Why You Should Visit a Design Center
In the heart of Buckhead in Atlanta is an interior design mecca that’s little known to people outside of the industry. I’m talking about the ADAC, a design center that has over 550,000 square feet (you read that right) of the best fabric, wallpaper, furniture and fixture showrooms in the US.
The ADAC, and design centers like it, primarily focus on “to the trade” professionals. This means that most showrooms are only able to sell their products to registered or licensed members of the interior design, architectural or building industries.
“So why should you visit as a consumer, even if you won’t be able to purchase items directly?”
There are a couple of reasons:
First, have you ever visited your local fabric store only to leave feeling disappointed with the selection? Or do you have Pinterest boards filled with beautiful tile or fixtures that you can never seem to find while your shopping?
“The reason why you can’t find many of the cool design elements you see in professionally designed rooms is because they’re not available for sale to the general public.”
Showrooms like the ones in the ADAC can give you the options you’ve been missing, since many of the best suppliers in the industry chose only to work with professionals.
Second, by visiting these showrooms you’ll educate yourself on all options the industry has to offer and you’ll have a much better selection of the items you’re looking for. This will help you to determine what you truly want, instead of having to settle.
So let's say you find the perfect fabric/sofa/rug, now what?
If you want to purchase an item you find, you have a few choices:
For starters, some showrooms may be able to sell you floor models. This will depend on how their business is set up, but it’s worth asking about if you really fall in love with a particular piece.
For smaller purchases of some items, say fabric or wallpaper, you may be able to find what you’re looking for through an online reseller. The important thing is to get the name of the supplier and the style name or number. Then you’ll be able to perform an online search to see if want you want is available to consumers. I find Etsy to be a great source for these types of designer fabric and pillows.
Finally, if you fall in love with a particular showroom and have a project you don’t want to take on yourself, you can ask them for a list of their preferred industry professionals. This is a great way to connect with an interior designer or contractor if you find that process intimidating.
I’m pretty thrilled to have an amazing resource like the ADAC in my city. The experience of visiting a design center is a lot of fun, even if you don’t plan to purchase anything. By exposing yourself to all the options available, you’re also helping to develop your personal sense of style.
I’m pretty thrilled to have an amazing resource like the ADAC in my city. The experience of visiting a design center is valuable (and fun), even if you don’t end up buying anything. I’m a firm believer that the more you educate yourself as a consumer, the happier you’ll be with the purchases you make.
Professional designers spend a lot of time doing their research and finding the best materials and furniture before they start a project. That’s one of the big reasons why they’re able to deliver cohesive and beautiful spaces. By practicing the same process as a consumer, you’ll be able to design your space with more confidence and create a home you truly love.
Here's a link to the full directory of showrooms in the ADAC.
If you aren’t in at Atlanta, there are similar design centers located throughout the US and Canada. Here’s a link to a list of centers in other cities.
