How Wholesale Furniture Collections Are Built for Designers

Have you ever wondered how a furniture piece actually makes its way from an idea to a showroom floor?

In this episode of Resilient by Design, Rebecca sits down with Jennifer Dewhirst, Director of Brand and Merchandising at Dovetail Furniture, for a behind-the-scenes look at how wholesale furniture collections are created for the design industry.

Jennifer shares what it really takes to develop new collections twice a year, how Dovetail balances trend-forward design with timeless pieces, and why quality craftsmanship still matters when designers are sourcing for their clients.

Rebecca and Jennifer also explore the differences between European and North American furniture preferences, the current return of warmer wood tones and traditional silhouettes, and how designers can think about trends without creating spaces that feel dated too quickly.

This conversation offers designers a rare peek behind the curtain at the product development, merchandising, travel, sourcing, and creative decision-making that happens long before a piece lands in a showroom.

For designers, sourcing furniture is about more than selecting something beautiful. It’s about understanding quality, longevity, client lifestyle, and whether a piece supports the overall story of the room. Jennifer’s advice is simple and strong: every room needs a point of view, and the pieces around it should support that story without competing with it.

This episode is especially helpful for interior designers who want to better understand wholesale sourcing, furniture trends, and how to make smarter product selections for their clients.

Episode Highlights

How Dovetail develops wholesale furniture collections for High Point Market
Why some furniture pieces stay in a collection for 10 to 15 years
The difference between trendy and timeless furniture
What designers should look for when assessing quality and craftsmanship
Why medium brown wood tones, traditional silhouettes, and richer colors are making a comeback
How European furniture preferences differ from North American buying habits
Why designers should visit showrooms and markets in person when possible
How regional design preferences influence wholesale furniture collections
The importance of creating rooms with a clear point of view

Episode REsources

This episode is sponsored by Dovetail.

May 26, 2026

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Please read all of the terms and conditions set forth below. The Winter Designer Winter Designer Retreat is offered subject to our standard terms and conditions, set forth below. Upon purchase with Rebecca Hay Designs Inc., you are deemed to be accepting all “Terms and Conditions.”

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Although it's unlikely, Rebecca Hay Designs Inc. reserves the right to cancel any Winter Designer Retreat at any time for any reason determined at our sole discretion, including too few participants, or if the quality of the Winter Designer Retreat or the safety of the participants is deemed by Rebecca Hay Designs Inc. to be compromised. In such a case, a refund of payments received from Winter Designer Retreat reservations shall constitute a full and final settlement and release of all claims against us. In the event of cancellation, Rebecca Hay Designs Inc. is not responsible for any loss incurred on account of non-refundable or non-transferable air tickets or other unrecoverable travel costs.

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