Sol Garay has taken the reins at BDI Furniture as it celebrates its 40th year in the industry, and her timely entrance as its new President corresponds with the opening of this year's Fall High Point Market, which begins this weekend. '2024 marks our 40th anniversary, and it's more than just a celebration of milestones—it's a reflection of the enduring partnerships that have helped shape BDI. Our journey is a testament to the idea that great design happens where function, innovation, and style come together,' she says.
BDI Furniture is a US-based modern furniture maker specialising in home entertainment, home office, and bedroom furniture, as well as tables, shelving, and mirrors. We interview Sol about the anniversary and future plans of the company.
Founder Bill Becker and new President Sol Garay.
Can you tell us more about the history of BDI Furniture and how it was founded?
'BDI was founded in 1984 by Bill Becker, our CEO and Design Director, who is an industrial designer passionate about blending design and function. Growing up in a mid-century modern home designed by his architect father, Bill was drawn to the combination of beauty and practicality from an early age. After graduating, Bill noticed that much great design was only available in exclusive showrooms, inaccessible to most people. He wanted to change that, so he set out to create a company that would provide thoughtfully designed, functional furniture to a broader audience—furniture that enhances everyday life.
As the company evolved, we expanded into home office furniture, which flourished during the work-from-home boom, and more recently, we've ventured into the bedroom category with tech-forward designs that fit today's connected lifestyles. As we celebrate our 40th year, our vision to make life easier, more organised and more enjoyable still drives everything we do.'
In what markets is the brand most active?
'You can find BDI products across the United States and Canada, primarily through home furnishings and consumer electronics retailers, as well as select online channels. We also have a distributor in the UK serving the European market and another in Australia, which helps us reach customers in that region. Additionally, we have a growing base of loyal design trade customers.'
How is the market right now, especially in the US?
'The home office market continues to be strong for us, even well after the pandemic. Many people are still searching for permanent work-from-home solutions, particularly in households with multiple remote workers. We've noticed a growing demand for multipurpose furniture—like side tables that double as laptop desks, consoles that serve as both a focal point and storage, or coffee tables with lift-tops that transform into workspaces. These clever solutions facilitate work areas beyond traditional home offices.
In home entertainment, multipurpose furniture is also becoming a trend. Media consoles are evolving from simple electronics storage to full storage credenzas and design statements. As streaming and gaming systems become sleeker, we're seeing a shift from bulky setups to more refined, minimalist designs that anchor the room.
The same trends are apparent in the bedroom. With our connected lifestyles, consumers expect more from their bedroom furniture. It's not just about aesthetics anymore; they want seamless ways to charge their devices without clutter. Our LINQ collection exemplifies this, offering smart features that blend beautifully with the design.'
You've recently been announced as President of the company. What are your plans for BDI Furniture in this leadership role?
'My top priorities will be to develop a robust growth strategy for the next three years that builds on our strengths and to strengthen relationships with our existing retailers, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive.
In addition to supporting our current partners, we'll focus on developing exciting new products and exploring new categories to keep BDI's offerings fresh and relevant. Building greater brand awareness with consumers will be essential, helping more people discover and appreciate the timeless design and superior functionality BDI brings to every product.
With so many exciting initiatives ahead, I feel fortunate to be part of such an innovative team, and I'm confident that together, we'll continue to achieve great things.'
High Point Market is just around the corner. What are your expectations for the fair?
'High Point Market in October is always a significant event for us, and we're especially excited about the launch of our Fall 2024 collection. It's shaping up to be a busy week, meeting with many of our existing retail and design trade partners. We are also expanding our Trade Program into a more robust offering, looking forward to connecting with new trade professionals who want to learn more about BDI and how our designs can enhance their projects.
Additionally, we're excited to be finalists for the Pinnacle Awards with three of our designs. It's an honor to be recognized for design excellence, and we can't wait to see how it all unfolds at the awards ceremony during the market.'
What will you be showing there?
'We've been thrilled by the positive response to our entry into bedroom furniture with the LINQ collection. At this High Point Market, we're expanding the LINQ line with a new upholstered storage bench, and we'll also introduce an exciting new bedroom collection, KAVA. Both bedroom collections will be complemented by our new Contour headboard cushions, an innovative solution that adds upholstered comfort and a chic look.
The home office category continues to grow for us, and Market visitors will see our bestsellers and our new adjustable side tables designed to meet the evolving needs of today's workspaces. We're also expanding our media and storage offerings with the introduction of the Elements collection, which features decorative door designs that make each piece a true statement for any room.
There's so much to explore this Fall at BDI, and we can't wait to welcome our retail and designer partners to our showroom at the IHFC, Design Center #724.'
Just before the fair, you'll launch a new Trade Program for interior designers and industry professionals. Can you tell us more about this?
'BDI has worked closely with designers for many years and has maintained a solid program to support them. However, we felt it was time to enhance our offerings. Our new Trade Program is designed to provide a more comprehensive set of tools and resources to help industry professionals meet their clients' evolving needs more effectively.'
More information:
BDI Furniture
[email protected]
www.bdiusa.com
US