By Sharon L. Sherman ASID CID CKD NCIDQ
All photography courtesy of ANDMORE
Twice a year, in April and October, High Point, North Carolina, becomes the beating heart of the home furnishings industry. The streets are filled with designers, editors, buyers and creatives. Restaurants are bustling, ride shares are booked out, and every showroom glows with possibility. But what happens when the show ends, the traffic clears, and the spotlight dims?
That’s the question I used to ask Jane Dagmi. I find it strange that this former furniture capital of the world seemed to shut down at the end of each market. As the former editor of Designers Today, Jane gave voice to the design community (myself and my work included) and to underrepresented conversations within it. Today, she’s bringing that same fearless curiosity and commitment to her role as Director of High Point x Design (HPxD), a coalition of showrooms and thought leaders working to transform High Point from a twice-a-year destination into a vibrant, year-round design hub.
In my view, design has always been about human connection. It is about storytelling, supporting the makers, the visionaries, and people who are part of history and the future of communities across the country. Market is not just about the thousands of designers who come to the area for a few short days. It is about the people of the community who live here, raise their families here, and belong to a community that exists for more than four days in April and October.
HPxD was born around a weathered teak table in March of 2020 when a group of friends, neighbors and industry pros started Saturday morning meetups. With the pandemic revving up and High Point Market postponed, we conjured solutions to sustain our businesses and support the interior design trade.
Today, HPxD is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization that promotes, unites, and builds upon the city’s unique creative ecosystem. Our community is composed of notable showrooms and manufacturers, brands, makers, artists, innovators, partners, and friends with shared interests and goals, and we spread the word that High Point is open and a year-round resource for design professionals, educators’ students, and the community.
In this conversation, Jane and I will talk about the changing landscape of design, the power of community, and how year-round engagement can uplift not just showrooms, but the entire High Point region from Greensboro to Winston-Salem and beyond, reshaping not just a city, but the very role of design in community life.
Sharon: You held a highly respected role as editor of Designers Today. What inspired you to step away from publishing and into this boots-on-the-ground position with HPxD?
Jane: I loved my four years at Designers Today and was proud of the community we built. But living in High Point, I felt the need to contribute to my new hometown. When the opportunity at HPxD came up, it felt like it was meant for me. It allowed me to stay immersed in the design world while helping grow something transformative right in the place I now call home.
Sharon: How has the idea of year-round design been received by the community and local vendors?
Jane: It’s been amazing. Within a year of starting at HPxD, the City Council announced its strategic plan to become a global capital for art and design. That kind of alignment has fueled a sense of collaboration that’s very real. We’re not just growing our showroom network; we’re connecting with schools and nonprofits. It feels like the whole city is waking up to what’s possible.
Sharon: HPxD has taken a bold stance on inclusion and purpose in design. What shaped that vision?
Jane: As an editor, I always gravitated to stories with heart and that speak to design equity – affordable housing, aging in place and design for wellness. At HPxD, we’re building programs that serve both design professionals and the wider community. For example, when High Point was designated a Certified Autism Destination, we created two days of programming around neurodiversity, with sessions tailored to designers, parents, business owners, and real estate professionals. And we’re not stopping there.
We made sure that civic leaders were present at our symposium on Designing Well-being, which featured international leaders in biophilic design, absorbing ideas they could take back to their constituents. We really want to get the message out that good design affects everyone.
Sharon: You and I share a belief that design for well-being is not a trend, it’s a responsibility. How is HPxD embracing that idea?
Jane: We have so many dreams here. We’d love to see parent nights in schools that teach
affordable, sustainable design tips to improve focus and wellness. We want to create pathways for high schoolers to explore careers in design – whether that’s logistics, marketing or creative
direction. We’re a nurturing industry, and I believe we can spark interest early.
Sharon: There’s such soul in the work you’re doing. How does that translate into the HPxD experience?
Jane: I think it’s about slowing down. When designers visit High Point outside of Market, they fall in love with it all over again. They have time to connect with brands, and with people. That slower pace fosters real conversations and meaningful collaboration. We want to show that High Point can offer more than one type of design experience.
Sharon: What’s next for HPxD? What should we be watching for?
Jane: Look for more events that connect education with the HPxD experience. The success of our Vacation Rental Design Summit has opened the door to exploring new themes – like antiques and senior living, and conversations around marketing, media and technology are always interesting. Stay tuned for an announcement about a collaboration we are doing with a local High Point hotel as well as news about The Design Besties transforming a teacher lounge for one lucky High Point school. We are always working on expanding our member list and we’d love to have 60-ish brands participating within the next year or so. We’re also thrilled about NKBA establishing a deeper presence in High Point – it’s truly an exciting time to be here. Other unique ideas are in the works, and we always welcome new ones. We like to push the envelope a bit because our city is wildly creative and resourceful, and we know anything is possible here.
Sharon: Why High Point x Design Matters
Jane: In my view, design has always been about human connection. It is about storytelling, supporting the makers, the visionaries, and people who are part of history and the future of communities across the country. Market is not just about the thousands of designers who come to the area for a few short days. It is about the people of the community who live here, raise their families here, and belong to a community that exists for more than four days in April and October.
HPxD isn’t just about keeping doors open. It’s about opening minds, fostering innovation, supporting neurodiverse communities, and deepening the intersection of science, wellness and beauty in design. Design Never Goes Dark has been the guiding vision since Spring 2020, the first opening for designers outside of the spring and fall markets. “The List” includes 47 HPxD flagship showrooms that are open to the design community year-round. HPxD’s network is reimagining design’s evolution, becoming more accessible, more inclusive, and more connected.
Sharon Sherman is the Founder of Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey.
