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In July 2016, AmericasMart created a
new, juried collection of top-tier makers of lighting, textiles, and occasional furniture. DÉCOR | Light and Lifestyles comprised 20 sophisticated and cutting-edge manufacturers in a gallery-like space with spacious booths, hard walls, and superb lighting on Floor 8, Building 1. The mix was surprising, but complementary with quality its bedrock.
“We know that buyers’ time is valuable. We wanted to give designers and home furnishing retailers a place to meet unique exhibitors, start conversations, spark creativity, and form relationships...
to add a new dimension to the buying experience,” says Katie Inglis, Director of sales, AmericasMart.
In January, DÉCOR | Light and Lifestyles will be back for an encore performance. The dialogue will continue with returning and new exhibitors with fresh product lines that speak to the latest home trends, because, as Inglis notes, “Everyone found value in this section.”
The intimate, juried collection was perfect for Austin Allen James, founder of Lawrence and Crane, Inc., who believes that art is energy. He expresses his love of color, movement and lyricism in paintings and occasional furnishings. “People buy these pieces for the way they look. They’re house jewelry,” he says.
“This was my first Atlanta market and DÉCOR was a magnificent platform,” says James. “I needed the hard walls, and lighting is so important to art,” he
says. “I wanted to introduce my work to the Southern market, and Atlanta’s show does that in spades.”
He had three goals: to land with a splash,
to articulate his style (he works in a neutral palette with resin, beeswax and satin finishes), and to sell well. Having checked
off all three, he’ll return in January with new stackable trays and small tables with artwork floating under glass tops.
Shadow Becker of Cozy Nomad Designs brought his one-of-a-kind, hand-made throws and pillows fashioned from distinctive textiles found all over the world. He backs them with faux fur “to make them cozy, because people are investing in making their living spaces places where they can feel their best,” he says.
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