Honors and awards
The INNOVATION + DESIGN competition and exhibition is a furniture industry sponsored juried competition designed to acknowledge professional designer/makers who create their own products, and the next generation of serious woodworking students who are anticipating a career in the custom wood and related home furnishings industries.
Pearl Collective, formerly known as Gail Doby Coaching and Consulting, supports interior design professionals and firms as they achieve transformational growth in profitability, productivity, and professional and personal satisfaction. One of the organization’s mastermind collectives, the Boardroom, takes established design firms and amplifies their business helping them reach financial freedom, joy and happiness. Each year, Pearl Collective recognizes select Boardroom members for outstanding accomplishments within their business over the last year.
Lucy Penfield, a Minneapolis-based interior and product designer known for imaginative and colorful decor, has assumed the presidency of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Minnesota chapter, effective October 1. With more than 30 years of experience in the design industry, Penfield brings her passion for color, mentoring, and sustainability to lead the chapter during her one-year term.
In the realm of architectural innovation and residential design, one event stands out as the…
High Point, NC, Nov. 3, 2023 — Attention all professional designer/makers and serious woodworking students. Do you have a project that is exceptional, one that you are extremely proud of? Enter it in the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) 2024 INNOVATION + DESIGN juried competition. Deadline is Dec. 20, 2023. The exhibit showcasing the finalists’ entries will be open at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, 311 S. Hamilton, High Point from April 4-17, in conjunction with Spring High Point Market. The winners will be announced at the Meet the Designers reception on April 14.
“INNOVATION + DESIGN gives professional furniture artisans and woodworking students an excellent opportunity to showcase their work at the High Point Market, the world’s largest and most important home furnishings event,” said David Blair, executive director of ISFD. “Past participants shared that the connections they made at Market—both with other designer-makers and High Point Market attendees—have been invaluable. This year, our exhibit will be held in the Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, a beautiful new facility located right in the heart of the Market district, a convenient location that will get a lot of traffic.”
This highly competitive furniture industry sponsored event is intended for professional makers/designers who create their own product and the next generation of serious woodworking students who are anticipating a career in the custom wood and related home furnishings industries. It is designed to showcase the products and designs of the top independent and student makers in the accessories, dining room furniture, lighting, occasional storage, occasional tables, and seating categories.
Professional and student finalists will receive a certificate of merit and will be entered into the Maker/Designer or student category of the 2024 ISFD Pinnacle Awards. Category winners will receive $250, and the Best of Show winner will receive $1000. All winners will receive free manufacturing time in the Congdon Yards Generator to work on any project of their choice. The entry fee is $50 each, entrants can submit multiple entries in multiple categories.
For the judging, a panel of ISFD board members and trade experts representing various sectors of the industry will review the entries and select the finalists. Once selected, the finalists’ projects will be shipped to High Point for a final round of in-person judging to select winners in each category.
For complete entry details please visit 2024 INNOVATION + DESIGN.
The Night of Luminaries and Rising Stars is held annually to recognize leadership, innovation, and contribution to the home and design industries as well as highlighting the most outstanding young designers of tomorrow.
Pinnacle Awards “Untamed Minds” Gala held on Monday, October 16 in the Loft at Congdon Yards in High Point, a slate of industry notables presented professional and student home furnishings and textile designers with the prestigious 2023 Pinnacle Awards.
High Point, NC, Sept. 26, 2023 ⎯ Barbour Spangle Design, the High Point based full-service…
A founding member of WithIt (Women in the Home Industry Today) and a 30-plus-year member of IFDA, Gefen has been honored by both groups with the Withit Legacy Award, the Withit WOW Award for Education and the IFDA Luminary Award. In addition, she is also the recipient of the prestigious Women in Business Award from the Triad Business Journal and the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) American Heritage Award.
The Trailblazer Award is presented to a person who is responsible for innovative or meaningful contributions or change that alters or improves some aspect of the home and design industry and how it functions or is perceived. The recipient does not need to be a member to receive this award, however, Carpenter is a member.
“It is very fitting that Patti is being honored with the Trailblazer Award,” Brinson said. “She has forged a deeper connection to the reason she trailblazed to begin with: to create a new path that brings opportunity for others. The scope of her work has encouraged so many to reach their full potential and her celebration of diverse talent is transcended by her vision to inspire. Both women lead with perseverance and passion, and we look forward to celebrating their outstanding achievements at the Gala.”
Principal of carpenter + company/Trendscope, Carpenter is a micro-enterprise specialist with U.S. presidential recognition for domestic and international expertise in artisan development, small producer and entrepreneurial training and economic development. An award-winning creative director she has traveled and worked in 57 countries as the global trend ambassador for Maison & Objet. She is also a consultant for Pantone. With extensive experience in product design and development, merchandising and color and trend forecasting, her work directly influences what we see in product design. She has designed, sourced and created innovative private label products for powerhouse brands such as Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, Yankee Candle, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren.
Carpenter is a member of the board of directors of SERRV International, a non-profit that empowers global artisans and farmers through long-term trading partnerships. She is also an advisory board member for the Black Artists and Designers Guild (BADG).
The winners will be honored at the annual Awards Gala at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, MA on September 29th. In addition to these two awards, the Gala also honors design achievements and industry stars in more than 20 categories.
About IFDA
Established in 1947, IFDA’s mission is to inspire collaboration within the furnishings and design industry to support its people, products and services. It promotes professional networking and collaboration, personal growth, educational efforts and philanthropy throughout the industry. Professionals and students in all areas of home furnishings and design can become members. To learn more visit IFDA or follow us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
ISFD names 78 finalists in 21 Categories for the 2023 Pinnacle Awards®