Karla Jones has been associated with the Bienenstock Furniture Library since 1987, when she first met its co-founder, Sandy Bienenstock. Jones is a graduate of Randolph Community College with a degree in interior design. With over 35 years in the furnishings industry, Jones uses her organizational and leadership skills to work with board members to maintain the library, its resources, collection and programs. She spoke with us about her stewardship of hundreds of years of furniture design history and how the Library supports future designers.
What do you hope visitors feel when they walk through the doors of the Library?
I hope visitors feel a desire to explore the history of furniture and learn something new and inspiring.
For people who may not be familiar with it, what makes the Bienenstock Furniture Library unique?
The Bienenstock Furniture Library is a special library that focuses on one industry. We are the largest library dedicated to the home furnishings industry. We are a research and resource library with over 5,000 volumes on furniture design and history, interior design, textiles, decorative arts and furniture materials and construction. Our oldest book dates to 1543!
What first sparked your interest in interior design and the furniture industry?
During my junior year of high school, I enrolled in an interior design class. I knew from that moment I wanted to do something creative.
You’ve been connected with the library for many years – what keeps you passionate about the work?
It brings me great joy to see design students experience the library for the first time. It’s like a lightbulb goes off and they understand the importance of knowing the history of furniture and design and how important that knowledge will be during their career.
How has your background in interior design influenced the way you lead the library?
My background and knowledge of furniture and design enables me to use the library’s resources to help others in the design world complete their research. Having worked and built a career in the same industry I serve has been very beneficial.
High Point is known as the Furniture Capital of the World. How does the library contribute to that reputation?
What better city than the Furniture Capital of the World to house a world-class research library on furniture history? We are here to preserve furniture history and keep it alive for all those with a love of design. You can attend High Point Market to see what is the latest and greatest design, and you can visit the Bienenstock Furniture Library while you are in town to remind yourself of the great designers and designs of the past!
How can the Library stay relevant in an increasingly digital world?
Our tag line at the library is ‘Touch History…Design the Future’. To be inspired and create the next great design, you must look to the past and understand the history of furniture design and the great cabinetmakers of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. You can view books online in the comfort of your own home, but nothing compares to holding a book in your hand that was published in the 1500s! Part of the creative process involves doing research, looking at original etchings and drawings and allowing that to channel into your own designs. By preserving this collection, we are providing that experience for designers. Since 1970, we have been providing an opportunity for growth, knowledge and creativity for designers in a place that values its resources. We hope to be inspiring the home furnishings industry for another 56 years!
Please tell me a bit about the annual Student Design Competition the library holds.
The founders of the Bienenstock Furniture Library, Sandy and Bernice Bienenstock, were passionate about supporting students in the home furnishings industry. By investing in students, we feel we are investing in the future of the home furnishings industry. We host the Bienenstock Design Competition, which consists of two categories: interior design and furniture design. This competition is held once a year and awards $15,000 in scholarship monies. Our scholarship program has been in place since 1984. Our competition is open to any junior or senior in college majoring in a design-related field. First-place winners in each category receive $5,000, second-place winners in each category receive $1,500, and the third-place winners receive $1,000 to use within their programs. We are SO proud of the investment we are making through this student program!
FOR FUN:
What is your favorite place to eat in High Point? 98 Asian Bistro.
What T.V. show are you currently watching? Victoria on Netflix. I am loving all the period clothing.
What is the next book you want to check out at the Library? Hope Rises by David Baldacci
