Chapel Hill, NC – (August 1, 2024) – Design Matters, North Carolina’s premier event series celebrating the intersection of design, art, and architecture, has announced its return for 2024, reaffirming its dedication to industry awareness and philanthropy. Set to take place on October 7-8, at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC, this year’s series promises to again be an inspiring and impactful experience, with all proceeds benefiting the Fitch Family Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation Program at UNC Children’s Hospital. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase starting August 7, 2024.
Debra Zinn, co-founder of Design Matters, created the event after spending years attending design events nationwide. “We kept waiting for something like that to take place in our area, but it never did. Taking the initiative, we invited interior designers, artists, floral designers, and other experts to showcase the art of design and combined it with philanthropy. The community’s overwhelming response has transformed Design Matters from a keynote luncheon with a speaker to a multi-day design showcase featuring nationally acclaimed experts in their field. We hope to inspire, educate, and entertain!”
Design Matters stands as a testament to the belief that design truly matters – not just aesthetically, but as a catalyst for meaningful change in the community. Each year, attendance at this celebrated event series continues to grow. Last year’s Set the Table event welcomed nearly 425 visitors, and even greater attendance is anticipated for 2024. The event’s remarkable growth reflects the increasing support for UNC Children’s Hospital and its critical services, showcasing the community’s commitment to both artistic excellence and philanthropic endeavors.
“We are proud and humbled to partner with The Fitch Family Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation Program” said Laura Montross, co-chair of Design Matters. “Funds raised from Design Matters support critical healing spaces and equipment, as well as attract top specialists in pediatric rehabilitation. An investment in Design Matters is an investment in UNC Children’s Hospital and the patients and families they serve. We believe that design can matter.”
Now in its third year, Design Matters will showcase the work of renowned interior designers and artists, while leading entertaining experts share their stories, advice, and inspiration to enhance everyday life. This two-day event harnesses the transformative power of art and design.
Anna Routh Barzin, co-chair of Design Matters, is grateful to everyone who works together to orchestrate this beautiful and unforgettable two-day event. “The larger Design Matters committee, interior designers, artists, florists, speakers, sponsors and in-kind donors are critical in the success of the event and our philanthropic efforts. We are appreciative of their commitment!”
Event Schedule:
Monday, October 7, 2024
10:00 AM to 1:30 PM: Keynote Luncheon
Keynote Luncheon and Design Presentation featuring Associate Vice President of Schumacher, Tori Mellot.
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM: Pop-Up Shop
The Pop-Up Shop, a free event open to the public, with 20% of all sales benefiting the Fitch Family Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation Program at UNC Children’s Hospital. Featuring a unique collection of curated vendors including: ArtSource Fine Art & Framing, Ashleigh Bakes Daily, Caswell Kitchen, Christina Dickson Home, Court 1, Design Matters, Eutopia Design, French Bleue, Gabrielle Jewelry, Inslee Fariss, K. Taylor Creative, Pamela Munson, Poppy & Pink, Purple Puddle Gifts and Flowers, Schumacher, Skin by Blair, Quintessentials, West Queen Studio
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM: Set the Table
Set the Table, the premiere event of the Design Matters series will showcase inspired tablescapes, original art, and floral designs, designed by the following artists and designers:
Artists: Amy Heywood, Anna Vaughn Kincheloe, Ashley Sellner, Ashley Vanore, Beth Steed, Christina Spencer, Clarence Deaton, Donna Walker, Eleanor Scott Davis, Elizabeth Sheats, Ellen McEnaney, Emily Anne Farrell, Elizabeth Endres, Erika Eckerson, Inslee Fariss, Laura Deems, Lindsay H. Jones Fine Art, Nan Jones, Nancy McClure, Reese Emry, Sarah Jane Tart, Tommy Mitchell
Designers: Allison Davis of Allison Davis Interiors, Ashley Hotham Cox of Four Seasons Studio, Ashley Ross of Muse Noire Interiors, Becky Nielsen Filipski of Becky Nielsen Interiors, Chrissie Meadows of Quintessentials, Christina Dickson of Christina Dickson Home, Corie Chrisawn of Corie Page Studio, Debra Zinn of Debra Zinn Interiors, Elizabeth Allran, Alexandra Lordanou, & Cameron Flythe of Design Works Studio, Elizabeth Blair of The Old Hunt Club, Inslee Fariss of Inslee Fariss, Kate Hutchison of kate.h.design, Katelyn Taylor of K.Taylor Creative, Kelley Anderson & Kate Henry of The Maximalist Mix, Kerry Spears of Kerry Spears Interiors, Laura Covington of Laura Covington Interiors, Maggie Dilllon of Maggie Dillon Interiors, Martha Midgette of Martha Midgette Style, Martha Schneider of La Maison, Mary Frances Maker of Mary Frances Maker, Meredith Lewis of Polished, Tori Mellott of Schumacher, Tula Summerford of Design by Tula, Whitney Otto of Otto & Co.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM: Morning Lecture
Morning Lecture, Book Signing, and Tea with Tastemaker & Interior Designer, Beth Webb.
Sponsors for the event include:
Presenting Sponsor: The Dickson Foundation
Platinum Sponsor: Shannon Kennedy, Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty Signature Sponsors: Purple Puddle Gifts and Flowers, Quintessentials, Schumacher, West Queen Studio
Table Sponsors:Anna Applegate Interiors, Christina Dickson Home, Hamilton Point Investment Advisors, Kate.h.design, Maggie Dillon Interiors, Fields & Bell Properties, LLC, Sally Brown, and Susan Allison Gold Sponsors: ADAC, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Amy McEntee, Carole Hollowell Interiors, Chapel Hill Wellness Collective, Debbie Haile, Design News Now, Eatmans Carpets and Interiors, Fiber-Seal of the Triangle & Triad, Furniture Lighting & Décor, Garland House Interiors, Home Design & Décor, Huggins Family Foundation, Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Kitchen and Bath Galleries, MB Public Relations, Pippa Englert, Our State Magazine, ROMO, Sarreid Ltd., SocialCents Media, The Scout Guide, Visual Comfort & Co.
Silver Sponsors: AQ Interiors Atelier and Quilting, Courtney Mellott Interiors, Couture Knots, Elliston House, Outer Banks Granola
In-Kind Sponsors: Abigails, Anna Routh Barzin, AR’s Hot Southern Honey, A Signature Welcome, Aura Marzouk Photography, Blossom And Bone Florals, Cailini Coastal, Cat Nguyen Photography, Chapel Hill Toffee, Christina Dickson Home, db sutton & co. wine shop, Debra Zinn Interiors, Eatmans Carpets & lnteriors, Encore, The English Garden, Events by La Fête, Frederic Magazine, French Broad River Brewery, Inslee Fariss, J. Wilkinson Chair Company, JSH Designs, K. Taylor Creative, La Maison & Trellis, La Petite Abeille, Letter5design, Piedmont Wholesale Flowers, Piedmont Pennies, Purple Puddle Gifts & Flowers, The Skinny Vase, Vietri, Vine and Branch Flower Farm, Visual Comfort & Co., Weezie Cookies, Well Addressed Calligraphy
Event Floral Sponsors: Bowerbird Flowers, Fig Tree Designs, KatieDid Florals, Sutton Stems, University Florist, Watered Garden Florist, Weston Farms, West Queen Studio
For more information about Design Matters https://www.designmattersnc.com.
About Design Matters
Design Matters is North Carolina’s premier event series dedicated to celebrating the intersection of design, art, and architecture. Founded by leading interior designers with a vision to illuminate the transformative power of design and art, Design Matters goes beyond mere celebration, integrating philanthropy at its core. Each year, the series rallies the design and art communities to champion causes of significance, with a current emphasis on supporting the UNC Children’s Hospital. By bridging the worlds of artistic expression and industry awareness, Design Matters stands as a testament to the belief that design truly matters – not just aesthetically, but as a catalyst for meaningful change in our communities.
About UNC Health
As a top-tier academic medical center, UNC Children’s upholds a mission to promote the health of all children in an inclusive, equitable culture through compassionate, family-centered care, tireless advocacy, scientific discovery, and education of future leaders. Our nearly 350 physicians and providers are clinical and research faculty of the UNC School of Medicine, their medical expertise spanning nearly 50 programs in the School of Medicine’s 20 clinical departments, including 15 divisions in the UNC Department of Pediatrics. They are joined by more than 1,800 clinical staff, all dedicated to providing exemplary, compassionate care to the thousands of children we treat each year.
