Samuelson Furniture Announces Winners Of Scholarship Competition

Furniture World Magazine

Samuelson Furniture Inc, the fourth generation high-end manufacturer of living room, dining room, bedroom and occasional furniture, announced that the judges have finalized their ballots in the inaugural annual Samuel and Rhoda Chalfin Memorial Scholarship Competition. Samuelson Furniture Inc., a ‘to the trade only’ Industry Partner of the New Jersey Chapter of ASID is awarding annually as many as four students; one from each of New Jersey’s student chapters and one from an Independent Student category, a scholarship in dedication to the memory of Samuel and Rhoda Chalfin, the parents of current company president, Larry Chalfin. The sponsors, Larry and Laurie Chalfin, have established four prizes of $750 each to be awarded annually to a Student Member ASID, in good standing, from each of the New Jersey Student Chapters of ASID; Kean University, Brookdale Community College and Berkeley College. Next year’s competition will offer a fourth prize awarded in the Independent Student category where students learn at various venues including on-line courses. The competition runs concurrently in all venues each year. The competition is based on furniture design of the type that is crafted by Samuelson Furniture Inc. Every year a decision will be made by the judges from among the following selections: exposed wood frame seating, cabinetry, or table, leaving the specific style to the student designer. Criteria covers creativity and function without attention to fabrics and finishes. The deadline for submissions for the inaugural awards was April 30, and the winning designs were announced at the New Jersey Chapter Trade Show on May 6, 2008. The prizes were presented at the Chapter’s Awards Dinner on June 3, 2008. The winners of the scholarships include: Fran D. Schier-Potter, Student Member ASID, from Brookdale Community College for her 'Triumph Chair' in an Art Nouveau/Art Deco blend of styles which she says, "evokes the timeless sophistication of Hollywood glamour”. From Kean University, Natalie Holmes-Mitchell, designed an occasional chair "inspired from Gothic architecture, (employing) the quatrefoil motif in a contemporary piece." The chair is designed with a wood frame and upholstered seat and back. The third award goes to Berkeley College in Paramus, NJ. The award will go to either the school or the Interior Design department; whichever will benefit the design students most. Although there are many schools in New Jersey with interior design classes, no other schools can fulfill the criteria set by ASID Headquarters in Washington, DC. Therefore, the Chalfin’s have created a category for independent students and independent ASID student members who were also eligible for the competition. Both the sponsors and the New Jersey Chapter of ASID strongly encourage such students to participate in next year's competition. According to New Jersey ASID Chapter president, Linda Lee Potter, ASID, CID of Linda Lee Potter Designs, LLC of Montclair, NJ, “We are very grateful to Laurie and Larry Chalfin and Samuelson Furniture for honoring these students and for the opportunity to participate in this inaugural memorial scholarship competition. Further we encourage more students from our three chapters as well as our independent ASID student members to submit designs for next year’s competition.” History of Invincible and Samuelson Furniture, Inc. In 1935, Samuel Chalfin and his father Harry founded Invincible Parlor Frame Company in Paterson New Jersey. At that time Invincible produced only unfinished frames for local upholsterers and was one of literally dozens of “Parlor Frame” makers in the New York area. As the furniture industry evolved through the decades, Invincible rose to an important leadership role. Cutting edge relationships with skilled artisans in Italy and later Spain provided the Invincible customer with the finest furniture frames in the marketplace. As a result, invincible became a provider of exquisite hand carved chairs and occasional furniture to premier manufacturers such as Baker and Henredon Furniture, to name just a few. In time, talented finishers found their way into the growing Invincible, lending a creative range and versatility of finishes that is truly unprecedented in today’s industry. With the addition of a skilled upholstery team, Invincible became a major resource of elegant finished product to the designer trade. His local and international suppliers, competitors and customers held Samuel Chalfin in high esteem because of his honesty and integrity. He treated his employees with fairness and respect, attracting many talented cabinetmakers and artisans who remained loyal employees for 30 or more years. He was a very giving individual, contributing to many charitable organizations. Samuel’s wife of over 60 years, Rhoda, was a true role model. Her ideals as a woman, wife, mother of three, and a professional remained consistent throughout her life. In the early years, Rhoda was continually called upon for her innate and discriminating sense of design. Her talents eventually led to her attendance at The New York School of Interior Design culminating in a career as an Interior Designer in the late 1950’s. An Allied Member of ASID, Rhoda’s career represented the joys and challenges of the design world. Capturing the character and individualism of her clientele with her own infusion of charm, elegance and timeless design created countless successful design projects and lasting relationships. Invincible Parlor Frame, an early member of the Society when the term was ‘Industry Foundation’, continues to be an active and supportive Industry Partner of ASID. Today, Larry as President and his wife Laurie, Vice President, now joined by their eldest son Michael, continue to provide extraordinary product to the design world. This long rich family heritage led to the development of a thriving contract business with clients such as Ritz Carlton, St. Regis and Disney. Samuel passed away in 2003 and Rhoda in 2006. To honor Samuel after his passing, the corporate name Samuelson Furniture Inc. was established. Today Samuelson Furniture Inc. manufactures the Invincible™ brand for the high- end traditional residential market, Delano™ for the high-end contemporary residential market, and Samuelson Contract™ provides four and five star hotels, time share, country clubs and restaurants with each of its brands as well as custom designed furniture. For further information contact the company at 888.289.4489 or e-mail: info@samuelsonfurniture.com. Visit the company online at www.samuelsonfurniture.com. For advertising / editorial inquiries contact the company at 800.844.8813 or e-mail: info@ericbauer.com.