Willing design by Jeremy Maher
Groovystuff announced that it recently recognized Jeremy Maher from Appalachian State University and Suyin Li from Auburn University for their innovative contributions to the home furnishings industry by placing first in their categories in the Groovystuff Design Challenge at the High Point Market April 2-7, 2011.
Jeremy competed against 23 other undergraduates from the Industrial Design Department at Appalachian State University to design an environmentally-friendly product that reflects the Dick Idol brand and can be produced using sustainable manufacturing practices. Each student from ASU produced miniature models for the 2010 Fall High Point Market where a popular vote was taken on the student designs. Lee Beatrous won the popular vote at the October market, and won $500 for his design of the “Stasis Coffee Table,” but Jeremy Maher was the ultimate winner with the most in written orders at market. According to Chris Bruning, President of Groovystuff, “Sales are where the rubber meets the road, and our goal is to provide these graduates with a platform that encourages them to embrace the home furnishings industry.”
Mr. Maher placed first in actual written orders at the Spring High Point Market for the “Balance End Table” that retails for $499.99, and will be rewarded with $1,000 cash, inclusion in the exclusive and celebrity endorsed Dick Idol Collections Brand of home furnishings, AND permanent royalties for life. According to Maher, “This design incorporates the rustic feel of the Dick Idol and Groovystuff brands into a contemporary interpretation. While the base utilizes reclaimed teak wagon wheel parts and an antique plow is used for the decorative handle and center support, the top is milled clean, giving definition to an otherwise organic form. Lastly, my interpretation illustrates the illusion of a floating top. The table is cantilevered, creating more negative space and visual interest.”
Suyin Li from Auburn University placed first in the popular vote from attendees at the High Point Market for designing “Green Fall,” a contemporary coffee table utilizing the teak-wood flooring component from the Groovystuff line. According to Ms. Li, “The Green Fall coffee table was inspired by the forms and shapes found in the trees around us all.” Ms. Li will be rewarded with $500 cash, and will be one of the finalists at the 2011 Fall High Point market in October where she will compete with the other popular vote designs from Auburn University for the grand prize to the Groovystuff Challenge; $1,000 cash, inclusion in the Dick Idol Legends brand of home furnishings, and permanent royalties for life.
Committed to sustainable manufacturing and environmental accountability, Groovystuff’s vision is to assist its retail customers in growing their businesses sustainably. Designed for today’s lifestyles and inspired by yesterday’s antiquities, Groovystuff now offers Seven unique residential collections: Prairie, Iron Horse, Adirondack, Back to the Roots, Kodiak, Rocky Mountain, and the recently launched Antares Lighting Collection. Each group features pieces designed with the foundation of style, value, longevity and preservation of natural resources.
Founded in 1998 by Chris Bruning, Groovystuff designs, produces, and distributes unique reclaimed teakwood home furnishings at upper-medium and high-end price points. Based in Dallas, it has permanent showrooms in High Point, NC (The Suites at Market Square, G-1043), Las Vegas (World Market Center, B-146), and once a year at the International Casual Furniture Market in Chicago, IL (The Merchandise Mart, No. 8-9036AFor more information, please visit www.groovystuff.com.