DESIGNER Q&A: TAKE FIVE
CHRISTI BARBOUR is an expert dot connector, bringing people together through design. It shows in her work. As cofounder and partner at Barbour Spangle Design, Christi and team expertly bring spaces to life – from private residential commissions to expansive commercial projects. She wins awards and accolades. She’s a sought-after advisor on many High Point community enterprises (including ours!). Christi’s passion project, High Point Discovered, now an official non-profit, celebrates and elevates all things High Point.
#1 YOU ARE AN EXCEPTIONAL DESIGNER IN SO MANY WAYS. ONE POINT OF DISTINCTION IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO HIGH POINT. IT’S HOME. ANYTHING YOU WISH MORE DESIGNERS KNEW ABOUT HIGH POINT?
“First, thank you, those are kind words and greatly appreciated. I am proud to call High Point home and deeply love this city for its dual personality: It’s both a quiet, quaint home-town feel where you know your neighbors and if you are so inspired, can get involved to make a difference in the community. And yet, at the same time, it’s this bustling, worldly creative hub in a global Industry. This is one of the many reasons that prompted me to create High Point Discovered.” CB
#2 SHARE AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE. WHAT DOES MARKET MEAN TO A LOCAL DESIGN PRO?
“As showroom designers, Market’s business impact is much more than ten days. We are working on something Market related almost year round! We start with manufacturers when ideas are still floating between thought and paper, then work with them through product development all the way to Market introduction, which often takes up to a year.
That, however is from a project point of view. As buyers and locals, the Market experience is important to our business and to our local economy. High Point both needs and wants the energy that Market brings and opening that up year round would make a significant impact on our community and industry.” CB
#3 IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO HIGH POINT?
“Well of course it would be my ongoing love letter to High Point through our online magazine High Point Discovered. With our unique and unapologetically rose-colored perspective, we tell stories that empower those who are changing our city for good, inspire others to do the same, and cultivate a sense of pride. We are High Point’s storyteller.” CB
#4 WHAT BOOK IS ON YOUR COFFEE TABLE?
“In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney. My hope is that this book will inspire my daughter by osmosis; it’s filled with amazing and talented women whose stories I admire and respect. It’s a wonderful source of inspiration.” CB
#5 THEY SAY EVERYONE HAS A SUPER POWER. WHAT’S YOURS?
“Being an introvert: it leads to developing deep and meaningful relationships. How? I like to get into a deep conversation with one person rather than flutter from person to person. At an event, I prefer to enter a room quietly and read the energy and vibe before easing my way into a conversation, and I’d much rather hang out with an intimate group of friends over dinner than go out to a social event.” CB