HIGH POINT, NC – The American Society of Furniture Designers celebrated its Twelfth Annual Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards Oct. 1 during the Fall High Point Furnishings Market.

Awards were presented to designers in 15 furniture and accessory categories. The 2007 winners, including comments from the judges, are

Major Collections

New Traditional                                             

William Faber for Century Furniture

Judges Comments:

Very versatile collection with engaging colors and adaptable in multiple environments. The wood and metal combination offer a "wow" factor with the sophisticated tribute to texture and surface interest.

Bedroom

Nautica Harrison Collection                                                                          

Troy Hollis for Lexington Home Brands

Judges Comments:

The Nautica Harrison Collection has combined an interesting contrast of textures and materials complimenting the warm, rich finish inspired by Asian influences while still expressing homage to contemporary design.

Casual Dining

Hudson                                                           

John Kolkka, ASFD for Charleston Forge

Judges Comments:

This winning collection adapts beautifully from a contemporary lifestyle to a mountain retreat, cityscape or traditional setting. Hammered steel balances the smooth metal with a multi-hued finish, giving this collection versatility in style yet leaving it accessible to many interior design schemes.

Formal Dining

Wilshire Blvd.                                                 

Berry & Clark Design Associates for Bernhardt Furniture

Judges Comments:

Banquet seating option allows flexibility and placement in a room. The shapely curio offers unique storage options.  The round table is complimented by a sideboard, combining an air of sophistication with casual comfort.

Home Entertainment Centers

Medley                                                             

Ron Watson for Riverside Furniture Corp.

Judges Comments:

This collection contains a melange of materials which are very current signaling the importance of texture and surface interest in today’s home furnishings; adaptable for use with different entertainment systems and diverse style categories.

Home Office

Liv360                                                            

Andy Nielsen & Ken Levi for Aspenhome

Judges Comments:

Reflecting ultimate functionality in a small, contained footprint, this home office is a perfect example of versatility for the way families live today. This winning design maximizes every square inch offering, the utmost in work surfaces and/or storage options.

Occasional Tables

Wilshire Blvd.

Berry & Clark Design Associates for Bernhardt Furniture

Judges Comments:

This collection is defined by strong contemporary lines boldly combining materials. The tables are cleverly accented with inlaid lines of brushed nickel to create decorative lines emphasizing the rectilinear motif of the collection.

Occasional Storage

Family Communication Centers

Valerie Schmieder, ASFD for Sligh Furniture Co.

Judges Comments:

Functionality meets good looks for the way we live and work in our homes today. Size and scale make it easy to take grateful advantage of the clever storage of the table, making the collection versatile and useful. 

Juvenile Furniture

Hang Time & Free Time

Abigail Eaton, ASFD & Dudley Moore Jr., ASFD for Lea Industries Inc.

Judges Comments:

Available in multiple finishes, this collection features clean, asymmetrical cases with endless possibilities for configurations dedicated to the various needs of children as they age. A special feature is an "iPod" ready bed with speakers and a docking station hidden by a sliding storage compartment.

Motion Upholstery

Clever Recliner & Ottoman                           

Michael Shields for American Leather

Judges Comments:

Elegant, contemporary and sleek with an advanced unidirectional suspension system that provides maximum comfort and support in a recliner resting at a unique 45-degree angle. This permits the proprietary mechanism to adjust to an individual's body weight, giving the utmost and maximum comfort available in motion furniture.

Stationary Upholstery

Hayden                                                           

Debra Halsey-Strother for Vanguard Furniture

Judges Comments:

The graceful, curve-linear back parallels the detail on the front rail, with exquisite nail-head trim appointed with graceful wood accents to create a formal, yet comfortable upholstered centerpiece for any room.

Leather Upholstery

MOOD                                                            

Normand Couture for Couture International

Judges Comments:

This winner combines couture detailing with a low profile, and plush, deep seated comfort with a contemporary flair to make any environment both interesting and exciting. 

Summer/Casual

Kyoto Collection                                            

Richard Frinier, ASFD for Century Furniture

Judges Comments:

A perfect example of taking outdoor or patio furniture to a new sophisticated level. It at once demonstrates refined scale but with attention to comfort. There is an extensive range of product to complete any design whether it is used inside the home or out.

Accessories

Contemporary Custom Rugs                         

Pia Cyrulnik, ASFD for The Contemporary Couch

Judges Comments:

Inspiring custom carpet designs help to accentuate upholstery invigorating any interior with color, style and texture.

Lighting

Stage Floor Lamp                                          

Ian Fowler for Visual Comfort Inc.

Judges Comments:

Creatively designed, multi-positioned lamp exhibits a dramatic yet playfully modern silhouette with a variety of lighting effects. The unique slotted shade and diffuser is available with a variety of finishes, making it easy and fun to integrate into any interior design.