The American Society of Furniture Designers announced that the Pinnacle judges met at High Point University's Norton Hall for a full day last week to select the finalists in this year's 14th Annual ASFD Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards.
“Despite the continued slump in furniture retail sales, ASFD and the Pinnacle Committee were encouraged by the breadth of this year’s entries,” said Steve Hodges, ASFD president who presided the judging along with Christine Evans, executive director. Katie Hatch, ASFD vice president serves as the 2009 Pinnacle Awards Chairperson.
Members of the distinguished panel were Dr. Richard Bennington, High Point University; Gary Evans, Furniture/Today; Ellen Gefen, Gefen Productions; Jackie Hirschhaut, AHFA; Sheila Long O'Mara, Home Furnishings Business; Linda Longo, Home Lighting & Accessories, Kip Pohlman, Otis College of Art & Design; Chuck Portaro, Furnitureland South; Dianne Ray, Garden City Furniture; Max Shangle, Kendall College of Art & Design; Julie Smith, former editor Furniture Style; and Steve Walker, NC State/Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center.
Furniture/Today serves as the Major Underwriter of the 2009 Pinnacle Awards. Editor in chief, Ray Allegrezza will serve as emcee at the Pinnacle Awards banquet which will be held at the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) ballroom on Monday evening, October 19 during the High Point Market. At that time, all Pinnacle Finalists will be recognized and the winners announced. Invitation and registration information will be forthcoming during the next few weeks.
The 2009 Pinnacle Awards sponsors are AkzoNobel, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Elmo Leather, Furniture Design Studios, High Point Market Authority, Hafele America Inc., Hickory Springs Mfg., Home Furnishings Business, Home Lighting & Accessories, International Home Furnishings Center and Leggett & Platt.
Following are the 2009 Pinnacle Finalists listed in alphabetical order under each Pinnacle Category:
Occasional Tables
- Lexicon Drink Table, Shaun Melvin, ASFD for Baker Furniture
- Milan Crescent Base Side Table, William Faber for Century Furniture
- Palomar Round Bunching Cocktail, Berry & Clark Design Associates for Bernhardt Furniture
Occasional Storage
- Lexicon Tower Etagere, Shaun Melvin, ASFD for Baker Furniture
- Loft Table & Pot/Plate Rack, Pamela Merritt and Donna Dill for DesignSolutions, Inc.
- Metro Black, Valerie Schmieder, ASFD and Matthew Maher, ASFD for LOFT 102 For the Home
Youth Furniture
- Artsycraftsy! Arlette Mulford, ASFD, Jonah Staw, Arielle
- Eckstut for Powell Company, Inc.
- Base Camp, Mike Warren, ASFD and Shannon Lookabill for Stanley Furniture Company
- Reflections, Abigail Eaton, ASFD and W. Dudley Moore, Jr. for Lea Industries
Casual Dining
- Bonita, Michael Wolk, ASFD for Allan Copley
- Lexicon Guild Arm and Side Chair, Shaun Melvin, ASFD for Baker Furniture
- Veer, John Caldwell, ASFD for Tropitone Furniture Company
Formal Dining
- Alston, Tim L. Annas, ASFD for Kincaid Furniture Co., Inc.
- Milan Dining, William Faber for Century Furniture
- Palomar Dining, Berry & Clark Design Associates for Bernhardt Furniture
Motion Upholstery
- Aurora, Rick Lee for American Leather.
- Gilbert, Michael Wolk, ASFD for American Leather
- Sogno DreamWave, Toshiyuki Kita for Inada USA
Stationary Upholstery
- Bergen II Chair, Joe Ruggiero for Miles Talbott Furniture
- Cooper Lounge Chair & Chaise, Michael Wolk, ASFD for Della Robbia
- Giselle Sectional, Michael Wolk, ASFD for Carter
Leather Upholstery
- Bamboo/Rattan Chair, Glenn Yelvington and Joel Cadampog for Maitland-Smith
- Grisham Sofa, Amy Archer for American Leather
- Springfield Sofa & Chair, Amy Archer for American Leather
Accessories
- Birch Forest Wall Decor, Allan H. Palecek for Palecek
- Bloomin’ Onion Vase, Jeremy Penn for The Phillips Collection
- Galvanized Wall Circles, Jason Phillips, ASFD and Julie Phillips for The Phillips Collection
Lighting
- Formae Contemporary, George Chandler, ASFD; David Martin, ASFD; Charles Camacho, ASFD for Hubbardton Forge
- Hallie Wall Sconce, Pasquale Miranda for Murray Feiss
- Ikebana Sphere Lamp, Allan H. Palecek for Palecek
Home Office
- Adagio, Ken Levi, ASFD and Andy Nielsen, ASFD for aspenhome
- Milan Writing Desk, William Faber for Century Furniture
- Ventura, Mike Warren, ASFD & Shannon Lookabill for Loft 102 For the Home
Entertainment Centers/Home Theater
- Bamboo T.V. Cabinet, Paul Fihn and Manee Meepanya for The Phillips Collection
- Metro Black, Valerie Schmieder, ASFD and Matthew Maher, ASFD for Loft 102 For the Home
- Young Classics Tailor, Ken Levi, ASFD and Andy Nielsen, ASFD for aspenhome
Summer/Casual
- Latour Lounge Chair, Shaun Sweeney, ASFD for Woodard Furniture
- Luxe 30 Club Chair, Paul E. Rogers for O.W. Lee Co.
- Sirocco, Richard Holbrook for Brown Jordan
Bedroom
- Bonita, Michael Wolk, ASFD for Allan Copley
- Grove Collection, Curt Christian for Martin Home Furnishings
- Kemperton Envision, Mark Tucker III, ASFD for Hooker Furniture
Major Collections
- Black Ice, Troy Hollis, ASFD for Lexington Home Brands
- Destination, Jena Hall, ASFD; Brent Camfferman, ASFD & aspenhome Design Team for aspenhome
- Paula Deen Home, Otto & Moore, Inc. Design Team for Universal Furniture