Endless Options, One Showroom: The Trade Connection

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The Trade Connection, a refined to-the-trade furniture showroom, opened on the second floor of the Indiana Design Center in September 2010.

The Trade Connection offers multiple lines of fine furniture, lighting and accessories ranging in price points for the top-of-the-line to budget-friendly.  “Some designers need to focus a majority of their budget on one room to make that spectacular and then they need to be a little bit more cost-conscious for other rooms while still being stylish,” Owner Mark Chestnut said.  “That’s what we cater to here.”  To add to the diversity of products represented in his showroom, Chestnut travels to furniture markets throughout the year to find specialty and boutique product lines to offer his professional design clientele.  The Trade Connection sells national lines including Lee Industries, Pearson, Hickory Chair, Henredon, Drexel Heritage, Marge Carson, Habersham, Lorts, Bolier, and EJ Victor for upholstery and a host of equal quality case goods manufacturers.

The showroom is also proud to be the only provider of the Ralph Lauren Home Collection in the state of Indiana.  They are one of only six showrooms approved to sell the revered line.  “I think that speaks volumes for what we are and what we do,” Chestnut said.  “It says that the design community really holds our business in high esteem.” The Trade Connection also takes pride in its personal service and dedication to serving the needs of the design community in both quality and quantity of products offered.

Mark Chestnut founded the business in 2004 after noticing a need for a furniture resource for designers.  He had worked for a designer for 25 years and saw the opportunity to fill a void in the design community.  “I wanted to provide a lot of different lines and styles,” he said.  “I felt there was a lack of contemporary providers in the area and I set out to provide those lines to the people who desired this style.”  Iconic lines such as Thayer Coggin, Directional, Swaim, Calligaris and DIA are just a few of the vendors available.

The Indiana Design Center was the perfect choice for a trade-centered business like The Trade Connection. “The concept was a good one,” Chestnut said.  “It’s centered around home-related vendors in the area and supported by the Carmel Art and Design District.”  Chestnut also said the timing was right for a place like this.  “With the economy being so fickle, it made sense to have the design community and likeminded businesses gather together under one roof,” he said.  The Trade Connection has seen an increase in sales and traffic as a result of moving into the building and they hope it continues with an increased awareness of Indiana Design Center.  “The building has been well-received and I always hear a lot of complements from the Sales Representatives who are eager to share their experience with others,” he said.  “It is a delight to see the expression on the faces of the design community when they discover what the IDC has to offer.  Chestnut believes this location will be great for his business, as well as the design community at large.  “It is great to be a part of the verve and energy here amongst the tenants and customers.  We all tout each other’s offerings seeing as it benefits the community as a whole.”

The Trade Connection is located in Suite 225 on the second floor of the Indiana Design Center.  Contact Mark Chestnut at (317) 575-6122 for more information.  Visit the Indiana Design Center’s website or stop by 200 South Rangeline Road to discover more of what the IDC has to offer.  For more information regarding the Indiana Design Center, contact concierge at (317) 569-5975 or at conceierge@indianadesigncenter.com.

An Inside Look at Outré

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Outré, a third-generation Indiana furniture company, was the third showroom to open at the Indiana Design Center in May 2010.  The second floor showroom features Metric custom cabinetry by Jason Myers and furniture by Outré.

Owner Eric Reynolds was born into the furniture industry.  His grandfather founded a furniture manufacturing plant in 1971. The business is now run by his father. “When I was about seven, I would go in to the manufacturing plant with my father and run around on Saturdays, maybe when I was even younger,” Reynolds said.  “I’ve been around fabrics and textiles my entire life.”  After earning a marketing degree at Butler University, Reynolds preferred working with people in sales rather than the intricacies of the manufacturing process.  “I really found a calling to sell something that was more meaningful to me.  Every piece of furniture that I sell means that the people that I grew up around can stay in business,” Reynolds said.  He decided to found Outré as a retail sales showroom for his father’s business in 2008.  Since then, Outré has shifted to work primarily with interior designers to create original custom upholstery pieces to fit the needs of the design client.

The family stitch runs through each and every one of Reynolds’ furniture designs.  Outré gives each creation a personality and a name.  From Olivia – a curvy lounge -to Todd – a simple and straight-lined couch – each piece of furniture has a backstory.  “Of course, it really takes on whatever personality that the customer wants even though we have our own story of what we think it means,” Reynolds said.  “With a different fabric, a design can change from being the center of attention to something that blends in with its environment.”

Addie will “Have you at Hello!”

Dee & Troy paired nicely together.

Kick your feet up with Ben.

Evan is high-backed but not high-minded.

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Reynolds hopes his business does anything but blend in.  “The meaning of our name, Outré, really says it all.  We are unique, bizarre, out of the ordinary, and occasionally off-the-wall” he said.  The mission of the business is to push the limits of form and function while meeting the needs of the client in a way that inspires them to express their creativity. “I want people to walk in to a home where one of the pieces are and ask where their furniture came from,” Reynolds said.  “I want people to talk about these pieces.”

Outré aims to be the embodiment of Indiana design.  While at the Indiana Design Center, the business has collaborated with many tenants including Holder Mattress, The Trade Source and Walter Knabe Studios.  “Right now I think there is a good synergy in the building,” Reynolds said.  Reynolds said that the interactions and exposure to the design community has benefitted his business.  “With a few exceptions, we aren’t chain businesses,” Reynolds said.  “We’re all entrepreneurs trying to grow our own business and we all think in the same ways, having that community around benefits us all.”

A Look Into Holder Mattress

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Founded in 1947, Holder Mattress is a family business at heart.  The third generation mattress and home accessories showroom opened on the first floor of the Indiana Design Center in February of 2011.

A Family Focus Since 1947

 Lauren Taylor, President and Owner of Holder Mattress, was born into the business.  “My first job was with this company,” she said.  “I used to thread bobbins for the quilter when I was little.”  The business was originally her grandfather’s.  He opened Holder Mattress shortly after returning from World War II in order to support the family. Holder began by repairing mattresses with his brothers and eventually expanded to manufacture them as well.  For Lauren Taylor, the decision to get involved with the family business was instinctual.  She spent a summer in college working for the company and never looked back.  “I just fell in love with it,” she said.  “I didn’t want to leave.”  Her grandfather’s ideals are close to her heart.  “I hope to maintain the integrity of what my grandfather set out to do,” she said, “which is to provide quality mattresses that will last longer because they are built better.”

The Holder Hallmark

Holder Mattress is dedicated to creating hand-crafted and custom-made, two-sided mattresses and box springs to suit the customer’s needs.  Attention to detail and craftsmanship assures the Holder Mattress Factory standard of quality that has become notable throughout central Indiana.  “I’m proud that in almost 64 years of business, not once have we sacrificed quality,” Taylor said.  “I’m incredibly proud of the integrity of the product that we offer.”  The design center location also features the Holder Mattress Home Collection of furniture and accessories that coincide with the standard of quality and functionality associated with the Holder name.  “When it started out, we were just a mattress store,” Taylor said.  “We’ve expanded into all aspects of the home now.”

Holder Mattress and Indiana Design

Holder Mattress is a classic example of Indiana design.  Their location at the Indiana Design Center has allowed them to continue to expand the reach of Holder Mattress in central Indiana.  Taylor said, “I don’t know how you could walk in to the Indiana Design Center and not think this is a good place for your business to be.”

Learn More

Holder Mattress is located within the Indiana Design Center in Suite 119.  To learn more visit their website or view their IDC portfolio.