steam. I can’t wait to tell you what we’ve got steaming up for this remodel!!)

Ok, I got side tracked again didn’t I…..let’s just blame the tiny screen on my phone. But I want you to remember all the exciting posts you can look forward to as soon as I get my new computer. And I WILL be Tweeting and Instagramming from Italy so please do follow along on my summer adventure.

Without further ado I present some fun photos from Dallas market. It is just not going to work out on my phone to give you all the deets, so I’ll fill you in on some highlights.

Highlight #1: One of my long-time special accounts, Peacock Alley, came to the showroom and it was wonderful to see old friend Brad Cleveland and hear all the exciting things going on for Peacock Alley including their one year new store in Atlanta. I missed Brad in January so this time we made an appointment. (Good thing to keep in mind if you’re trying to see a vendor at market, making appointments really helps). I’ve always loved working with Brad (and many of my other long-timers) because he understands and values the essence of my brand. He selects some of my most favorite new and vintage textiles when he commissions an order for his stores. I can’t wait to see which store gets which pillow this year!! This is how you know I’m an artisan studio and not a large manufacturer cause I still get goose bumps when buyers love my work. And Brad is one of those special buyers. Peacock Alley has carried the Deborah Main Designs line now for about 8 years and we are truly grateful for their support of our small business. And Brad brought some special friends with him, the gals from Front Porch Marketing, Katherine and Julie, whom we adore and so appreciate. Many thanks to you all for stopping by! And Brad, I so enjoyed getting a chance to catch up and show you my latest work. Loved digging through my suitcase so you could fall in love with the reverse side of a special vintage mint green textile I’ve collected. And what a perfect choice to scoop up the last two pillows made from this 1960’s wool gown for your clients. It’s one of my absolute favorite textiles that I wish I had a whole bolt of.

Okay, that was highlight number one kicking off market in high style fashion.

Highlight #2: I really got a chance this market to get to know some of the other vendors in the showroom and my new reps for Oklahoma, Houston and Dallas. Below is the delightful Tracy Palmer who does these wonderful handpainted wall hangings.

With Tracy’s soft spoken British accent and humor it was great fun to get to know her. Also, Dawn Wolfe of Down, Inc (funny story with that one that I’ll save for later) and new rep Kelly Russell from Oklahoma. And an even bigger treat was in store when I saw Maryann T. de Nunez from Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico walk in. Years ago when I was as green as could be in the home industry, her husband Bernardo would sit with me for hours explaining the ins and outs of business. It was such a highlight to see her beautiful smile again after all these years!

Highlight #3: I missed out on several important speakers like Libby Langdon, but I was able to skip out and catch an incredible slide show presentation by Patti Carpenter of Carpenter and comany and Philippe Basin of the famed Paris show Mason & Objet. What a royal treat that was set in the gorgeous Littman Brands lighting showroom!! (And are you in for a special treat next week when I show you fabulous photos from another private tour (I don’t know how I luck out on these private tours?? but they’re pretty awesome) with Brent Fields of Hudson Valley Lighting.)

Below is Patti and Philippe taking to a small group about Maison & Objet’s big show in Paris each year, but also the new American one they did in Miami. I’ve always dreamed of attending Maison & Objet so it was a real treat meeting Philippe.

And wow did I learn a ton about color and trends for 2016 and 2017 with Patti’s AMAZING slide show chock full of incredible images and detail. So much that right in the middle of it a creative light bulb went off in my head and I was inspired to create a brand new collection for 2016!! It always amazes me how you can think and think and nothing comes to you as an artist and then bam, inspiration strikes. Thank you Patti for your creative and insightful color trend presentation that sparked that creative idea in me. And for taking the time to stop by the showroom to see my designs!

I also got to see the delightful leader of ARTS awards, Sharon Davis, (below on right with Patti and Philippe).

Sharon then told me about another cocktail party which led to

Higlight #4: Being featured in the brand new American Made magazine was a wonderful highlight, especially being a 2014 Martha Stewart American Made Awards Finalist. I was fortunate to meet in person the delightful staff responsible for the American Made/ Sold in Dallas wonderful booklet with the magazine Gifts and Decorative Accessories. Here’s Leah Paskin, below, the west coast sales manager who gave me valuable tips on following up with leads from our mag ad. (Love her Liza Minelli haircut too which, believe it or not, I once sported one when I was 20 and a waitress in Boston).

Hard to see, but Deborah Main Design luxury pillows are on the right page above the wellness mats and below the pots and pans. This is a great little magazine featuring all products Made in America and Sold in Dallas. We received many leads from this small ad. And I am also happy to report that I am a proud member of “American Made Matters” and that Dallas has chosen to lead the way by featuring artisans like myself who specialize in creating products exclusively handcrafted in the USA.

Higlight #5: I was incredibly thrilled to hear that Dallas Market wanted to display one of Deborah Main pillows, but I hardly expected it to be front and center to welcome every one to the World Trade Center. So I was tickled fuschia hot pink to see it so beautifully displayed against this black and white striped chair and God of Healing right beside it. Quite thrilling and honored. Many thanks to Dallas Market Center.

And last but not least, I now always have the pleasure of seeing my friend Laura Van Zeyl in Dallas with her staff from Home Fashion Forecast, to me one of THE best trend publications around. I missed the Rising Star awards, but not Laura and her talented colleagues. It’s all Laura’s fault that I am now so obsessed with lighting!!!.

All women coincidentally wore the same style necklace. Not joking here….too funny in this adorable pic below!!

As always The Total Home & Gift Market was a show to rememeber. By now most designers and wholesale buyers are in the throws of the Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market (which I did in 2013). But I am totally satisfied with being back closer to home in Dallas and being able to showcase my work year round (on the fabulous display fireplace and cases designed by none other than my #DesignLUX Twitter pal Brandon Smith of D Coop Media.). Now I’d bee thrilled if maybe just one day I might get to meet him #IRL (aka In Real Life).

That about some up the wonderful Dallas market and my highlights. I’m inspired to create more unique pillow designs, collaborate with luxury home brands for our Austin remodel project, and head to Italy with my family for vacation and even more inspiration.

Please enjoy a few more market photos and watch for my private tour lighting feature next week on Texture Tuesday. (A sneak peek of just one of the gorgeous crystal chandeliers) Till then, wishing you fun, fun times this summer and watch for my guest post on Peacock Alley’s blog coming up soon. XO PG