High Point, NC (October 2, 2007)  -  The American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) celebrated its 2007 Twelfth Annual Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards on Monday evening at the High Point International Home Furnishings Center Ballroom
 
Following a gala reception sponsored by Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, Jack Lewis, ASFD president welcomed the nearly 300 industry guests and thanked all of the 2007 sponsors for their outstanding Pinnacle support  beginning with Furniture/Today who serves as the Major Underwriter of the annual Pinnacle Awards, and including Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Elmo Leather, Furniture Style, Hafele America Co., Hickory Springs Mfg., High Point Market Authority, Home Furnishings Business, Home Lighting & Accessories, International Home  Furnishings Center, Leggett & Platt,  Merchandise Mart Properties, SHOWPLACE, Weyerhaeuser and World Market Center Las Vegas.

Steve Hodges, ASFD 2007 Pinnacle Awards Chairman introduced the 2007 Pinnacle Judges who were Dr. Richard Bennington, High Point University; Clint Engel, FurnitureToday; Leslie Fishbein, Kacey Fine Furniture, Denver; Ellen Gefen, Industry Fashion Update; Francel Goude, RFG-Global Design Group; Jackie Hirschhaut, AHFA; Sheila Long O'Mara, Home Furnishings Business; Max Shangle, Kendall College of Art & Design; Julie Smith, Furniture Style and its supplements, Steve Walker, NC State/Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center; and Rhonda Wolf, Havertys, Atlanta.

As evening master of ceremonies, Furniture/Today editor-in-chief Ray Allegrezza introduced the participating Pinnacle presenters who were special guests from the furniture retail community.  They included Caroline Hipple, HB/2 Resources; Jim Gabbert, Gabberts Fine Furnishings; Leslie Fishbein, Kacey Fine Furniture; Cathy Allen, Badcock Furniture; and Tony Wilkerson, Havertys.

The 2007 Pinnacle Award winners including comments  from the Pinnacle Judges are:

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 rectilear 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, asysmmetrical 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.

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 tradional setting.  Hammered steel balances the smooth metal with a multi-hued finish giving this collection versatility in style yet 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.

Motion Upholstery
Clever Recliner & Ottoman                           
Michael Shields for American Leather
Judges Comments:
Elegant, contemporary and sleek with an advanced unidirectional suspension system providing  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 upmost and maximum comfort available in motion furniture.

Stationary Upholstery
Hayden                                                           
Debra Halsey-Strother for Vanguard Furniture
Judges Comments:
The graceful, curvelinear 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. 

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.

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 upmost in work surfaces and/or storage options.

Home Entertainment Centers
Medley                                                             
Ron Watson for Riverside Furniture Corp.
Judges Comments:
This collection contains a melage 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.

 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.

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 contemporay design.

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.