The District of Design is pleased to announce that the Cleveland Furniture and Millwork Fair version 1.0 was an enormous success. The event, held July 14 and 15th at the Halle Building on Euclid, hosted 34 furniture makers, ranging from small contemporary artisan shops to traditional Amish furniture from Holmes County. Between the opening reception and the two-day fair, almost 350 visitors got a chance to view the finest In Northeast Ohio furniture right in the heart of downtown Cleveland.

In addition to the exhibition, organizers hosted 11 educational seminars on topics relevant to the furniture market, ranging from design trends, environmental stewardship and business development. The fair also offered a juried design competition, awarding honors in the categories including contemporary furniture, student work and dormitory furniture.

Feedback from the show has been overwhelmingly positive. About 96 percent of attendees said they would like to see the fair continue in 2011. Feedback from furniture makers was similarly positive. Said one exhibitor: “As a 30-year cabinet maker, I’ve been to my share of shows. Cleveland Furniture and Millwork Fair 1.0 though among the smaller, was by far the most stimulating.” In light of the response, organizers are moving forward with plans for an even bigger fair next fall. (more…)