The Berkshire Hathaway Inc. furniture companies – Jordan’s Furniture, Nebraska Furniture Mart, R.C. Willey Home Furnishings and Star Furniture – have underwritten the redesign of the Affie Award presented by the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. It was designed by furniture designer Mark Tucker III.
“The Affie is an important symbol of recognition for our leaders as we remember their contributions each fall,” says Bill Child, chairman of R.C. Willey. “The Hall of Fame is important to recognize the leaders that have done so much to build this wonderful industry of ours.”
“We found the new design to be inspirational and beautiful,” says Bill Kimbrell, CEO of Star Furniture. “We’re proud to be a part of taking the Hall of Fame Foundation to the next level.”
The Foundation conducted a competition last fall and selected the contemporary design from many submissions. The award features copper flames as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the industry and the energy of innovation, accomplishment and honor achieved by members of the American Furniture Hall of Fame. The symbol of infinity circles the flames handcrafted by artisan Appalachian metal crafters, set on a turned wooden base of solid reclaimed black walnut. Turning House Furniture donated the Appalachian hardwoods for the base.
“I envisioned copper to authentically resemble the life and color of flames,” says Tucker. “The wooden base of rare wood reflects the manufacturing roots and heritage of the furniture industry while the infinity symbol represents that there will always be furniture innovation and the Hall of Fame should never be forgotten.”
“Of all the submissions, Mark’s beautiful design captured the essence of the Hall of Fame by remembering our past with a focus on our future,” says Donald Belgrad, president of the Foundation. “This innovative and fresh design truly exemplifies the honor of being inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, the industry’s most prestigious honor.”
Tucker is a furniture designer with Catina Unlimited Design in Greensboro and is a graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design.
The new Affie awards will be presented to this year’s inductees at the gala banquet on Sunday, October 18, held in the ballroom of International Home Furnishings Center.
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is an international, industry-wide organization founded to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the U.S. furniture industry, as well as to research, collect and preserve our cultural, economic and artistic history. Membership includes eligibility to vote for inductees into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry. The organization is based in High Point at 202 Neal Place, and can be reached at 336.882.5900.
