Day one at the AmericasMart summer Home Furnishings and Gift Market. I have come down to cover the market and share some of what happens with you.  Attending markets is an important part of being an interior designer. It allows you to be aware of the trends, what companies are offering what as well as networking and educational opportunities.  AmericasMart host two markets specifically for retailers and interior designers each year.

Joining me in The Lounge is a handful of successful and beautiful women.  How am I so lucky? My first guest is Sarah Mount the Executive Director of Marketing for AmericasMart.  She shares a little bit about what is new at market this time around and what you should expect.

Honeycutt Creed

Next in The Lounge is Lori Creed Raney who owns Honeycutt Creed.  Lori actually provided an amazing red chaise lounge for me to interview guests.  We connected through social media after I commented on a beautiful chaise that she and shared.  After a few back and forth emails, despite my disbelief, she offered to make one for me.  We talk about how she went from making curtains to custom furniture.  To learn more about Lori, you can visit her at Honeycuttcreed.com.

Imagine Home

Coming to market is stressful enough, can you imagine setting up a brand new showroom the week before?  Staci  Lantz of Imagine Home and her husband did just that. Staci just launched her new company in January, but she is all in, sourcing materials from several third world countries and supporting small batch artisans that make everything to the fabric to the lights.  After being a successful interior designer for years, Staci wanted to do more and help others.  Imagine Home is social minded furnishings manufacturer with a real story, and in this interview we share that story.

Huff Harrington Home

The final pair in The Lounge with me is Ann Huff and Meg Harrington, the creative force behind Huff Harrington Home and Art.  They are a designing duo that also have a retail shop in Atlanta and operate an online store.  They started with fine art, and grew their offerings to include furniture, decor, and design. On top of all that, they also organize and lead buying trips to Europe.  Count me in!  Meg and Ann were asked to create a vignette at the market to showcase the range that can be accomplished at market, and they created a beautiful European-inspired space.