Traveling enables the Trend Funnel™ Product Scout Team to perform primary research within a trend and see first-hand how culture, climate, geographical location, religion and history drastically
affect architecture and design. Without travel, how could we research the trend’s history, learn about amazing local home furnishings and décor products, touch and experience the city’s culture, see the beautiful architecture and interior design of local homes? Trend Funnel™ has embraced the conviction that travel inspires us. It is in the locations we visit that a Trend comes to life. Okay… we’ll also admit that we’re suckers for a road trip…
In researching the Trend Funnel™ Seacoast Cottage trend, we toured the Carolina Coast. We visited Bald Head Island, The Wrightsville Beach Museum and surrounding communities. We wanted to facilitate primary research for this product; to hear, see, feel, taste and touch cottage life along the coast. We asked questions like, “Why the long hallway? Why the heart pine floor Why the soft blue, green and white paint colors? Why the wrap-around porches?” We got more answers than we bargained for and we’re excited to present great products.
The Trend Funnel™ team boarded the passenger ferry to North Carolina’s southernmost cape island, and like they warned us - we were transported to a new state of mind. A true coastal cottage
island - one of relaxation, recreation, serenity and security.
The entire island has adopted a way of life that honors simple seaside pleasures, and a pace that places a premium on downtime with family and friends. We jumped on the electric cart they provided for our tour (the only vehicles for residential transportation on the island) and we were off to explore one of the most relaxing, refreshing and exhilarating coastal communities in the world.
On a beautiful January day, the Trend Funnel team visited The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. This museum is housed in a quaint, white cottage in Wrightsville Beach. We discovered that the museum is actually the turn of the century Myers Cottage, preserved with historical perfection. The Museum is designed to reflect how life was lived in a typical home on the Beach, and throughout the community.
We felt like we took a step back in time - to a time in history when cottages first emerged - to accommodate functionality, unpredictable weather and a simple way of life.
