During Spring High Point Market, Mary Beth Chau, co-founder and CEO of Materio, and Anastasia Casey, founder of the podcast The Interior Collective, co-hosted an intimate dinner at the Proximity Hotel for interior designers and trade consultants—an evening for stepping back from the energy of Market and focusing on reflection, connection and meaningful growth.
The night was anchored by a spirit of intentionality that both hosts have long championed in their respective work. Chau, who has built Materio around helping design firms scale with purpose, and Casey, whose Design Camp guides designers through the
strategic and operational realities of running a successful firm, planned every element of the get-together to move guests beyond the transactional energy of High Point.
During cocktail hour, attendees gathered around a custom floral experience by Domain of the Flowerings founder Tricia Paoluccio, a multimedia artist known for collaborating with Oscar de la Renta on the whimsical floral gown Taylor Swift wore to the 2021 Grammy Awards. Paoluccio also designed the custom runner, napkins and tablecloth for the evening, complementing the hotel’s sprightly flower arrangements. Adding a personal touch, she wrapped the chairs in silk floral scarves of her own design, and each one was gifted to attendees as a keepsake.
The evening closed with a quieter, more contemplative ritual. Chau invited guests to pick up their pens and turn to the custom pressed-floral cards Paoluccio had been hand-finishing throughout dinner. With plates cleared and the room stilled, guests were guided to set intentions for professional ambitions and personal goals. An unexpected highlight: Paoluccio, who is also an actress and singer, shared the story of recently realizing her dream to play her idol Dolly Parton onstage, and—upon the request of the entire dinner party—sang a moving rendition of “Jolene” that brought everyone to their feet.
“In a world where technology moves fast, I’m constantly looking for ways to prioritize real human connection,” said Chau. “We wanted to go beyond a beautiful dinner to create an experience where guests could form meaningful connections, gain a new perspective, and walk away with something lasting.”
Casey echoed the sentiment: “For me, it’s about creating space for designers to step away from the day-to-day and think more intentionally about how they want to grow. This was a chance to bring that mindset into an intimate, shared setting.”
Guests received a copy of a book that influenced Chau’s own business goals, Matt Cooke’s Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation, as well as samples of elegant floral wallpaper designed by Paoluccio. Everyone left with new connections, a fresh perspective, and a handmade card as a tangible reminder of the memorable evening of community, creativity and reflection.
