ICFA

ICFA Honors Best of Show and Lilly Award Winners at Casual Market

wgoodson — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 11:05:06 +0000

ICFA Honors Best of Show and Lilly Award Winners at Casual Market

The Tuuci Ocean Master M1 Voilare umbrella (designed by Tuuci President Dougan Clarke) earned the ICFA Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” Award.

wgoodson Wed, 09/18/2024 - 06:05

The International Casual Furnishings Association has selected three top products from the Design Excellence category winners. Tuuci earned the Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” Award for its Ocean Master M1 Voilare umbrella designed by President Dougan Clarke during a celebration of the outstanding outdoor living product designs showcased at Casual Market Atlanta.

In addition, Tuuci’s Voilare received the Lilly Award for Outdoor Furnishings while Castelle received the Lilly Award for Outdoor Furniture for its Berkley Sling Sofa designed by Curtis Bulleman.

The Berkley Sling Sofa by Castelle (designed by Curtis Bulleman) won the ICFA Lilly Award for Outdoor Furniture.

Sponsored by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) and ANDMORE, the top honors were announced by ICFA Executive Director Jackie Hirschhaut during the evening ICFA Awards Party on the second day of the fall trade show at AmericasMart.

A display of the 11 product category winners served as a backdrop for the after-hours party Tues., Sept. 17, at the second-floor lobby of Building 1, which features more than 70 permanent showrooms and more than 50 temporary exhibitors of outdoor furnishings and accessories.

The Ocean Master M1 Voilare parasol design integrates a pagoda-inspired top, where the 11-foot canopy sits over 12 ribs and a two-inch mast. The double-sided canopy features a scalloped valance with a screen-printed underside, contrasting trims and tassel enhancements. The structure is built of marine-grade aluminum available in a variety of finishes and marine-grade performance fabrics for the canopy.

The Berkley Sling Lounge Sofa blends comfort and style with its handcrafted frame that features a carved wood-look design made from durable cast and extruded aluminum. The ergonomic seat and back add support, while the all-weather sling material helps ensure long-lasting shape and comfort. Castelle offers a variety of powder-coat finishes and optional artisan-applied antiquing.

Entrants for the 2024 Design Excellence competition must be exhibitors at Casual Market Atlanta at AmericasMart at either the summer market in July or the fall market in September. Criteria for all entries includes overall design, marketability, product innovation, color, construction and imaginative use of materials.

ICFA Invites Marketgoers to Fall Casual Market Atlanta Events

wgoodson — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:04:24 +0000

ICFA Invites Marketgoers to Fall Casual Market Atlanta Events wgoodson Wed, 09/04/2024 - 11:04

The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has planned a variety of events for all attendees during the upcoming fall Casual Market Atlanta at AmericasMart starting on September 15.

On the day before the official start of the market, ICFA invites dealers to join in the Retailer Roundtables and Think Tank on Sunday afternoon on the 10th floor of Building 1. Some store owners have said that one of their most important activities during the show is to connect with other stores to learn how they deal with various situations and challenges.

Lunch will be served at 1 p.m., followed by two, one-hour table discussions scheduled at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. To maximize the afternoon networking opportunity, a Think Tank session is scheduled for 4 p.m. where attendees are invited to bring a business challenge, industry concern or great idea for discussion with your tablemates. At 5 p.m., participants are invited to a reception in the Summer Classics showroom, 2-E-7. The fee to attend is $50 for members, including a $25 donation to City of Hope. Click to register: 2024 Fall CMA Retail Roundtables.

On Monday morning, ICFA calls all women in the casual furnishing industry to start their day at the Women’s Leadership Breakfast Boost in the 10-04 meeting room on the 10th floor of Building 1. This free networking event provides an opportunity to catch up with industry friends and meet new colleagues. A continental buffet will be available at 7 a.m. with a fun professional development program that runs from 8–8:30 a.m. Attendees can reserve a seat: https://forms.office.com/r/qBK1D6duEd.

Also on Monday morning, all market attendees are invited to join the Walk for Hope at AmericasMart as part of a national event series that unites everyone impacted by cancer to take steps to eliminate the disease. The group will gather in the second-floor lobby of Building 1 at 8:30 a.m. and take a 20-minute walking tour of the outdoor floors.

The casual industry has its own ICFA Sunshine team to raise funds to support City of Hope cancer research and life-giving care. Register at https://ourhope.cityofhope.org/ICFASunshine. The first 150 walkers to sign up will receive a Walk for Hope T-shirt.

At the end of the day on Monday, marketgoers will enjoy an entertaining Braves & Brews event at Truist Park as the Atlanta Braves take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Buses will leave AmericasMart at 5:30 p.m. for a great night of baseball, light bites and brews with your peers. Complimentary tickets for Casual Market attendees are limited. Reserve your tickets now!

Furniture, Lighting & Décor magazine has charted the increasing amount of time that consumers are spending in their outdoor spaces and will moderate a designer panel – Lighting Up the Outdoors – at a lunchtime seminar on Tuesday. Buyers are encouraged to come to the Seminar Space on the 14th floor in Building 1, 14-D-9, to enjoy lunch at 11:30 a.m. before the presentation at noon.

ICFA’s Design Excellence category award winners were just announced, and the winning outdoor products will be on display in the second-floor lobby of Building 1 during the Fall Market. From these 11 front-runners, the Lillian B. Winchester Best of Show Award will be announced at the ICFA Awards Party, scheduled on Tuesday from 5–7 p.m. in the second-floor lobby. All marketgoers are invited to enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music while celebrating the best in outdoor furniture design.

As an industry organization, ICFA will host its Annual Meeting on Wednesday morning to recap activities of the past year and share news of plans for 2025. All marketgoers are invited to attend the early meeting in the 10th floor meeting room 10-02. Continental breakfast will be available at 7 a.m. in advance of the start of the meeting at 7:30 a.m.

ICFA Selects Design Excellence Category Winners

wgoodson — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:09:32 +0000

ICFA Selects Design Excellence Category Winners wgoodson Thu, 08/29/2024 - 11:09

The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has recognized nine manufacturers of outdoor home furnishings and accessories for their outstanding product designs.

From among the 11 merchandise category winners in the ICFA’s Design Excellence competition, two products will be selected for the Lilly Award for Outdoor Furniture and Outdoor Furnishings, and one product will be honored with the Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” Award.

These honors will be announced at the ICFA Awards Party scheduled for 5–7 p.m., Tues., Sept. 17, at the second-floor lobby of Building 1 at AmericasMart.

This year’s Design Excellence category winners and designers include:

Chaise Lounge: Pavilion – Luma – Colin Nourie
Complementary Casual Products – Accents: Summer Classics – Hourglass Ale Indoor/Outdoor Pillow – Wynne White
Complementary Casual Products – Furnishings: Pavilion – Lirio – Pavilion Design Team
Dining/Bar Chair – Summer Classics – Palma Bar Stool – Summer Classics Design Team
Dining/Bar Table: Alfresco Home – Horizon Extension Table with Castello Sintered Stone Top – Alfresco Home Design Team
Fabric: Sunbrella – Horizon Collection – Steve Elton for Brown Jordan
Heating/Fire Pit: Ebel Inc. – Tahoe Fire Pit – Ebel Design Team
Lighting: Suns Outdoors – Mrs. Solar Kate Collection – Suns Outdoors Design Team
Lounge Seating Cushion: Ratana – Las Colinas Rocker – Ratana Design Team
Lounge Seating Non-Cushion: Castelle Furniture – Berkeley Sling Sofa – Curtis Bulleman
Shade Products: Tuuci – Ocean Master M1 Voilare – Dougan Clarke

Entrants for the 2024 Design Excellence competition must be exhibitors at Casual Market Atlanta at AmericasMart at either the Summer Market in July or the Fall Market in September. Criteria for all entries include overall design, marketability, product innovation, color, construction and imaginative use of materials.

ICFA Names 2024 Richard Frinier Design Scholarship Winner

wgoodson — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:44:23 +0000

ICFA Names 2024 Richard Frinier Design Scholarship Winner wgoodson Tue, 08/06/2024 - 07:44

Scott Grove has earned the ICFA/Richard Frinier Design Scholarship for his submission of “Seaside Sun-dance,” a collection of five textile patterns for luxury hotel and cruise pool furniture, presented in an innovative laser-cut umbrella and patio cover devised to interact with sunlight.

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) rising junior credits the time he spent in the ocean and swimming pools of his home state of Florida, observing the interplay of light and shadow on the water, for inspiring the blue and white tones and fluid shapes of his distinctive designs.

“This collection urges organic flowing lines into pool spaces and uses light to motivate people to sunbathe, swim and relax in a unique shaded area,” Grove said. “Ideas of navigation and travel are referenced through dashed lines and inspire hotel and cruise guests to explore the space.

“All patterns would be woven with acrylic to endure outdoor conditions, and the proposed laser-cut would be cut from a similar acrylic woven and overlaid on a transparent acrylic textile to allow areas of the sun to shine through the umbrella,” he added.

Encouraged by his artistic parents, Grove became interested in design starting with craft projects as a child. His grandmother was a gifted hand sewer and knitter, and his mother, a jewelry designer. One of his three brothers is a professional clarinetist, and another is an engineer working with computer numerical control (CNC).

“I was designing before I realized it, and by high school, fashion was my focus,” Grove said. “The little art education I got at my public school centered on visual arts, so I worked hard to educate myself, doing lots of research and learning hands-on crafts like how to weave, bead and embroider.

“I enjoyed using these skills in creating costumes for the theater department. Once COVID hit and impacted people-based activities, including theater-going, I redirected my design interest to textiles.”

Grove’s pivot produced a portfolio of work that resulted in his acceptance into the SCAD fibers department, where he immediately found his passion. One of the largest of its kind in the U.S., with a comprehensive curriculum and extensive facilities stocked with top-of-the-line tools and resources, SCAD was the perfect next step in his design education, he said.

“I fell in love immediately, fascinated by all the areas to explore,” Grove said. “I went deeper into weaving and learned how to crochet, knit, dye natural and synthetic materials, and create repeating patterns that are woven or printed.”

Always interested in interior design, home furnishings and accessories, he regarded the Richard Frinier Design Scholarship Competition as an opportunity to direct his design talents into a marketable product for the casual furnishing industry. His experiment with laser-cutting when creating lace for a fashion project provided the catalyst for the technology application required by the award’s challenge brief.

“I always considered design to be art with a purpose,” Grove said, “so creating a unique product that solves a problem by integrating aesthetics and technology while targeting a specific market seemed like an exciting way to apply my education and passion.”

Grove developed sketches, painted watercolors, tested laser-cut techniques, and researched consumer trends and manufacturing options to build his submission. “My objective was to reflect my love of water, nature, sunshine and the feelings of serenity, hope and spirituality that they inspire for a product that would attract luxury hospitality customers,” he said.

Along with a $5,000 stipend, Grove won airfare and lodging for a two-night stay in Atlanta during Summer Casual Market Atlanta, where he met top ICFA officials and industry mentors. He also spent an afternoon in conversation and showroom tours with Richard Frinier.

“I enjoyed talking to him about the industry,” Grove said. “He’s designed outside the box in many different areas and has such well-deserved confidence in himself. I wanted to learn how he’s succeeded and thank him for his commitment to helping students like me.”

Reflecting on meeting with Grove, Richard remarked, “When Catherine and I were reviewing entries for the 2024 design competition, Scott’s was definitely a standout. After meeting him and spending time together during the July Casual Market in Atlanta, I could see that his talents, people and communication skills far exceeded his years even though he is really just starting out.

“We live in a time where young designers can easily prefer to spend more time working on becoming an influencer on social media,” he continued. “Whereas with Scott, we could immediately see that he is not just experimenting with what he may want to do in the future, he is actually already doing the work and writing his story in very smart, clever and impressive ways.”

Judging Grove’s portfolio submission among all the entries, Frinier explained, “I was taken with how he was looking at ways to create and use textiles in a way that perhaps has not yet been achieved and/or not yet been perfected. His presentation and the story he wrapped around his designs were well-thought-out, illustrated beautifully, and in a compelling way that made you want to learn more.

“When Catherine and I launched this student design competition and scholarship program with ICFA it was strongly driven by our desire to not only solicit entries from college-level design students to help them, but also to help be a part of informing professors across the country about our great industry and to ask them to be aware of the many amazing opportunities we may offer to their students,” he added. “At the same time, our purpose was to invite and welcome young designers just starting out to discover our industry and also raise the level of awareness among our colleagues and friends in the business to be open to hiring such young talent and to mentor them and bring them up through the ranks today and tomorrow as they are the future.”

While Grove has two more years before he graduates and starts his career in design, he knows what he wants to do next.

“Surface design intrigues me. My ideal first job would be creating designs for carpet, wallpaper and woven patterns for upholstery, not just flat, but also transparency, and using technologies like laser-cut or 3-D or flatbed printing to develop innovative ideas that don’t exist yet,” he said. “I am excited about creating home furnishings and accessories that feel old but are made through advanced methods. Sustainability is crucial.

“I’m subtly advocating for natural surroundings and recyclable materials with this project. As much as I love nature, it is incumbent on all of us to ensure the next generations can experience it as we do. It would be so unfair to limit their access when we can make design and manufacturing decisions that are carbon neutral.”

For more about the ICFA/Richard Frinier Scholarship, visit https://www.icfanet.org/richardfrinierdesignscholarship.

ICFA Names 2024 Mia Nault Unsung Hero Award

dfalvey — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:44:49 +0000

ICFA Names 2024 Mia Nault Unsung Hero Award dfalvey Thu, 08/01/2024 - 08:44

The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has named Terry DeMeuse of Lloyd Flanders as the 2024 recipient of the Mia Nault Unsung Hero Award.

DeMeuse has been with Lloyd Flanders since August 2018, starting in a warehouse role and progressing to customer service.

In nominating DeMeuse for this award, sales rep Kathleen Ferry of K. Ferry Sales, said, “Terry goes above and beyond for her customers, company and sales reps. She is the most reliable and customer-driven associate I have ever worked with. She is professional, kind, positive and truly believes in giving 100 percent to every single customer no matter if they are purchasing a throw pillow or $50,000 worth of product.”

She added, “Terry isn't shy about how proud she is to work for Lloyd Flanders. She takes her role in customer service seriously and she has developed wonderful relationships with her colleagues, customers and sales reps. She is invaluable!”

DeMeuse grew up in the small town of Fort Ashby, WV. At age 18, she left to join the Navy and after receiving her basic training in Orlando, FL, in 1981, she received storekeeper training in a record 15 days in Meridian, MI. She was then stationed in Reykjavik, Iceland, where she met her husband, Chris, and they were soon married. They moved to Jacksonville, FL, where they completed their service with the Navy and raised two children. After 30 years in Florida, the DeMeuses moved to Wisconsin, where they currently reside.

Jess Flanders, CEO and creative director at Lloyd Flanders, also sang DeMeuse's praises: “Anyone who knows Terry knows her personality is larger than life, but it is when you see the heart she has for others that you see how much she genuinely cares. She is always willing to help anyone, quick with a smile and even a joke (and true to her Navy roots, the jokes can even make a sailor blush!). Terry DeMeuse is the type of person that is the epitome of what makes the Casual Furnishings Industry special and is so deserving of this year’s Unsung Hero Award!”

This award was created to call attention to outstanding customer service representatives at manufacturing companies throughout the casual furnishings industry. Candidates are selected based on their ability to provide exceptional customer service, as well as outstanding communication skills, innovative problem-solving, professionalism and ability to inspire others as brand ambassadors. In 2021 the award was renamed in honor of the inaugural 2020 recipient, the late Mia Nault of Ebel, Inc.

Previous recipients include Sarah Brown, Telescope Casual Furniture, in 2021; Christy Dase, Gensun Casual, in 2022; and Ana Hartman, Treasure Garden, in 2023.

ICFA Names Manufacturing Leadership Award Finalists

dfalvey — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 14:41:11 +0000

ICFA Names Manufacturing Leadership Award Finalists dfalvey Mon, 06/24/2024 - 09:41

Seven manufacturers of outdoor furnishings have been named finalists for the International Casual Furnishings Association’s 2024 Manufacturer of the Year Award.

The seven companies were selected for ICFA’s Manufacturer Leadership Award after a call for online nominations in April among ICFA’s membership. This year’s honorees include Berlin Gardens, Castelle, Ebel, Inc., Frankford Umbrellas, Jensen Outdoor, Telescope Casual Furniture and Tuuci.

The finalists were selected based on the overall design and quality of their products, along with their merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations. Company profiles of the finalists will be distributed to ICFA members for a second round of voting, and the company with the most votes will be announced as the Manufacturer of the Year at the ICFA Awards Gala on Tuesday, July 16.

Hosted by ANDMORE at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the ICFA Awards Gala will bring together all segments of the outdoor furnishings industry to recognize the top retail stores, manufacturers and sales representatives. Honorees of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award and Dudley Flanders Future Leader Award will also be celebrated.

Tickets for ICFA members can be ordered from the ICFA website at https://form.jotform.com/241015389980158 for $85 per person or $800 for a table of 10. An optional vegetarian meal is available. Tickets for non-members are $110 each and $1,100 for a table of 10. Sponsorship of the ICFA Awards Gala is available in a variety of levels at https://form.jotform.com/241495644151053.

ICFA Announces Venue for Awards Gala

dfalvey — Mon, 06 May 2024 16:05:57 +0000

ICFA Announces Venue for Awards Gala dfalvey Mon, 05/06/2024 - 11:05

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons football team and Atlanta United soccer team, will serve as the backdrop for the International Casual Furnishings Association’s annual awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 16, during Summer Casual Market Atlanta. The dinner event is hosted by ANDMORE and helps to support the trade organization’s philanthropic interest in the City of Hope.

“ICFA is very excited to welcome interior design, television personality and fashion stylist Carson Kressley to emcee the evening program dedicated to celebrating the best in the casual furnishings industry,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, ICFA executive director. After his entertainment debut as the fashion expert on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” reality television series, Kressley teamed with interior designer Thom Filicia to host “Get a Room with Carson & Thom,” showcasing beautifully transformed home settings.

“After introducing the casual furnishings industry to the amazing Georgia Aquarium last summer, we look forward to hosting Summer Market attendees at another Atlanta landmark,” said Paula Cox, ANDMORE’s Marketing Manager for outdoor furnishings at AmericasMart.

In addition to a cocktail reception and seated dinner, the program will include presentation of a full range of annual awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Apollo Awards recognizing retail excellence, the Manufacturer of the Year, the Sales Representative of the Year, the Unsung Hero Award identifying the superior manufacturers’ customer service representative, and the Dudley K. Flanders Future Leadership Award.

Trolleys from AmericasMart will be available to shuttle guests to and from the downtown location. A post-party on the field following the event will allow attendees the opportunity to celebrate with the honorees.

Tickets are available for ICFA members to order tables for 10 guests priced at $800 or individual seats, priced at $85 each. Non-members can secure tables at $1,100 or $110 each. A diverse range of sponsorships are additionally available. ICFA will donate 20 percent of ticket sales to City of Hope, the Duarte, California-based research and teaching hospital dedicated to curing cancer and diabetes.

Tickets can be ordered online at 2024 ICFA Awards Gala Tickets and event sponsorships are available at 2024 ICFA Sponsorship Levels & Benefits.

Meet 2024's ICFA Board of Directors Chair

dfalvey — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 16:22:25 +0000

Meet 2024's ICFA Board of Directors Chair dfalvey Mon, 03/04/2024 - 10:22

“As the second woman privileged with this position, I honor those in leadership positions who have come before me and plan to actively encourage more women to embrace the many professional and personal growth opportunities of membership,” said Megan Pierson, the 2024 Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Casual Furnishings Association, (ICFA). Pierson, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Polywood, has focused her 20-plus-year career on building relationships internally and externally, and leadership development.

She considers younger members crucial to the ongoing vitality of the ICFA. “I would love to see those starting in our profession join our program and become part of a multi-generational community of leaders. I believe their viewpoints and agility with new channels and technology will bring diversity and inclusivity, ultimately elevating our industry.”

Pierson's attended her first ICFA meeting about a decade ago when she started her career with POLYWOOD. The evolution of her involvement is a perfect road map for those aspiring to leadership positions in the organization. She immediately joined the marketing committee, leading it for two years while participating in meetings and educational conferences. She became chair of the social media committee and served on the Board for six years. “At POLYWOOD, we believe the people make the difference. Building a great team of people around you will challenge you to get the best outcomes possible. That management philosophy aligns completely with how the ICFA is run and serves me well in this new leadership position,” she said.

Supporting women's advancement in the ICFA hierarchy is an objective that inspires Pierson. “I think it would be amazing to create a women's leadership council. It would help us encourage more women to get involved in our industry and support the current women in our association. Multi-generational leadership is so important. It builds a culture of respect and communication amongst professionals, as well as mentorship, offers new perspectives, and creates extensive opportunities for women in our industry,” she said.

Pierson also sees value in promoting membership to designers and those in the hospitality industry. “We have a lot of crossovers with the design industry. I believe there are ways we could collaborate to gain synergy together. We've seen success with this at Polywood, including building strong media relationships through our design partners. Hospitality is another area I'd like to focus on. This industry has exploded in recent years. The ICFA networking and membership benefits would greatly benefit both of these industry segments.”

Although the challenges of COVID are behind us, “continuing to create the best possible customer experience in an ever-changing landscape is an issue we all face,” said Pierson. “The ICFA Annual Conference provides amazing resources to stay informed on the changes going on in the industry. The conference also provides sales training, marketing courses and leadership training. Eighty-five percent of our customers want to feel and touch the product in the store. This is a huge merchandising opportunity, and we can guide brands on partnering with retailers and manufacturers to amplify their in-store experience.”

When contemplating her impact as Chair, Pierson has distinctive goals. “I hope that my legacy includes integrating our network of designers with our manufacturers and retailers so we can continue to inspire and learn from each other, especially over sustainability and innovation, while growing our membership base into an even richer community of thought leaders.”

Pierson and her husband of 22 years, Kevin, have two teenagers, Ethan and Brady, and two Dobermans, Lexy and Remy. When she isn't traveling for work, she can be found at the baseball field, proudly watching her younger play.

ICFA Names Richard Frinier Scholarship Winners

dfalvey — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:39:52 +0000

ICFA Names Richard Frinier Scholarship Winners dfalvey Thu, 10/19/2023 - 08:39

Two students from the Savannah College of Art and Design were named this year’s winners of the Richard Frinier Design Scholarship.

The students — Drew Hart and Sebastian Solloa — were awarded a two-night stay in Atlanta during the inaugural Casual Market Atlanta in July. Among the highlights for the two was the time they were able to spend with the renowned designer and his wife and business partner, Catherine Frinier. “They really made us feel at home and so graciously hosted us that weekend,” Hart said.

Hart, a senior at SCAD who is on track to graduate with a degree in furniture design in spring 2024, grew up in Cincinnati. He enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors, including hiking, gardening, biking and kayaking. He also likes to read, sketch, write and connect with his community. But when the shop is open at school, he is usually there as much as possible building furniture or making smaller pieces such as bowls and vases on the lathe for his friends and family.

Hart’s winning submission to the scholarship committee was an outdoor collection titled Osiris. It is designed around the concept of bringing people together through intentional design. "This piece was designed by the strong values my family has instilled in me, especially the importance of spending quality time with the ones you love. I aimed to design a piece that fills the need for genuine connections and allows families to host loved ones," Hart said.

Solloa grew up in Mexico City near a town called Satellite, where he studied architecture. Before he finished his degree in architecture, he was contacted by the tennis coach at SCAD and he ended up enrolling as a tennis athlete. He graduated from SCAD with a bachelor of fine arts in furniture design and design for sustainability in March 2022.

Since graduating, he has been developing his design studio while offering sustainability assessments for different companies. He is currently the sustainability director for a furniture manufacturing company in Mexico while also designing kitchens and working as a design consultant for Crate & Barrel.

Solloa’s submission to the committee was a project called Calma, an indoor/outdoor piece inspired by nature. Through the use of biomimicry, design and poetry, Solloa says, he was able to transform the shape of a folding leaf into a chair.

The ICFA / Richard Frinier Design Scholarship was established in 2016 to inspire design students in the creation of innovative outdoor living spaces for residential, contract and hospitality environments. The annual scholarship is awarded to the winner of an online competition in which college-level students submit their original designs for outdoor living products. For more information, visit https://www.icfanet.org/richardfrinierdesignscholarship/.

ICFA Recognizes Excellence at Annual Awards Gala

dfalvey — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:36:25 +0000

ICFA Recognizes Excellence at Annual Awards Gala dfalvey Wed, 07/12/2023 - 08:36

International Casual Furnishings Association members and guests gathered at the Georgia Aquarium for the dinner event, which also included announcement of the Sales Representative of the Year, the Unsung Hero Award recipient, and a new accolade: the Dudley K. Flanders Senior Leadership Award.

The annual ICFA Awards Gala was underwritten by ANDMORE (formerly International Market Centers), co-sponsor of Casual Market Atlanta at AmericasMart.

Apollo Awards

The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service. Winners in two categories, single-store and multi-store, were selected from a group of finalists through an online ballot.

Winner in the single-store category was Village Green Home & Garden of Rockford, IL. Finalists included Island Living & Patio, West Palm Beach, FL; O’Malia’s Living, Carmel, IN; Outdoor Elegance, La Verne, CA; Patios Plus, Rancho Mirage, CA; and Villa Terrazza, Sonoma, CA.

Winner in the multi-store category also was Gasper Home & Garden Showplace, based in Furlong, PA. Finalists in the multi-store category included Kolo Collection, Atlanta; Sunnyland Outdoor Living, Dallas; Today’s Patio, Scottsdale, AZ; and Viridien, Charlotte, NC.

Design Excellence Awards

The Design Excellence competition recognizes products in 10 categories for their overall design, as well as their marketability, innovation, color, construction and imaginative use of materials. Eligible designs must have been introduced in the marketplace within the previous year. The 2023 category winners are:

Chaise Lounge: Brown Jordan’s Oliver Adjustable Chair designed by Ann Marie Vering;
Complementary Casual Products/Accents: TUUCI’s Highland Garden Planter designed by Dougan Clarke;
Complementary Casual Products/Furnishings: Bernhardt Exteriors’ Milos-Cyprus Table Group designed by the Bernhardt Exteriors design team;
Dining/Bar Chair: Bernhardt Exteriors’ Rhodes Arm Chair designed by the Bernhardt Exteriors design team;
Dining/Bar Table: Castelle’s Tulip Table with Faux Marble Top designed by Curtis Bulleman;
Fabric: Glen Raven’s Strada Sky designed by Richard Frinier;
Heating/Firepit: Ocean Rock USA’s Bianco White Carrara Marble Porcelain Fire Table designed by the Ocean Rock USA design team;
Lounge Seating with Cushion: Foremost Home’s Ming Chair designed by Jim Sica;
Lounge Seating without Cushion: Jensen Outdoor’s Trellis Lounge Chair designed by Edi and Paola Ciani; and,
Shade: Sunvilla’s Powered Market Umbrella designed by the Sunville design team.

Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” and “Lilly” Awards

The Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” award was selected from the 10 category winners listed above. The 2023 award went to Bernhardt Exteriors for its Milos-Cyprus Table Group, (left), which also received the Lilly Award in the Outdoor Furniture category.

Sunvilla’s Powered Market Umbrella received the “Lilly” award in the Outdoor Accents category.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the casual furniture industry and to their individual communities. The 2023 honoree is Kathy Juckett, CEO of Telescope Casual Furniture. Representing the fourth generation of the Telescope Casual family, Juckett arrived at the company intending to simply complete an independent study in the human resources office in order to complete the last few credits necessary for her graduation from Skidmore College. She ended up staying 44 years (and counting). Early in her tenure, she focused on developing a company culture committed to continuous improvement and lean manufacturing best practices. “My objective has always been to create a culture where change isn't scary but embraced as we strive for continuous improvement. By being a nimble manufacturing operation that maximizes opportunities and minimizes downsides, we can survive and thrive,” said Juckett. The winner of seven Manufacturer Leadership Awards since 2012 and three Manufacturer of the Year awards, the company now employs more than 320.

Manufacturer of the Year

Lloyd Flanders was named Manufacturer of the Year – a tribute to the design and quality of the company’s products, as well as its outstanding merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations. This year’s finalists, all of whom received Manufacturer Leadership Awards, included Castelle, Ebel Inc., POLYWOOD and Treasure Garden.

Sales Representative of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding sales representative within the casual furnishing industry. Candidates were selected based on leadership, professionalism, exceptional service, communication skills, knowledge and product training expertise. The 2023 winner, selected from six finalists and determined through online voting, was Charlie Smith of La Quinta, Calif., who represents O.W. Lee, Hanamint, TUUCI, Gloster and Quality Works.
Other finalists included John Balch, Nashville, Tenn.; Tim Baldwin, Richmond, Va.; Doug Becht, Geneva, Ill.; Joe Crandall, Marietta, Ga.; and Phil Fowler, Philadelphia.

Mia Nault Unsung Hero Award

This award was created to call attention to outstanding customer service representatives at manufacturing companies throughout the casual furnishings industry. Candidates are selected based on their ability to provide exceptional customer service, as well as outstanding communication skills, innovative problem-solving, professionalism and ability to inspire others as brand ambassadors. In 2021 the award was renamed in honor of the inaugural 2020 recipient, the late Mia Nault of Ebel Inc. Ana Hartman of Treasure Garden was selected as the 2023 recipient. She was recognized for her overall professionalism, her special talent for defusing complicated situations, her skill in handling calls with a polite, friendly voice, and her competent actions to resolve situations.

Dudley K. Flanders Senior Leadership Award

The first recipient of the Dudley K. Flanders Senior Leadership Award is Jessica Salisbury of Village Green in Rockford, Ill. Salisbury stepped into the CEO’s role with the passing of founder, Larry Smith. She is active both in ICFA and in her company. Her integrity is top-notch, and her personal style is an excellent example of effective leadership.