ASFD Announces Pinnacle Home Furnishings Design Award Winners

Furniture World Magazine

The American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) presented the 1999 Pinnacle Award winners before an audience of 200 guests at the fourth annual design achievement awards ceremony held Friday evening, October 16 at the High Point Country Club. Following the recognition of each designer finalist and a viewing of their product slides, a total of fifteen Pinnacles were awarded in thirteen design categories. The winners are listed below and include a comment or two made by the Pinnacle Award judges for each recipient. Major Collections: Two winners were announced in this category. The Ernest Hemingway Collection by Charles Cain, Don Wistehuff and Joe Greene for Thomasville Furniture Industries. The scope of the product offerings in this collection demonstrates a commitment by Thomasville to provide the consumer with choice and quality in a thoughtfully designed collection. Avenue Collection by Paul Rosebrock for Ethan Allen, Inc. With this collection, Ethan Allen has not only offered the consumer a collection that addresses contemporary market, they have refined and defined it. Stationary Upholstery: Thebes Chair and Bench by Bruce Ward for Pearson Company. Distinctive in style, elegant and refined; a chair that appeals to both the visual and functional desires. Motion Upholstery: Jack Lewis and La-Z-Boy were awarded a Pinnacle for Overall Achievement in Design for Motion Upholstery. The judges in selecting to award La-Z-Boy for overall achievement is recognizing the company's continuing commitment to design, value and responsiveness to their customers. The Trenton chair serves as an example. Bedroom: Glengarry County Bedroom Collection by Steve Hodges Associates for Durham Furniture. Glengarry County is an offering that demonstrates intelligent execution of style, sensitivity to scale while providing the customer quality construction and value. Casual Dining: Aero by Richard Frinier for Brown Jordan. In two words "way cool"; Aero is casual dining--sophisticated, contemporary and easy. Great design. Formal Dining: J1 Series Furnishings by John Kelly for John Kelly Furniture Design. Formal dining may never be the same. J1 Series Furnishings is a design that is clean and honest; it gives a nod to the past while setting the standard for formal dining. Home Office: Computer Cabinet by Jack Kelley and Michael Warren for Sligh Furniture Company. This product demonstrates that the home office category has grown up; desirable in style, refined function. Doors open, its ready for work; or close it up and go. Juvenile Furniture: Xpressions Youth Bedroom by Drew Maple and Jeffrey Jensen for O'Sullivan Industries. This product very aptly reflects the lifestyle of the younger generation and their use of the bedroom space. Good use of color, integrated style and functionality. Lighting: Architecture Table Lamp by Sandy Chapman for Ethan Allen, Inc. The design is contemporary yet classic; at home almost anywhere. The finish is both familiar and fresh giving the lamp an updated classic appeal at a great price. Accessories: Feng Shui Medallion by Rick Berry for Berry & Clark Associates for Design Institute America. This is an exotic accessory for either contemporary or traditional settings. The elegant proportions, richness of materials and interesting three dimensional design are combined in this exciting product. Entertainment Centers/Home Theatre: Two Pinnacles were awarded in this category because of a wide range of styles and price points and the significance of the category. Belair by O.B. Solie for Ello Furniture. Outstanding design, exciting aesthetics, and delineated function describe Belair. Uptown Collection by Jeff Jensen for O'Sullivan Industries. This collection offers good style and functionality meeting the needs of the market, at a great value. Occasional Furniture: South Sea by Debra Halsey-Strother for Alexvale Furniture. This product is an outstanding example in this category--an intricately designed collection with great use of materials and clever craftmanship. Summer/Casual Furniture: Silver Collection by John Caldwell for Veneman Collection. The integration of materials is seamless in this product. The design combines contrast, richness and personality. It is casual with sharp sophistication. The 1999 Pinnacle judges included Dr. Richard Bennington, Professor of Business and Director of the Home Furnishings Program at High Point University; Jackie C. Hirschhaut, Vice President of Public Relations for the AFMA; LeRoy Briggs, Consultant and contributing editor of UDM magazine; Ellen Gefen, President, Gefen Productions and Majec, Inc.; Judith Cushman, head of J. Z. Cushman Consulting Co.; Robert L. Ficks, Jr., Director, Home Furnishings Council; Brian Carroll, Case Goods Editor, Furniture/Today; Max Shangle, furniture and industrial design instructor at Kendall College of Art & Design; Cindy Sheaffer, Editor of Home Accents Today; and Tony Wilkerson, Sr. Vice President and Board Member, Havertys Furniture Companies. The purpose of the Pinnacle awards program is to promote better design quality and encourage the recognition of furniture designers within the retail home furnishings industry. Category sponsors who presented the Pinnacles included Hafele America Company, Laminating Materials Association, Leggett & Platt, Inc., Lilly Industries, Inc., The October Company, Wilsonart International and UDM Magazine. A CD ROM press book containing reproduction quality photographs of finalists products, designers and the awards dinner will be sent to over 500 editors of the home furnishings press when available in November. To receive a copy or for further information, contact ASFD Headquarters at (910) 576-1273; Fax (910) 576-1573; e-mail asfd@ac.net.