August 28, 2026 – Howard Elliott

We’re celebrating a milestone! Season 10 of our Show Us Your Howard Elliott Design Contest is officially here, and we’re once again inviting our talented customers and partners to show us how they bring Howard Elliott products to life.

For ten seasons, Show Us Your Howard Elliott has given designers, retailers, showroom teams, hospitality professionals, and other members of the design community an opportunity to share their creativity and inspire us with the spaces they create.

More than a design competition, this contest is about celebrating the partnerships behind great design. Every submission gives us an opportunity to spotlight your work through Howard Elliott’s social media and marketing channels, introducing your projects and your business to an even wider audience.

How It Works

We want to see how you use Howard Elliott!

Submit photos featuring Howard Elliott products in your design projects, showroom displays, retail spaces, hospitality installations, and more. Whether it’s one statement-making piece or an entire space filled with Howard Elliott, we want to see your creativity at work.

Deadline to Enter: October 9, 2026
Winners Announced: October 17, 2026
How to Enter: Email your photos and project details to bcassidy@howardelliott.com with “Design Contest” in the subject line.

Prizes

First Place: $250 American Express Gift Card
Runner-Up: $100 Howard Elliott Credit

Winning projects will also receive special recognition during High Point Market. Winners will be announced on October 17, 2026, and images of their designs will be displayed throughout the Howard Elliott showroom, giving Market guests a chance to see and celebrate their work in person.

Meet the Season 10 Judges

To help us celebrate our tenth season, we’re bringing together three industry professionals whose experience spans merchandising, marketing, product development, and the home furnishings industry.

Whitney Atkinson

Founder, CEO & Inventor, WUGS and Willows

Whitney Atkinson brings an entrepreneurial and product-focused perspective to this year’s judging panel. As the Founder, CEO, and Inventor behind WUGS and Willows, Whitney understands what it takes to develop a creative idea, build a brand around it, and create products that solve a need while making an impact in the home.

Serena Martin

CEO & Marketing Maven, 24/7 Creative Agency

As CEO and Marketing Maven of 24/7 Creative Agency, Serena Martin brings a storyteller’s eye to the judging panel. Her experience in marketing and creative strategy gives her a unique perspective on the way thoughtful design, strong visual presentation, and compelling storytelling can work together to make a project memorable.

Jodi Probst

Merchandising Director, Furniture First National Buying Group

Jodi Probst brings extensive home furnishings and merchandising expertise to Season 10. As Merchandising Director for Furniture First National Buying Group, Jodi works closely with the products, retailers, and trends shaping today’s home furnishings industry, bringing an invaluable retail perspective to this year’s contest.

Your Design Could Be on Display at High Point Market

One of our favorite parts of Show Us Your Howard Elliott has always been getting the opportunity to share the incredible work our customers are creating.

This year, we’re taking that celebration even further.

When the Season 10 winners are announced on October 17 at High Point Market, their project images will be featured throughout the Howard Elliott showroom – IHFC H324. It’s our way of putting the spotlight where it belongs, on the talented people who use our products to create spaces that are uniquely their own.

Why Enter?

When you submit a project to Show Us Your Howard Elliott, you’re doing more than entering a contest. You’re opening the door to cross-promotion, social media exposure, marketing opportunities, and industry recognition.

Your project may be featured across Howard Elliott’s social media and marketing channels, allowing us to celebrate your creativity while helping introduce your work to our customers, designers, retailers, sales representatives, and industry partners.

After ten seasons, one thing hasn’t changed: we love seeing where Howard Elliott ends up.

From a beautifully styled retail floor to a dramatic hospitality installation or a designer’s finishing touch in a client’s home, every project tells a different story, and we can’t wait to see yours.

Ready to show us your Howard Elliott?

Submit your photos and project details to bcassidy@howardelliott.com with “Design Contest” in the subject line by October 9, 2026.

Then follow along as we announce our Season 10 winners on October 17 at High Point Market!

Insights from Howard Elliott President Brian Berk at High Point Market

The home furnishings industry is no stranger to uncertainty. From shifting consumer spending habits to economic and geopolitical challenges, manufacturers, retailers, and designers are constantly adapting to new realities.

During a recent conversation with Home Accents Today’s Allison Zisko at High Point Market, Howard Elliott President Brian Berk shared his perspective on today’s market conditions, emerging consumer trends, and how technology is helping companies navigate an increasingly complex landscape.

Consumers Continue to Invest in Their Homes

Conventional wisdom suggests that during uncertain economic times, consumers often gravitate toward smaller purchases that provide immediate satisfaction without requiring a significant financial commitment. According to Berk, that trend is playing out across the home furnishings industry today.

“When we’re spending more money filling up our gas tanks and dealing with uncertainty, people tend to nest,” Berk explained.

At Howard Elliott, that behavior is showing up in order patterns. While larger-ticket items such as decorative mirrors, artwork, and accent furniture remain important categories, the company is seeing increased volume in accessories and smaller décor pieces.

Consumers are still investing in their homes—they’re simply doing so in ways that feel more accessible. Decorative accessories, trays, vessels, sculptures, and accent pieces allow homeowners to refresh a space without undertaking a major redesign.

Resilience in the Face of Headwinds

While economic concerns continue to create challenges across many industries, Berk believes the home furnishings sector has developed a certain resilience through years of navigating disruption.

“We can’t control the outcome of these situations,” he noted. “But we’ve become a little resilient to these headwinds.”

Rather than focusing on factors outside their control, successful businesses are concentrating on what they can influence: customer service, product development, operational efficiency, and strategic planning.

That mindset has created what Berk describes as a sense of “cautious optimism” throughout the industry. Companies continue to invest, innovate, and prepare for future growth while remaining mindful of current market realities.

AI Is Transforming the Home Furnishings Industry

One of the most exciting developments Berk discussed was the growing role of artificial intelligence throughout the product lifecycle.

Historically, the home furnishings industry has been slower than many sectors to adopt new technologies. However, that is rapidly changing.

At Howard Elliott, AI is being incorporated into multiple stages of the company’s go-to-market strategy, including:

Product development
Photography and imagery
Product copy creation
Operational efficiencies
Customer search and discovery tools

The goal isn’t simply to adopt technology for technology’s sake. Instead, AI is being used to streamline processes, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ultimately create a better experience for customers.

“Technology is growing, and we’re implementing it where it’s most helpful to customers and our staff,” Berk said.

Making Product Discovery Easier

One of the most practical examples of AI implementation at Howard Elliott is the company’s enhanced website search functionality.

The AI-powered search engine helps customers find products more intuitively, whether they’re searching for a specific style, color, texture, or visual inspiration.

Imagine discovering a fabric, finish, or color palette you love. Rather than trying to describe it with keywords, users can upload an image and quickly find products with similar colors, textures, and design characteristics.

The technology also helps customers identify alternative products when an item is unavailable, improving both the shopping experience and customer service process.

For designers and retailers managing projects under tight timelines, tools like these can dramatically simplify product sourcing and specification.

Education Remains Critical

While AI continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, Berk believes education is just as important as technology itself.

At High Point Market, Howard Elliott hosted educational programming focused on helping designers better understand emerging technologies and how they can be applied to their businesses.

What’s particularly interesting is how quickly the AI landscape is changing. According to industry experts, many of the tools and strategies being discussed today didn’t even exist six months ago.

As designers become more comfortable with these technologies, they’re discovering practical ways to incorporate AI into everything from concept development and visualization to marketing and client communication.

Looking Ahead

Despite ongoing uncertainty, the outlook for the home furnishings industry remains encouraging.

Consumers continue to invest in their homes. Retailers continue to adapt. Designers continue to seek new tools and resources. And manufacturers continue to find innovative ways to serve their customers more effectively.

For Howard Elliott, that means balancing creativity with technology, maintaining strong customer partnerships, and embracing tools that improve both efficiency and the customer experience.

While market conditions may fluctuate, one thing remains constant: companies willing to adapt, innovate, and focus on delivering value will be best positioned to succeed.

As Berk summarized, the key is working harder, working smarter, and staying prepared for whatever comes next.