Wednesday – Friday, September 21-23, 2022

An educational experience for the next generation of designers

Participants will meet, discuss ideas, and make connections with leaders in the furniture, textile, interior design, architecture, and product design professions. Through special seminars and design events, students will be empowered to reach the full height of their creative potential and learn from other creative genres in the industry. This is an opportunity to be equipped and prepared to enter the industry’s workforce and gain insight not obtainable in the classroom. Plus, a $5000 Scholarship will be awarded to one attending student based on parameters set forth by the Bienenstock Furniture Library Student Summit Committee.

A maximum of 40 students will be invited. Students must complete the application form to be considered. Students will be selected by the Bienenstock Furniture Library Student Summit Committee. More than one student per school CAN be chosen to attend. The Summit is free but students will need to provide their own transportation to and from the event.

The 2022 application process is now closed

Our Mission

The Future Designers Summit introduces the brightest young creative minds in college and university design programs to the people, brands, and processes that are creating tomorrow’s homes. It is a set of educational and networking opportunities designed to create an experience that inspires innovation in interior, furniture, and product design that draws from the rich legacy of these disciplines to shape a more beautiful, functional, and fulfilling future.

Our Keynote Speakers

Caroline Hipple

Caroline Hipple

Norwalk Furniture

Caroline is a born Virginian, an owner of a long career bringing beautiful things to the world in a business fashion. Atlanta, Georgia is now her home, though she commutes for her role as President of Norwalk Furniture to Ohio weekly. Prior to the role as President of Norwalk, Caroline founded HB2 Resources with a long-time partner to provide start-up, turn-around and brand advisory consulting to the home furnishings industry. Two previous leadership roles, as President of 72 store retail chain, Storehouse Furniture and EVP of 250 store This End Up furniture prepared Caroline and her partner to provide these consulting services. Caroline and 3 co-workers in both those companies chronicled their experiences promoting a “Culture of Caring” in their 2014 book, A Pathway to Profit (Amazon) which shares tangible methods for success in business by putting people first in the profit picture. Creating cultures that empower people while growing businesses has been a lifelong passion for Caroline. In addition, fostering opportunities for women and girls to learn leadership skills has been a focus of Caroline’s board work and philanthropy. Board service for Caroline includes 7 years on the Board of Governors at St. Catherine’s school in Richmond , Virginia (the only non-alumni, non-parent board member ever in the 100 year old school history), 4 years at the Atlanta Girls School, 20 years (And Founding board member) at WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today), the first female board member on the Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation board, and the Cathedral Counseling Center at St. Philip, For profit board service includes Guildmaster , a former home accents supplier to the home furnishings industry. Caroline’s education includes a BA in the History of Art from Hollins University, Executive studies at Wharton Evening School, various ongoing development business coursed, and is a graduate of the Education for Ministry program (Sewanee Seminary through the Episcopal Church). Caroline is devoted to her 6 Godchildren and three nieces and loves nature, golf, labs and swimming and adventuring around the world.

Caroline Hipple

Norwalk Furniture

Caroline is a born Virginian, an owner of a long career bringing beautiful things to the world in a business fashion. Atlanta, Georgia is now her home, though she commutes for her role as President of Norwalk Furniture to Ohio weekly. Prior to the role as President of Norwalk, Caroline founded HB2 Resources with a long-time partner to provide start-up, turn-around and brand advisory consulting to the home furnishings industry. Two previous leadership roles, as President of 72 store retail chain, Storehouse Furniture and EVP of 250 store This End Up furniture prepared Caroline and her partner to provide these consulting services. Caroline and 3 co-workers in both those companies chronicled their experiences promoting a “Culture of Caring” in their 2014 book, A Pathway to Profit (Amazon) which shares tangible methods for success in business by putting people first in the profit picture. Creating cultures that empower people while growing businesses has been a lifelong passion for Caroline. In addition, fostering opportunities for women and girls to learn leadership skills has been a focus of Caroline’s board work and philanthropy. Board service for Caroline includes 7 years on the Board of Governors at St. Catherine’s school in Richmond , Virginia (the only non-alumni, non-parent board member ever in the 100 year old school history), 4 years at the Atlanta Girls School, 20 years (And Founding board member) at WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today), the first female board member on the Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation board, and the Cathedral Counseling Center at St. Philip, For profit board service includes Guildmaster , a former home accents supplier to the home furnishings industry. Caroline’s education includes a BA in the History of Art from Hollins University, Executive studies at Wharton Evening School, various ongoing development business coursed, and is a graduate of the Education for Ministry program (Sewanee Seminary through the Episcopal Church). Caroline is devoted to her 6 Godchildren and three nieces and loves nature, golf, labs and swimming and adventuring around the world.

Jane Dagmi

Editor In Chief, Designers Today

‘How architecture, interior design, furniture design, product design, manufacturing and photography all work together and depend on each other in this industry’

Jane Dagmi is editor-in-chief of Designers Today and host of the brand’s SAID podcast. Since taking over in January 2018, her grassroots approach and desire to be in the trenches has helped grow readership and the magazine’s reputation for insightful, useful, and heartwarming content. Jane launched her editorial career at Hearst Magazines, and became one of Country Living’s most visible editors, writing columns, producing photoshoots across the country, and hitting all the trade shows and markets. Lots of freelance writing assignments followed as well as content development design-focused technology platforms. She graduated from Parsons with an AAS in Interior Design and has a B.A. in American Studies from Tufts University. A frequent panelist and moderator at industry events, Jane is also a High Point Market Authority board member.

Jane Dagmi

Patti Carpenter

Global Trend Ambassador

Trend Forecasting

Patti is Principal of carpenter + company/Trendscope and an award winning Creative Director in globally sourced home décor, personal accessories, fragrance and gifts. In her extensive experience in product design and development, she has designed, sourced and created strong Private Label collections for brands including Bloomingdales, Sferra, Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel. The Phillips Collection, ABC Carpet and Home, Yankee Candle, Donna Karan Urban Zen and Ralph Lauren. As a Micro-Enterprise specialist with U.S. presidential recognition for domestic and international expertise in artisan development, small producer and entrepreneurial training and economic development, Patti achieved success in international sourcing and wholesale, creating innovative products for her eponymous international home textile brand, carpenter + company. As a merchandising and color + trend forecasting expert, she has traveled and worked in fifty-seven countries and has spoken and written on Color + Trend and Design around the globe. In addition, Patti works as a trend consultant with Pantone and is the Global Trend Ambassador for Maison & Objet in America and Paris. She is an active board member of SERRV International.

Patti Carpenter

Participant Opportunities

  • Manufacturing Tours

  • Mentoring Sessions with Industry Professionals

  • Finishing Plant Tours

  • Textile Presentations

  • Opportunities for Networking

  • Architecture & Interior Design Seminars

  • Industry Trends Keynote

  • Manufacturing Keynote

  • Design Charrette/Team Building

Highlights from our 2021 Summit

How You Can Be Selected to Attend

Attendees will be chosen by student summit committee based on your:

  • Completed application form
  • Provided portfolio examples
  • Essay of What makes you an excellent candidate for the Summit

Sponsorship Request

We need your Support. Together, we will empower students to reach the full height of their creative potential and learn from other creative genres from the industry.

DIDEROT – $10,000 and above

  • 4 invites to Keynote Dinner event for team members
  • Image of CEO + website and all social media site icons listed on website
  • Logo will be presented first at the largest size
  • Blog post written by BFL about sponsor and their history in industry
  • An Ad on the Library’s Instagram feed and story + Facebook thanking for participation as a DIDEROT sponsor

CHIPPENDALE – $5,000.00

  • 2 invites to Keynote Dinner event for team members
  • Website + 2 social media sites listed on event website
  • Logo presented second at a smaller size.
  • Special call out on the Library’s Instagram feed, Instagram Story and Facebook page thanks for participation as a CHIPPENDALE sponsor.

SHERATON – $2500.00

  • 2 invites to Keynote Dinner event for team members
  • Website + 1 social media site listed on event website
  • Logo presented third at a smaller size
  • Call out on Library’s Instagram and Facebook pages thanking for participation as a SHERATON sponsor.

HEPPLEWHITE – $1000.00

  • One invite to the Keynote Dinner event for a team member
  • Website link only on the website Logo presented fourth at a smaller size.
  • Special call out on the Library’s Facebook page thanking them for their participation as a HEPPLEWHITE sponsor.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY – all donations under $1000.00

  • Name or Company Name listed on website, alphabetically

Here’s How

You can use our PayPal account to sponsor at any level.  For levels above $1,000 you will have to choose “Other” in the PayPal selection.  When using PayPal please add your information during checkout so we can acknowledge your continued support.




If you would like to pay by check, need an invoice, or have any other questions, please contact: Karla Jones at 336-883-4011 or executive-director@furniturelibrary.com

Sponsors