Designer Experience Asheville

1. INTRO
We recently attended our 2nd immersion event with Designers Today Magazine and PBM Events – this time in Asheville, NC. We want to share with you all about our experience because if you are a designer at any level – right out of school or very seasoned – the value is tremendous. If you aren't a designer and are listening to this episode, it will be interesting to you because we will talk about all the knowledge we have as professional interior designers and the crazy ways we learn about our trade!

2. DETAILS - DAY 2
The event was held August 19-21st for 3 wild and crazy days on the infamous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. We literally did not stop from 7:30 am to 9:30pm.

A. Day 1: The first big event was an Interior Design and Historic Preservation Tour of the Biltmore Estate held by the Biltmore's Chief Curator. The restoration efforts underway at the Biltmore are fascinating – everything from reviving the original wallpaper and fabrics to restoring the grand rooms was in depth.
B. Day 2: Factory tour of Lexington Brands
i. Fabric Resource Room and the beginning of (5) new outdoor collections.
ii. Frames
iii. Leather and fabrics laser cut
C. Day 2: Factory tour of Vanguard Furniture
i. Demonstration of 8-way hand tied
ii. The step by step process a piece of furniture goes thru
iii. Make-Your-Own process
D. Hickory Furniture Mart
E. Evening at a Designer Home – our impressions

3. DETAILS – DAY 3
A. Historic Biltmore Garden Tour – our impressions of the gardens, grounds and Conservatory.
B. Learning all about the choices made by George Vanderbilt and acclaimed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and how their designs have endured for more than a century.
C. Closing Keynote by James Farmer of James Farmer Designs – our impressions.

4. REASONS WHY WE ATTENDED THIS EVENT
A. To cultivate professional relationships with colleagues and manufacturers in an intimate and casual environment.
B. To complete several hours of high-quality and engaging CEU credits in a cost-effective and painless manor.
C. To venture behind the scenes and discover the stories behind the pieces you're choosing for clients and meet the people designing and making them.
D. To savor all that North Carolina and the home furnishings industry has to offer while growing as a professional designer.

5. OUR TOP TAKEAWAYS
A. The inside atmosphere and work environment of a furniture factory – the long term tenure of the employees, how hard it is, the care and craftsmanship of every piece.
B. American made vs. import – quality over all else
C. Inspiration is everywhere in our industry – fashion, automotive, historic places like the Biltmore, nature
D. We all have a story – like the Vanderbilts or James Farmer… we all have a history that play out in our interiors.