Why the best-designed homes aren't filled with ordinary things and what my latest trip to High Point Market taught me about creating spaces with personality, quality, and purpose.
Have you ever walked into a beautifully designed home and wondered, "Where on earth did they find THAT?"
Maybe it was a gorgeous, sculptural chair. An extraordinary antique cabinet. A chandelier that looked more like a piece of art.
Those are the kinds of discoveries that make my heart skip a beat! And they're exactly why I love attending High Point Market.
Twice a year, I make my way to High Point, North Carolina, for what is considered the world's largest home furnishings trade show. With approximately 2,000 exhibitors, 11.5 million square feet of showroom space, and 75,000 attendees each Market, it's an extraordinary destination for interior design professionals.
I've been attending for about six years, and believe me, I still haven't seen it all!
This fall, I returned with a mission: discover exceptional, well-made furnishings, explore healthier and more sustainable options, and uncover those special pieces that can make a client's home feel truly one of a kind.
And did I ever find some treasures!
The Secret to a Home That Doesn't Look Like Everyone Else's
Here's something many homeowners don't realize.
One of the biggest advantages of working with an interior designer isn't just our ability to select colors, arrange furniture, or pull a room together.
It's access to an incredible world of furnishings, artisans, and design resources that many homeowners would never discover on their own.
Through trade relationships, specialized showrooms, and events like High Point Market, designers can source distinctive furnishings and decorative pieces that aren't always readily available in traditional retail stores.
And for someone who wants a home that reflects their own personality, not the latest furniture showroom display, that's a tremendous advantage.
I especially enjoy discovering lesser-known manufacturers, beautifully crafted furniture, and unusual pieces with a story behind them.
Because great design isn't about making every home look the same.
It's about making every home feel uniquely yours.
Finding a Sofa That's Worth the Investment
One of my primary goals this fall was researching high-quality sofas and sectionals for my clients.
I spent time exploring collections from Natuzzi, Global Views, Theodore Alexander, Hancock & Moore, Hancock Modern, and Taylor King, among others.
And yes, there were some absolutely gorgeous pieces!
But when I'm evaluating furniture, I'm looking at far more than the fabric color or the shape of the arms.
I'm interested in how it's constructed, how comfortable it feels, how it will hold up over time, and what materials have been used.
A well-made sofa should be an investment you enjoy for years - not something you need to replace after a relatively short time.
From a sustainability standpoint, longevity matters. Choosing durable, repairable furnishings can help reduce unnecessary waste and repeated consumption.
And from a wellness perspective, it's important to consider the materials inside the furniture, too.
Depending on the product, upholstered furniture may contain foam, adhesives, finishes, and chemical treatments that deserve closer attention.
That's why I encourage homeowners to ask questions about product construction, material transparency, and available low-emission options.
Beautiful furniture should do more than look good. It should support the way you live - and ideally, last a very long time.
My Favorite Adventure: Three Extraordinary Antique Showrooms
Now, this was one of the highlights of my trip!
I signed up for an all-day tour organized by the Interior Design Society, which took us to three incredible antique showrooms featuring treasures from around the world.
And I absolutely LOVED it!
These weren't necessarily showrooms I would have found on my own. That's one of the reasons I enjoy organized design tours so much, they introduce me to places, people, and resources that might otherwise remain undiscovered.
Everywhere I looked, there were unusual furnishings, beautiful craftsmanship, fascinating textures, and pieces with a real sense of history.
Some were elegant. Some were quirky. Some were completely unexpected.
And that's what made them so wonderful!
Why antiques deserve a place in modern homes
You don't have to love traditional decorating to appreciate antiques.
In fact, some of the most interesting interiors combine contemporary furnishings with carefully chosen vintage or antique pieces.
An antique chest can add warmth to a modern bedroom. A carved wooden table can bring character to an otherwise minimalist living room. A vintage decorative object can become a conversation starter.
And because many of these pieces are one of a kind, they help create a home that feels collected over time rather than purchased all at once.
There's also an important sustainability benefit.
Choosing existing furnishings can extend the life of valuable materials, preserve craftsmanship, and reduce the demand for newly manufactured products.
Of course, older pieces should still be evaluated for condition, functionality, and potential hazards from older paints or finishes.
But when selected thoughtfully, antiques can be a wonderful addition to a beautiful, more sustainable home.
My favorite takeaway? Sometimes the most exciting thing you can bring into your home isn't new at all.
Lighting, Art, and the Little Details That Make a Big Difference
Another part of Market I always enjoy is exploring lighting and decorative accessories.
This fall, I visited showrooms including Regina Andrew, Arteriors, Currey & Co., Global Views, and Uttermost.
There were stunning lighting fixtures, unusual decorative objects, beautiful textures, and plenty of inspiration.
But here's something I remind clients:
You don't need more accessories. You need the right accessories.
One exceptional piece can often do more for a room than a collection of ordinary ones.
The same goes for lighting.
A beautiful fixture can serve as a focal point, but thoughtfully designed lighting also affects how comfortable and functional a room feels.
Layered lighting allows you to adapt a space to different activities and times of day. Warm, gentle evening lighting can create a relaxing atmosphere, while appropriate task lighting helps make everyday activities easier.
This is where aesthetics and wellness work beautifully together.
The goal is to create rooms that aren't just lovely to look at, but wonderful to live in.
An Unexpected Lesson in Mindfulness: The Art of Bonsai
One of my more unusual experiences at Market happened in the Currey & Co. lighting showroom.
While visiting, I had the opportunity to watch Brownlee Currey demonstrate the art of bonsai.
Only six trees were available for hands-on participation, so several of us gathered around to watch and listen.
It was fascinating!
Bonsai is an art form that requires patience, care, and attention to detail. Watching the demonstration reminded me of something that is increasingly important in our busy lives: making time to slow down.
It also ties beautifully into one of my favorite wellness design principles - biophilic design, or incorporating elements of nature into our built environments.
Research suggests that exposure to nature and natural elements can support psychological well-being and help reduce feelings of stress.
Bringing greenery indoors can help create a more welcoming and restorative atmosphere, although ordinary houseplants should not be considered a replacement for proper ventilation or indoor air filtration.
And the simple act of caring for a plant, particularly something as intentional as bonsai, can become a lovely daily ritual.
You don't need an elaborate indoor garden to embrace nature-inspired design.
Sometimes a small living plant, natural wood furnishings, organic textures, or a beautiful view of the outdoors can make a meaningful difference in how a room feels.
The Real Luxury? A Home That's Uniquely Yours
After several days of exploring showrooms, examining furnishings, meeting people, and discovering beautiful objects, I came home with a renewed appreciation for something I've believed for years.
The most beautiful homes aren't necessarily the ones with the most expensive furniture or the latest trends.
They're the homes where every choice feels intentional.
Where quality matters more than quantity.
Where unique pieces tell a story.
Where sustainable choices are considered.
And where the environment supports the comfort, health, and well-being of the people living there.
That's what makes a home feel truly luxurious to me.
It's also why I invest time in attending markets, learning about new materials, building relationships with manufacturers, and discovering unusual sources.
Because when I'm designing someone's home, I'm not simply selecting pretty things.
I'm helping them create a space that reflects who they are, supports how they live, and feels wonderful to come home to.
Ready for a Home That's Anything But Ordinary?
If you're furnishing a new home, refreshing an existing space, or planning a renovation, you don't have to settle for the same furnishings and decorating ideas you see everywhere else.
Imagine a home filled with thoughtfully chosen pieces, beautiful craftsmanship, healthier materials, and personal touches that make it unmistakably yours.
At Go Green Fine Interiors, we combine elevated interior design with sustainable sourcing and wellness-focused principles to create distinctive, beautiful homes that support the people living in them.
And with access to specialized manufacturers, unique furnishings, and carefully curated resources, we can help you discover possibilities you may never have considered.
Let's create a home you'll love for years to come.
Serving Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina in person, with virtual wellness-focused interior design services available nationwide.
Because you shouldn't have to choose between a beautiful home and a healthy one.
And you won't.
Judy Cossette
Principal Designer, Go Green Fine Interiors
