Our annual trip (or lately, twice yearly!) to High Point Market is always one of the highlights of my year! It’s a chance for me to recharge and fuel up on design inspiration for the upcoming season. There’s no way I can possibly see everything while I’m there, but I create a list of showrooms and events that I can’t miss so I don’t get overwhelmed or forget anything. I am notorious for my bad memory, so I write everything down on my to-do list! Of course, I’m always excited to explore new showrooms to see what trends are making their debut, but I must say I do have some favorites that are a must-see every time I visit.

Hickory Chair has the coolest Designer partnerships! Everyone on my design team has fallen in love with the Hable for Hickory Chair line. We just installed the Tate arm chair for one of our client's in LA - so recent it isn't even photographed yet! - and it is comfortable and handsome. I have to find a home for the Selah cocktail table as I love the shape and proportions. Of course, Alexa Hampton and Susanne Kasler are both just fabulous. What's not to love about everything they touch?!

Next up is Visual Comfort, which holds a special place in my heart since they are fellow Houstonians! This company has such a huge reach within the design world, and I love that they are located in my own backyard. Visual Comfort takes innovation seriously and is always ahead of the curve with lighting. I love incorporating their pieces into spaces just as much as artwork – each light fixture has unique character and adds so much personality and luxury to a room! They've also partnered with the top designers in the industry to create some incredible lines that are to die for!

And last, but certainly not least, we love absolutely everything about Bernhardt! To say we're obsessed is an understatement. They are on the cutting edge of furniture design, and our entire team loves their style – light, bright, bold and contrasting. Their pieces fit our livable luxury aesthetic perfectly, plus the price point is attainable while still having lots of options for customization. I find something from Bernhardt for each and every interior we design.

There are so many fun things happening during market in addition to visiting fabulous showrooms, but here are just a few that are on my must-do list:

Friday I'll be at the Style Spotters reunion & networking reception at Pandora's Manor. I'm looking forward to seeing fellow SS alumni and chatting about upcoming trends! It's open to all, so you won't want to miss out. On Sunday, I'll be sitting in on a great panel discussion on: Hospitality Insiders Share All: What it Takes to be a Designer in the Hospitality Sector (at Transportation Terminal). Then, I'm hitting up the Capel 100th Anniversary party – wow, what a milestone!

I always seem to pack a TON of stuff into my trip to High Point, but there's just so many great things to see and do ... cheers to another fabulous year!

XO – Laura U

Founded by celebrated designer, Laura Umansky, in 2006, Laura U Interior Design is a leading design firm known for its luxurious, warm interiors. The company’s signature Classically Current© aesthetic bridges the gap between high design and practical living. Its clean lines and striking details create beautiful, yet functional environments that cater to the individual needs of each client. Laura U Interior Design continues to develop innovative methods that reach beyond turnkey design solutions.