Antique and Design Center of High Point

One of the most brilliant aspects of High Point Market in the spring and fall each year takes place on the ground floor of Historic Market Square. It is called the Antique and Design Center of High Point, or ADC, and it is so special, it draws some of the world’s top designers to its labyrinth of booths two days before market opens. This provides showrooms like ours the opportunity to connect with these tastemakers before the groundswell of crowds come to town. Once Market does open, the venue is jam-packed with designers who are looking for antiques and vintage pieces to help make their interiors sing, the quality of their choices illustrated above.

High Point Antique and Design Center

This portrait of Karen Luisana and Amanda Kinney illustrate the vivacious energy they bring to ADC.

The founders of the show, Karen Luisana and Amanda Kinney, launched the effort in the fall of 2010. As you can see from this fun photo of them, they are a lively pair with tremendous imagination. We asked them to share with us how the journey has been from start-up to stunning success and, boy, did they deliver! We’re sharing part of the illuminating Q&A this week, saving some fun for next week when we’ll finish out the interview and tell the story of how the two came together to create this now-important aspect of High Point Market. As we near October, don’t forget the dates for #HPMkt are October 22-26; and the dates for HPADC are 20-26.

These moldings and framed art are representative of the quality shown at the Antique and Design Center of High Point.

C&C: Has anything surprised you two about where this journey together has taken you so far?

KL: I’m surprised every week! We decided to start the business way-back-when because it just “Felt Right.” Antiques dealers were going out of business wherever we looked and many interior designers were closing their storefronts, so it felt right on so many levels. We wanted to connect the great dealers and designers that we had relationships with to make all of their businesses better, easier, and more profitable. It’s working! I guess I’m surprised daily at how well it’s working!

AK: I guess what has surprised and delighted me the most is how the Antique and Design Center has become a beautiful, golden thread in the intricate tapestry of the design industry, connecting some of the most talented and outstanding antiques dealers, designers, and brands. The connections created here give birth to some incredible design projects, of which we are thrilled to be a part.

You can feel the age of these antique chairs, touches that will bring time-honored elegance to a design project.

C&C: What do you foresee as the most exciting aspects of your business in the future?

KL: For me, it’s the challenge of educating and connecting the young talents coming up in all of the home furnishings industries: interior design, architecture, boutique store owners, and the antiques world.

AK: We are excited to continue to grow into an invaluable resource as more and more designers hone in on long-lasting quality and sustainability. Being green is the wave of the future and nothing is greener than antiques. We love that the most creative designers strive to mix antiques with new furnishings created by brands that are also committed to sustainability, such as Currey & Company.

This decorative box being shown at the Antique and Design Center of High Point is destined for a graceful room.

C&C: How do you resist not spending your entire year’s salary on the incredible things you see when market opens?

KL: I think that Amanda and I are very comfortable with vetting the show and vetting our own buying. Yes, we’re both designers and antiques dealers, and we know how to keep the balance in our businesses. We don’t have to personally own every great piece that comes in the door! We spend a lot of time thanking our exhibitors for bringing their A games every time. We thank them for finding wonderful merchandise and stretching themselves to buy the best that they can find out in the world and bringing it to the ADC.

AK: Let’s be real, I am not good at resisting! I certainly can’t afford to own every great piece that comes in the door, because there are so many wonderful things; but I have to admit that a large portion of my salary goes right back to our dealers as I find beautiful pieces for my own home, and I love walking through my house and thinking about the face of the person I bought each piece from and the story that goes along with it.

It’s not just antiques you’ll find at ADC; there is an array of incredible vintage furnishings.

C&C: What thrills you the most when the show is underway?

KL: The Smiles on the faces: everyone at the show is excited to be here—from buyers and sellers to staff!

AK: Walking in the doors when all the set-up is finished and seeing the place just sparkle with beauty and excitement: It’s pure magic!

Where to Find Them

It’s all smiles on the faces of those visiting ADC.

If you’re new to High Point, the physical address of ADC, which is a private entrance to the show, is 316 W Commerce Avenue. ADC is open from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. and please note, there is no early entry. Stay tuned for next week’s wrap to learn a bit more about these savvy gals!