Antique & Design Center Sets October Market Seminars

August 24, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on August 25, 2011

The Antique & Design Center at Market Square has expanded its educational offerings for October High Point Furniture Market.

The free seminar sessions will focus on the business of antiques, social media, entrepreneurship and design, and more.

"We were thrilled by the response from buyers and designers to our inaugural effort last Spring, and we're planning to wow Market guests once again with an expanded offering of educational seminars featuring world-class speakers, each of whom are considered rock stars in their chosen fields," said Karen Luisana, founder and managing director of the Antique & Design Center at Market Square.

The seminars will be free to all Market-goers thanks to the sponsorship commitment of VandM.com, an online source for unique vintage furniture, antiques, art and jewelry.
 
The series kicks off Saturday morning, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. with social media guru Leslie Carothers and a special breakfast presentation "Breakfast in Bed with Leslie: Waking Up to the Power of Social Media," sponsored by Pandora de Balthazar, a worldwide collector and purveyor of classic antique textiles, exhibiting in High Point at the Antique & Design Center for the first time.

Next up on Saturday at 2 p.m. is Chicago Interior Designer Julia Buckingham Edelman, principal of Buckingham Interiors & Design(http://www.buckinghamid.com/), who presents "Modern-ique: Integrating Antiques and Artifacts with Modern Design for Today's Lifestyles." With a reputation for mixing styles and eras to create surprising, whimsical and unique environments, and an educated eye for only the best and most unique pieces, Edelman sees aged objects as modern art.

Sunday, October 23 features an encore performance by Bill Indursky, co-founder of VandM.com.

"Bill is returning for 'Yearbook 2011/2012: Trend Forecast for the Antique and Home Decor Industries,' and anyone who attended the Spring session will tell you this is a not-to-be-missed, in-depth and up-to-the-minute analysis of where the antique and home decor industries are headed," Luisiana said. "We know from experience that he rivets audiences with a fact-based forecast that is thought-provoking and lively. If it€™s been awhile since your last €˜aha€™ moment, you don€™t want to miss this session."
 
Retail Sherpa, stylist, designer and entrepreneur Suzi West follows at 3:30 on Sunday with "Passion and the Six P's of Successful Retailing."

A panel discussion is set to wrap up Sunday's offering at 5 p.m. Entitled "You Don't Smell Potpourri in Here: Reinventing the Antiques Business," the panel features Luisana as moderator, along with panelists Hilary Eklund, Tandem Antiques; Breck Armstrong, Moss Studio; and Blogger Allison Watts, the force behind the popular blog heirloomphilosophy.blogspot.com.

"Our panel of experts will provide an insider's take on the evolution and revolution underway in today's antiques business," Luisana said. "If ever there was a time to be dealing in antiques, this is it. People are tiring of disposable, mass-produced goods that don€™t last. Everywhere we look, we see that consumers are craving furnishings of real quality. More and more want to invest in pieces with a story behind them that will continue to increase in value over time, and they are gravitating toward the sustainable nature of antiques as well. If you think this is your grandmother€™s business, these panelists are gunning to change your mind."

Monday, October 24 at 2 p.m. brings another popular speaker back to the series with David Lindquist and "Understanding the Value of Antiques in Today's Market." With slides and actual objects drawn from the floor the Antique & Design Center, the presentation will prepare participants to speak intelligently about what is currently happening in the world of antiques, "particularly the astonishing decline of antique prices, which is bringing antiques into sharp competition with modern reproductions and fine modern furniture," Lindquist said.

Breck Armstrong, principal of Moss Studios takes the podium at 3:30 on Monday for "Found Objects Repurposed for Modern Home Decor." Armstrong left his job in Chicago, working with antiques and salvage, for the space and serenity of a farm in Michigan. Since starting his own business "with a unique and ever-changing collection of industrial salvage, he has gained a reputation for creating industrial modern furniture and home accessories and his 'objects with stories' are featured in an enviable list of the country's leading-edge home and style retailers," Luisiana said.

Clayton Oxford, principal of Clayton Oxford Designs, wraps up the series on Tuesday, October 25 at 2 p.m. with "Entrepreneurship & Design: The Benefits of Local Sourcing."

All seminars take place in the Mezzanine Level Seminar Space in the Antique & Design Center in historic Market Square.