Why Markets Matter in the World of Design
Patti Carpenter of Carpenter & Company has built her career around connection: between artisans and buyers, products and people, and global markets and consumers. Patti is the Global Trend Ambassador for Maison & Objet, but she attends design Markets all over the world, from Asia to Europe to High Point and more. She sees international ideas converge from all over the world!
We met up with Patti at the Spring 2025 High Point Market, and talked about her mission of connecting artisans to the global design industry through markets. “I love attending so many different Markets because you get to see what’s happening everywhere,” Patti shared. “And what makes High Point Market so special is that people come together here for furniture, textiles, decorative accessories, and artisan-made pieces side by side.”
Connecting Artisans, Designers, and Buyers
For Patti, Markets are essential because they connect makers with the marketplace. Artisans share their craft, designers discover fresh materials, and retailers find products that resonate with clients. “Handmade pieces bring warmth and personality to our homes,” she explained. “They ground us in a way that mass production alone can’t.”
Experiencing Design Beyond the Screen
High Point and other Markets allow designers to experience design beyond the screen. Colors, textures, and finishes reveal themselves in ways that photos can’t capture. “You can make anything look beautiful in a picture,” Patti said. “But in person, you feel the quality, the detail, the craftsmanship. That’s where real inspiration happens.”
2026 Global Trends Coming Together at High Point
The color trends Patti currently forecasts are: herbal greens, terracotta, coral, and blush. These warm, earthy tones offer comfort and calm, reflecting the atmosphere people globally are seeking in their homes today.
For Patti though, great design isn’t just about what’s trending. It’s about that human connection, the bond between artisans and their cultures and buyers, colors and emotions, and most importantly, people and the homes they create.
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