High Point is a pretty amazing place this time of year. In addition to the spring blooms mother nature brings our way, the city (literally) comes to life with our market friends. Downtown is buzzing with activity from delivery trucks to furniture manufacturers, designers, day workers and the like; we are all here to create displays that keep today’s buyers coming back to High Point for more.
This spring, I believe we all feel a sense of renewed energy and excitement. The Triad Business Journal just posted an article that says this market “is shaping up to be one of the best markets in years”. Good, we need it. (By the way, that article features one photo and it happens to be a showroom we designed with Nourisson!)
As designers in High Point, it goes without saying that we work on showroom interiors. Our clients vary greatly as well as the products and we love each and every one of them. Additionally, we are BUYERS. That’s right, we get out there after weeks of set-up and late nights and walk those streets just like everyone else. The difference for us is we know this city like the back of our hand – and with that comes some perks, some of which I thought I would share. When we go to “other” trade-shows such as Atlanta, Chicago or Vegas (this year we plan to add NYC to the list) I am concerned about several things: finding great new resources, how to make the most efficient use of my time and let’s be serious: parking and food!
Lets start with the details first: Parking and Food. Honestly, neither has been all that great in the past but HP has made HUGE progress in both areas.
Parking: As a buyer, you are able to park in the IMC Buyers lots located on Commerce and Green. Be prepared, they will expect to see your buyers pass before you can enter and get there early, those lots fill up fast. There are also several parking garages downtown: one on Commerce between Elm and Main, one on Main Street between High Ave and Commerce, and one on Broad between Wrenn and Hamilton. Again, show up early as they fill up fast. Another option is parking at your favorite showroom (assuming they know they are your favorite)! Many exhibitors have their own lot and will even shuttle you to wherever you like to go and even pick you up! Be sure to make arrangements in advance. You can also do something called Park & Ride, which I highly recommend if you are not an early riser. These lots are located at the Oak Hollow Mall (there are electronic billboards directing you to the right location) and South Market Center Drive (this one is slightly closer to downtown but not as convenient to Greensboro). As a last ditch you can pay to park in a variety of lots located in the heart of downtown. For those of you that this irritates (I see this everywhere I go so HP isn’t the only city that charges to park) MANY of these lots are “donated” to local charities and the parking fee goes to raise money for that charity – if that makes you feel any better.
Food: As much as I would like to fix a home-cooked meal for each and every one of you, I’ll be at market shopping. Luckily, the options to continue shopping AND eat have greatly improved over the last few years! Many showrooms now provide some sort of lunch ranging from light finger foods to a full-course spread. The buildings themselves also now provide cafe and restaurant-like options. Each building will identify where those spots are. I am happy to report there is (finally) a Starbucks located in Market Square! And just spied this week: a food truck on the corner of Elm and Commerce just outside of Market Square Suites entrance. Inside the downtown shopping area (and in walking distance) there are several restaurants including Jimmy’s Pizza on Main Street, Penny Path (new) on Kivett, Oscars Burgers on Wrenn Street, and Elm Street Cafe (obviously, on Elm). Just a bit further north you can find some local favorites including Sumela, Blue Zucchini, Blue Rock Pizza, Emerywood Fine Foods, Granny’s Doughnuts, and for a fine dining option, High Point Country Club (a private club that – true to southern hospitality – opens its doors to market visitors twice a year). For dinner there are a variety of really great local eateries in the Piedmont Triad Area. Some of my favorites include: [Greensboro] Josephines, 1618 Grill, Southern Lights, The Iron Hen, Liberty Oak, The Filling Station, Bravo, Green Valley Grill and Printworks Bistro. [Kernersville] Bistro B. [Winston Salem] Mozingos, Sweet Potatos, West End Cafe, 6th & Vine, Milner’s, and O’So Eats..
The next question is how to make the most of your time? One market I had a group from ORVIS come in town to shop with me. At the end of the day, one of the executives said “it would have taken us days to cover the amount of territory you have covered in hours, thank you”. As nice as this comment was, it was my responsibility to make it simple for them so I was happy to know I had done my job. Even though I am local, you too can shop like one – it just takes planning. I typically shop 3-4 days, more than many visitors I know. In other cities we keep it to two so we have to be efficient. Let me say this clearly: PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Review things like the Market Preview, the Planning Guide, and talk to your reps. Once you know where you want to go divide it out according to it’s location. I typically reserve one entire day to see the large IMC building at the bus terminal and Showplace. The second day includes one of my favorite buildings, Market Square (home to our office), the C&D building, 220 Elm, and the some of the showrooms located within and around this city block. The third day I will do Hamilton and Wrenn Streets – some of these are spread out but our weather is so beautiful I enjoy walking this shopping route. The fourth day I do any outlying buildings that are not on the loop mentioned above (this is also the day that is highly likely to get cut if necessary).
Map from the HP Market Authority
Transportation has vastly improved over the years and is an important component for getting quickly from one stop to the next. High Point offers two free continuous bus lines that loop around the entire downtown area: the RED line and the GREEN line (shown above). You can get a bus map here go to page THREE for the Red and Green Line stops. High Point also provides one of my favorite market perks – the G0-Anywhere shuttle van. That’s right, they will take you anywhere, for free, within a three mile radius. Go to the downtown Transportation Terminal or simply flag one down from any location in the Market area. You may also call 336.887.RIDE (7433) to have a shuttle dispatched to you. Go-Anywhere Shuttles will be operating from Saturday, April 20 through Wednesday, April 24, 7:30am – 8:30pm, and Thursday, April 25, 7:30am – 5pm.
If it’s your first time to High Point market (let me be the first to say WELCOME), I would highly recommend reading about being a first-time visitor on the High Point Market Authority’s FIRST TIME VISITORS section here. It includes valuable information that you will want on-hand including videos, printouts and maps.
Lastly, one of the most important things I do when shopping market is finding great new resources….and that my friends is a trade secret I won’t be sharing today, sorry! However, if you are interested in my favorite finds, you can follow my Spring market shopping Pinterest Board Fun Finds.
There is so much more to learn and know about market like buyers passes and where to stay among other things. Be sure to visit the HP Market Authority website that provides an ample amount of additional information.
If you find this post helpful to your shopping experience please be sure to let me know and share it with your friends!
Good luck and hope to see you soon, in High Point of course!
xo Christi
You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. The world never sleeps!
Winston Salem Home Renovation
April 14, 2013
This month’s winston-salem monthly features a home we recently renovated. The article, titled Mother’s of Invention (read the article here), details the importance of creating a home that is designed around, and for, the family who resides there.
In her own words, our client wrote this about the project:
It’s not where you live, it’s how you live. That concept has always stuck with us; whether it was living in Denver, Colorado, Durango, CO, The Bay Area in San Francisco, or South Texas along the Gulf shores all in Jennifer’s youth or just across the river from New York city in Bayonne , New Jersey or the Maplewood-in the suburbs, of New Jersey for Austin. Home is that place where you go to find comfort and peace with those you love. So it was when we first walked into this home that our family felt like we could live here really well…except with a few slight changes here and there.
So; the dream list began; a touch of the feeling from our past-Colorado nature, (bring the outside in with lots of windows) California casual (clean line cabinetry, concrete, fireplace), Texas expansiveness (open kitchen, living, dining) New Jersey community, (close proximity to family within the house) , and Maplewood as place to play (boy cave/man cave).
Also, It’ not what you do, it’s who you do it with……the relationship is important…..working with those who want to collaborate, not dictate. Who are open, not with set with preconceived ideas-creative and willing to take some risks. So, the list began with who to have help us-architect, builder, designer. We assembled just the right group: Vicky Schober – the builder (who’s first reaction was excitement at doing something different and she’s a mom), Jill Spaeh – the architect and Mom who wanted to first meet the whole family to understand “how we live” and the calm cool designer, Anne Barnhardt who was First a Mom and her priority was to help us better live as a family, but doing it with style and comfort! Anne has since deceased and I see and feel her everywhere. She was amazing in her talents and extended her warmth into every choice brought forth-thinking about the family first-the texture of the fabric, the feel on the feet, the durability of 2 boys and how the space would be for their friends, on and on-it was important to her that our boys love their home and be drawn to come back in all the years ahead.
Desired end result…was for our family to walk in the door and have a rush of warmth and love awaiting, for friends to come and feel the pull of gathering, and for new friends to walk in and feel like they belong.
Photo by J. Sinclair
At Barbour Spangle our goal with each and every project is to help our clients – no matter if they are stay-at-home moms, executives, or retirees – create a sense of HOME. Just as our client details above, that word – HOME – means something different to every one of us. Design should be a reflection of who you are, the family that lives there, the people that congregate, love, play and eat together, not just something pretty. It should be a place to find refuge, to have fun, to love, and to heal.
Have a good weekend everyone.
xo Christi
Industrial Lighting
March 25, 2013
If Industrial is your design aesthetic – Rejuvenation is the place to shop for lighting. A member of the William Sonoma Family (whose brothers and sisters include Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PB Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Mark + Graham and Cultivate), Rejuvenation is a designers paradise for classic American lighting.
If you need a little industrial design inspiration check out the Pinterest page of architect Monica Gasperini titled Industrial Interiors.
Some of her pins on that Pinterest board include:
One of our more recent projects for a furniture manufacturer included a dining area and design center:
xo
The Beauty of the Power Nap
March 15, 2013
This morning on the TODAY Show they had a segment on the power of the Power Nap. I have a friend who, for years, has insisted she needed to nap in order to function. What?? I admit, I have unabashedly teased her for it. Girlfriend, you know who you are and I am sorry.
According to a recent study 43% of Americans feel like they don’t get enough sleep. Some suggest that by taking a 15-30 minute doze you will be more creative, less stressed and refreshed. Really? I’m not convinced, but I am willing to try it.
Since it’s all about the environment at Barbour Spangle it got us thinking….where do you take a nap at work? I certainly can’t do it at my desk. The question becomes, is it a room or a product? Call it what you like: Nap Room, Quiet Zone or Rejuvination Center – the purpose is to create a space that is quiet,cool, dark and perfect for some Zzzzzz’s. This could be as simple as taking a small room and painting it a darker color and outfitting it with a comfy chair. Sounds nice but I did some digging around to see what else is out there other than good-old-dad’s La-Z-Boy recliner.
I can’t decide if this looks like napping or riding a bike? This power pod designed by Frank Ehners is called el Zulo.
This feels a bit more spa-like with it’s integrated lighting and music. Designed by Alberto Frias it looks like something out of Star Wars! Princess Leia, is that you?
Speaking of Princess Leia, what about StormTroopers….? Darth must be missing his army. Metronaps EnergyPods
Easter is right around the corner, wonder if the Easter Bunny takes his naps here? The Ovei pod by Lee McCormack. 
Go ahead, you know you want to. Take that power nap and let me know how it works for you.
xo Christi
Lovely Lighting
March 13, 2013
It’s been some time since I last wrote and I appreciate the patience of our faithful and friendly followers!
Today I have been researching lighting for a new project. I have always been a fan of Alison Berger and the incredible lighting line she has. As luck would have it, her line is exactly what I needed today. Lucky me.
If you are not familiar with Alison’s work I suggest taking a look at her website: Alison Berger Glassworks
If you find yourself craving a little Alison in your life…give us a call and we can help you out!
xo Christi
All photos are from Alison Berger Glassworks Website.
Heaven has a new Angel
November 13, 2012
It is with heavy and grieving hearts that we share with you our dear friend and colleague Anne Kirby Barnhardt peacefully passed away yesterday morning at home. Anne has bravely been battling her second bout of breast cancer for the last nine months and made the choice last week to spend her final days at home surrounded by those she loved.
We cannot adequately express the love, gratitude and sheer admiration we have for our friend. We also want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your heartfelt concern, calls, emails and texts about Anne. It is clear that she has touched so many lives with her love, friendship and talents.
Helen Keller once said: “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
Anne will forever be a part of us.
A memorial service to celebrate Anne’s life will be held on Friday November 16 at 2:00 PM at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 611 N. Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401; or the Red Dog Farm Animal Rescue Network, 5836 Bur-Mill Club Road, Greensboro, NC 27410.
On line condolences can be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com. Many of you have shared special stories with us that her family wants to hear, please be sure to send a note to the family for placement in their keepsake book or sign the online condolence book through this link.
Our office will be closed on Friday to mourn the loss of our friend and celebrate her special life.
Christi and Christi
