Las Vegas Market Taps Top Names For “Ahead Of The Curve”
Furniture World News Desk on
4/16/2018
Las Vegas Market recently announced that it has selected three leading Western interior designers – Amber Lewis, Brian Paquette and Laura Umansky – as principal panelists for its popular “Ahead of the Curve” educational program, a proprietary home furnishings forecast presented in partnership with Luxe Interiors + Design at the Summer 2018 Las Vegas Market, July 29 - August 2, 2018.
“From vibrant color palettes and curved furniture to textured wallcoverings and metallic touches, trends are always evolving, and Las Vegas Market partners with the best and brightest designers for an exclusive glimpse into what’s new and what’s hot in the home furnishings and design world in the western states,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of Gift Leasing and Chief Marketing Officer, International Market Centers. “We’re delighted that Luxe Interiors + Design is returning for the second year as the program sponsor and moderator of the panel discussion. As the leading furniture, home decor and gift destination in the western United States, Las Vegas Market is dedicated to presenting directional and forward-thinking trend information from the industry’s leading design luminaries.”
Summer Market’s Ahead of the Curve program will be held on Tuesday, July 31, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm in Building B’s WorldView on Sixteen. A representative from Luxe Interiors + Design will moderate a dynamic and engaging panel discussion with three well-known interior designers and style setters in their respective regional markets who will share their insights and opinions about hottest new directions and designs in home furnishings and décor.
Amber Lewis is chief executive of Los Angeles-based Amber Interiors, a full-service residential design firm assisting clients with a wide range of challenges, including selection of architectural details and finishes, collaborating with architects and builders, decorating a functional, beautiful space with furniture, fabrics, accessories, and creating custom pieces. Looking ahead to Summer Market, she said, “Every year that I visit Las Vegas Market, I’m taken aback by all of the creativity. Right now, I’m particularly inspired by organic and natural touches that elevate dark and moody spaces. I have always been a true believer in a more home-made approach to décor, so the ability to source found objects and products made of organic materials makes Las Vegas Market a great resource.”
Brian Paquette is founder of Seattle-based Brian Paquette Interiors, a full-service interior design firm that draws inspiration from a variety of sources – architecture, travel and the natural world, among others – to create interiors that are a living extension of art meant to be touched, used and admired. He points to an up-and-coming trend towards understated elegance. “A growing trend that I am incorporating into my work is, for lack of a better word… quiet. People value comfort and are taking a more thoughtful approach to living. With that said, I am stepping away from bold patterns and embracing pieces with daring curves and material juxtaposition that make a subtle but dignified statement.”
Laura Umansky is founder of Houston-based Laura U Interior Design, a leading design firm known for its bold aesthetic and polished, livable interiors; the company’s renowned “Classically Current” style incorporates clean lines with striking details to bridge the gap between high design and practical living. She points to a trend towards sculptural lighting on the horizon, noting, “Say goodbye to traditional table lamps and conventional crystal chandeliers—sculptural lighting is an exciting trend and a must in my interiors. I look for inspired forms, new materials, and gorgeous finishes—monumental and statement making pieces. These two fixtures embody all of these elements. I can’t wait to use them in one of my upcoming projects!”
In advance of the Tuesday seminar, the designers will scout the showrooms at Las Vegas Market to identify their favorite trends and products. During the presentation, they will discuss their favorites, describe the items, why they selected them, what trends are emerging and how they would incorporate each into a room. A complete list of all the designers’ selections, along with showroom locations, will be provided at the close of the seminar session, so that attendees can see all the Ahead of The Curve resources first-hand. Program attendees will receive 0.15 CEU (continuing education units).
Winter Market’s strong attendance gains and record-breaking number of exhibitors are prompting positive expectations for the Summer 2018 Las Vegas Market, scheduled for July 29 to August 2, 2018. Among the eagerly-anticipated highlights of Summer Market are the return of the annual “Up on the Roof” gala charity event benefiting Gift For Life; the fourth annual ANDYZ design awards, recognizing the year’s best interior design projects; and the FIRST LOOK trend presentation spotlighting the best new-to-market products. Summer Market also will feature a full week of educational programming and seminars addressing design trends, retailing strategies and more.
More about Las Vegas Market: Las Vegas Market is the nation’s fastest growing gift and home décor market and the leading furniture marketplace in the western U.S., presenting 4,000+ gift, home décor and furniture resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of gift, furniture and home décor lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among these industries. The Winter 2018 Las Vegas Market runs January 28 to February 1, 2018. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.
More about International Market Centers, L.P.: Las Vegas Market is produced by International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. International Market Centers owns and operates 12.2 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C. and Las Vegas. IMC’s mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. For more information on IMC, visit http://imcenters.com/.