ASFD Presents Fifth Annual Pinnacle Award Winners

Furniture World Magazine

The American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) announced the winners before an audience of over 200 guests at the Fifth Annual Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards ceremony held Friday night at the High Point Country Club during the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point on October 20th. Following recognition of all 47 finalists including a slide viewing of the products, a Pinnacle was awarded to the winning designer in each of the thirteen categories. The Pinnacle winners in each category are listed below and include a comment or two by the Pinnacle Award judges. Occasional Furniture: Capri Table Group, James DiPersia for Excelsior Designs. "These designs show interesting forms combined with delightful surfaces at a great value to the customer." Juvenile Furniture: YA Colors, Gary Hokanson for Stanley Furniture Company. "Juvenile furnishings with a truely youthful aesthetic. The colors are not only mix and match, but are livable...a thoughtful collection at a good value." Casual Dining: Dynasty Group, Fred Puksta and Peter Saloom for Saloom Furniture Company. "Crisp design with a Zen appeal, casual dining with maturity. Effective use of materials and finish to unify the group in a timely and fashionable offering." Motion Upholstery: Explorer , Jack Lewis for La-Z-Boy, Inc. "It isn't your parents motion upholstery! This project offers versatility, technology and function in a forward looking contemporary style." Accessories: Storage on Small Places, Anne M. Larsen, Jostein Gunderson, Svein Moller for Woody Shop International. "Functional accessories with a contemporary flair, wood and metal combine to create unique products suitable to a broad range of customers and environments." Lighting: Architect's Wood Table Lamp, Alfonso Fontal for Ethan Allen Interiors. "A clean, simple design in a style that can bridge the style gap, blending equally well in contemporary or traditional decors at a good value." Home Office: Reflections of the 20th Century, Gary Hokanson for Stanley Furniture Company. "What home office ought to be....aesthetics and function in one package. This home office offers effective storage and function in a deliberate tasteful design at a great value." Stationary Upholstery: Croc Club Chair & Ottoman, Bruce Ward for Pearson. "Great proportions in a scale suitable to real world interiors. Both the chair and ottoman express sophisticated comfort....great legs!" Entertainment Centers: Trio, Rick Lee for Statements, Inc. "Entertaining home entertainment...a blend of crisp contemporary lines, loads of function, fun colors in a versatile functional design." Bedroom: N (nu) Series, John N. Kelly for John Kelly Furniture Design. "Contemporary design with a softer side. The Bow Bed and the Bedside Table with a combination of wood and glass are outstanding designs." Formal Dining: Reflections of the 20th Century, Gary Hokanson for Stanley Furniture Company. "Formal dining without being stuffy, this collection offers the consumer a broad array of pieces at a good value. The design is both elegant and comfortable with an entirely livable finish." Summer/Casual: Archetype, Michael Vanderbyl for McGuire Furniture Company. "Summer casual in a whole new light. Sophisticated, contemporary and flat out beautiful...the marriage of wood and metal is sublime." Major Collections: Gramercy , Steve Worthman for Hickory White. "This collection simply WORKS-- awesome looks and great contemporary styling. The three-seat banquet chair is a wonderful option adding both flexibility and delight to this thoughtful collection." This years sponsors include Appalachian Hardwood, Casual Living magazine, FurnitureStyle magazine, Hafele America, Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., Home Lighting & Accessories magazine, Laminating Materials Association, Leggett & Platt, Lilly Industries, NEST magazine, The October Company, and Wilsonart International. The panel of judges included Dr. Richard Bennington, Professor of Business and Director of the Home Furnishings Program, High Point University; Judith Cushman, Head of J.Z. Cushman & Company; Tom Edmonds, Contributing Editor, Furniture/Today; Robert L. Ficks, Jr., Director, Home Furnishings Council; Ellen Gefen, President, Gefen Productions and Majec, Inc.; Jackie Hirschhaut, Vice President, Public Relations, AFMA; Mike McCune, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Dillard's; Allen Norwood, Home Editor, The Charlotte Observer; Max Shangle, Professor, Design Studies, Kendall College of Art & Design; Cindy Sheaffer, Director, Media Relations, AFMA and former Editor-in-Chief, Home Accents Today; Cheminne Taylor-Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Casual Living and Tony Wilkerson, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Havertys Furniture. A CD ROM press book including reproduction quality photographs of all finalists will be published and distributed in early November 2000. People may contact ASFD to obtain a free CD or for any further information about the Pinnacle Awards by calling (910) 576-1273; by fax (910) 576-1573; or by E-mail: asfd@ac.net.