What a trip! Las Vegas is a city like none other. Having recently visited the Las Vegas Market, I was instantly enveloped by the city’s unique vibrations. It is a place buzzing with kinetic energy, alive with booming music and palpable excitement. Lights dance, towering buildings glisten, and kitschy Americana mingles with the ornate in a way that is both seamless and surprising all at once. This was my first time in Las Vegas!
Shall I say, Las Vegas Market was a lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Although the exhibition was vibrant and high-energy, the place is gigantic with three buildings of 25 floors each and the pavilion, the creative undertones of the event were intoxicating. A few standout vendors I was able to meet with included Coco Mat, Arteriors, and Chandra, TovFurniture and VitaCopenhaguen.
As I have written before, Coco Mat is one of my favorite vendors to partner with, creating ecologically responsible bedding products using sustainable, zero-waste practices. Not surprisingly, the Coco Mat display at Las Vegas Market was a welcome respite from higher energy presentations by other vendors. Their offerings on display, including plush pillows, lush blankets, and, of course, mattresses that support and cradle. Coco Mat’s ability to showcase their product in an approachable, yet elevated way continues to impress me, and I love seeing individuals discover the joy of sustainability by interacting with their unparalleled line.
Lighting determines so much about one’s environment, and getting the lighting temperature exactly right can make a home feel complete. Arteriors proved their mastery of this with their exhibition at LasVegas Market, showcasing their artful, yet irresistibly functional pieces. I was most inspired by the wicker and woven fixtures, sure to round out any serene, meditative space.
One of the most moving exhibitions was displayed by textile vendor, Chandra. Swiftly becoming a leader in the global rug market, Chandra’s designs run the gamut from meditative to modern and striking. Each rug is handcrafted, painstakingly created by masters in the field, showing a mastery of the craft.
Tov Furniture was another standout for me, offering an innovative, fresh take on furniture staples. From meeting trends by mixing colors and textures to building artful statement pieces, Tov has created an experience that is utterly unique. Their tufted seating options juxtapased more structured items, rounding out an already rich product offering. Additionally, the team introduced a customer-centric model, making them pioneers in the industry.
I was invigorated by decor pieces by Amigos De Hoy, a design house whose pieces are both nostalgic and fresh all at once. When integrated into a home or living space together, Amigos De Hoy pieces create a bohemian feel that is authentic and rich, rather than looking thrown together. However, one-off pieces like the Stevie Tamborine, add a conversational quality to nearly any artful grouping.
Personal connections give me new life, often creating a sense of wholeness to an experience. I was thrilled to meet in person Jane Dagmi, chief editor at Designers Today Magazine, and have a lovely conversation. I also was interviewed by Christopher Grubb for a segment of House Tipster at Las Vegas Market in beautiful airy CocoMat showroom. I finally met lovely and talented architect designer Laura Muller and her husband from Four Point Design Build. These enriching interactions left me feeling energized and inspired.
I was blessed to see the O Show by Cirque du Soleil. The reknowed circus prouesse brought me back in time to my ethereal theater aesthetics, stage directing, scenography and ligthing arrangements experiences. As a retired professional dancer and former stage director, this production took my breath away. From the storytelling to the costuming and stunning movement, Cirque du Soleil has created a magical experience in the O Show. From the use of color to the bold and irresistable flow of movement, this is an experience that will stay with me as I create in 2019 and beyond.
After perusing countless vendors showrooms, anytime I go to market events, I needed to replenish and realign. Back on the buzzing streets, hustling past busy shops and parties in full-swing, I returned to my oasis—the Wynn Hotel. Spawling, gigantic, yet somehow with pockets of intimate and inviting spaces all at once, the Wynn provided the respite from the high energy that I craved at the end of the day. From the spa-like atmosphere in the room to integrated smart technology and their overall commitment to wellness exemplified by multiple spas and salons, the Wynn is the perfect home-away-from home.
An added bonus of The Wynn is the steady reminder that in this town, there is natural beauty. And as someone who needs peace and serenity to remain aligned, I was grateful to find ways to escape the noise and retreat to calm, quiet corners of the hotel where I could sip chilly water and look out over the breathtaking landscape.
Surrounded by soaring rock formations and mountainous terrain, Las Vegas exists in a special corner of the world. In just a few moments, you can be whisked away from the high vibrations and find yourself in the desert, gazing at incredible rock formations. Red Rock Canyon is just a 30-minute drive from the heart of Las Vegas and is a natural wonder that will replenish and realign you with the earth.
Las Vegas is a place filled with wonder. It is a manmade haven for fun, excitement, and artistic expression built within a sprawling desert. It is a place where you can remain grounded, find deep inspiration, and achieve alignment. It just takes some effort and a willingness to escape the crazy and retreat to higher grounds.