What is your role at AmericasMart?
As the Design Services Manager, I help connect designers, specifiers, retailers, home stagers and set designers to the multitude of open year-round showrooms here at the Mart. I help source from every product category including furniture, home décor, rugs, lighting and more. I’m here to help buyers develop a market plan before they arrive, and validate their parking once they do! I hope to introduce designers to showrooms they might not have utilized before. In addition, I also coordinate design-driven events, CEU seminars, panel discussions and workshops. Essentially my role is to help navigate and educate.
What is your background?
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Georgia. My career started out at Ferguson Enterprises as a Customer Service Representative and later transitioned to Showroom Consultant. Throughout my career at Ferguson, I worked with interior designers, builders, and homeowners building their dream home or assisting with a remodel. Although I am not an interior designer, I have always had passion and understanding of interior design. I love nothing more than seeing the completed project come all together!
What would you like interior designers to know about AmericasMart?
AmericasMart has many showrooms that are open year-round, Monday through Friday, with in-stock product for your next project. Whether you need help finding your way around or you’re looking for a specific product to source, you can always come to me with any questions. We’re also excited to open our new Designer Workspace in July. Located on Floor 15 in Building 1, the space will be open for use during market and non-market days. It will offer workstations, conference rooms, and sitting group areas. It is a great place for designers to meet with their clients as well as review exhibitor product specifications. Also, that’s where you can find me!
What is one trend you’re noticing for 2022?
I am seeing the use of warmer tones in both furniture and wall treatments – whether in paint colors or wallpaper. The contrast of either the dark paint color with a lighter interior selection or vice versa, I think will be something you’ll see throughout 2022. Also, look out for pattern heavy wall coverings and window treatments. This was a trend that I saw throughout 2021, but I think will continue far into 2022. Look forward to more cozy and moody interiors rather than bright white or gray.
Meet Caroline on campus at AmericasMart, Mondays – Fridays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. during non-market times. Learn more about open-year-round sourcing and schedule an appointment with Caroline at americasmart.com/Year-Round.
