Palm Springs, California, offers an otherworldly landscape, nourished by strong sun and a blanket of stars, which makes it the ideal locale to ignite fresh design inspiration. Just ask the nearly 70 designers and manufacturers who convened at Interior Design‘s latest re:Source event to connect, share design insights, and learn about product innovation February 9-11, 2025.
Hosted at the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs, ThinkLab‘s Erica Waayenberg, head of research and content development, kicked off the three-day event by sharing pivotal insights into how clients make design decisions. “Decision-making in design projects is no longer linear” she noted. “It’s become a complex, group-based process involving multiple stakeholders with different priorities.” Balancing data-driven justifications with emotional elements and brand alignment is increasingly a priority. From showcasing real world examples to arming clients with knowledge to “sell” their decision to internal stakeholders, the role of a designer continues to evolve, asserted Waayenberg.
re:Source attendees enjoying a hike in the desert. Photography by Tiffany Brieve.
Throughout re:Source, designers and manufacturers took part in informative but brief meetings, exchanging ideas and learning about novel products all while enjoying the striking Palm Springs landscape. “Coming from NYC, it was my first time seeing the sun in months!” shares attendee Aida Muhibic, architectural designer at Pelli Clarke & Partners. Known for effortlessly mixing work and play, this re:Source event was no exception. Beyond structured design chats, attendees took part in wellness activities including yoga, a desert hike, and visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Not to mention time to unwind over cocktails and decadent meals.
“This experience was so invaluable, allowing me to walk away with great insights on top-of-the-line products for my projects,” continues Muhibic. “Networking and even learning from other attendees allowed me to have more insight into the interior design world that I am trying to break into with my architectural background.” Echoing that sentiment, Ed Berowski, VP of sales at Garrett Leather, said the connections formed at re:Source are only the beginning. “It was truly a great event,” he said. “I believe the contacts that I met and conversations that we had will produce great opportunities & outcomes.” Cheers to that!
Highlights From re:Source 2025 in Palm Springs, California
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A very special thank you to our re:Source event partners: Woodard Furniture/ Craftmade; Milliken; Versteel; Unika Vaev; Infinity Drain; Brown Jordan; Garden on the Wall; B+N Industries; Parla; MPS Acoustics; Arktura; Pure + Freeform; Chemetal; Accurate Lock and Hardware; Craftmade; Mizetto; Feeney, Inc.; Garrett Leather; Rockfon; Mohawk Group; Santa & Cole; DARRAN; Dedon; Nichiha USA; Gandia Blasco Group; REGUPOL Commercial; Turf; Ultrafabrics; Four Hands; Gloster; Williams-Sonoma, Inc. B2B; CR Laurence. The logo for the event was generously sponsored by Material Bank.