Another realization that I had while on the High Point Market Tour was that many companies are doing their part to make the world a better place by giving back to their communities.

The first of two companies that really impressed me with the difference they are making in the lives of others is Norwalk Furniture. Norwalk which was formed in 1906 in Grand Rapids, Ohio.  Like many other companies on the tour, they have a long history of multi-generational family, American ownership.  They even mobilized during WWII to produce war equipment before returning to normal post-war production.  One of the more interesting part of this history occurred during the current pandemic.  At this time, Norwalk began converting to an ESOP, or employee owned company.  They surprised their workers with the news, and I can only imagine how exciting this must be for the employees, their families, and the community as a whole. I find it so enlightening to learn that the families who are working in the large facility are literally invested in the product that they produce and the future of their company.

Listening to this story helped me to understand that each of these large furniture manufacturers is a collection of dedicated workers who diligently commit themselves to building furniture for others.  Learning the story of Norwalk Furniture, Hubbardton Forge, and others gave me an appreciation for just how much effort goes in to each piece of furniture, and especially into preparing for High Point Market.

(Image Norwalk Furniture)

The most impressive feel-good moment of the tour occurred at Jaipur Living. I had visited this rug and pillow showroom several times before, but never understood the important backstory or source for their wares.  We learned that a man name Nand Kishore Chaudhary (NKC) founded the idea of Jaipur Rugs in 1978 working beside 9 artisans on two looms.  Based on these actions, NKC was disowned by his family because weavers were considered “untouchables”.  After decades of continued effort,  NKC developed an elaborate system of supplying looms for women in various parts of India.

In these villages underprivileged women are given their own looms to use in their homes.  In this way they are able to care for their families and look after their homes while still earning an income.  They are also given their own checking accounts as a way to provide independence and stability for themselves.

We learned on the tour that poor eyesight is considered a curse for many.    Jaipur Living provides $5 eye glasses for those in need and have LITERALLY changed lives.  Instead of being shunned, their employees are able to continue working.

Their rugs are pieces of art and I would proudly display one in my home.

My heart is full knowing that the purchase of a beautiful rug supports woman and families on the other side of the world and is uplifting a enabling families and communities.

SUSTAINABILITY

Many, if not all, of the showrooms that we toured mentioned their commitment to the environment and detailed steps they are taking to minimize environmental harm. Here is one company that stood out as an impressive example to me.

Hubbardton Forge is a lighting company which prides itself on its eco-consciousness and sustainable practices. Formed in 1974, with two college friends working out of a barn in Castleton, Vermont,  Hubbardton Forge is one of the United State’s oldest and largest  commercial forges.  Each piece is hand-crafted one at a time.

They have a 45+ year commitment to preserving energy, minimizing waste and reducing its impact on the environment:

-Source domestically and collaborate with local vendors when able

– Create designs with energy efficiency in the forefront.

– One of the first in Vermont to use powder coating and aqueous metal cleaning

-The first in the world to beta-test a phosphate-free bioremediation cleaner for their wash solutions

As shown on their website, Recycling is a major priority for Hubbardton Forge.

Learning more about the company helps me feel personally attached to their mission and makes me more inclined to want to support their community of artisans who are working to craft beautiful pieces, while doing their part to protect the environment.

In an industry full of options, it is obvious that price, style, and availability are always important.  However, I had an epiphany at some point on the tour.  I realized that learning the quality, history, and core-values of a company made me naturally feel more connected and more likely to want to support it.  In a scenario where many of the other variables were similar, I would be motivated to purchase from a company whose values aligned with my own.

As a designer it is my responsibility to educate my client about fabrics, construction, quality, value, etc.  Do I also have the obligation to communicate the history and core-value of the companies we will be using?   Do our clients care if we chose companies who help the Earth and their communities, or is it just a nice side note?  To be honest, I’m not sure yet, but my gut says that it is client dependent and will continue to increase in priority with time.  Perhaps once the supply-chain rights itself, these details which were once considered a bit superfluous will actually hold more weight in the decision making process.  Depending on the economy,  we may find that consumers will continue to care more and more about who builds the pieces in their home, and how that affects others. As we have that paradigm shift where we start to consider what each piece of furniture represents, it takes our appreciation for our home furnishings to a whole new level.