Manufacturers vie for recognition at the Design Excellence Awards

Staff -- Casual Living, 8/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

When you view the more than 125 entries in this year's Design Excellence competition, you can recognize designers and manufacturers were paying attention to what casual furniture retailers said they need. The lines are clean and sharp with styles on the modern side for products ranging from umbrellas to sectional lounges. Cushy sofas and armchairs for deep seating groups make bows to transitional and traditional styles. In all, judges will have a difficult time selecting the winners from 10 categories. Winners will be announced Thursday, Sept. 14, in the second floor conference center of the Merchandise Mart, Chicago. All market attendees are invited to attend the announcement at an industry breakfast, set for 7:30¨C9 a.m.

The Winner of the Design Excellence Lillian B. Winchester Best of Show Award will be named Friday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. during the 47th Annual Apollo Awards dinner at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. Tickets are required for entrance to the event, hosted by the Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. Categories:

Shade Products
Cast Combination Furniture
Complementary Casual Products
Tubular Materials Furniture
Cast Metal Furniture
Resin/Fiberglass Furniture
Outdoor Lighting
Wrought Iron/Wrought Aluminum
Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials Furniture
Wood Casual Furniture

Shade Products

Cast Classics 10' Dartmouth Market Umbrella 17-107

Laneventure Furniture Lumen Wing Parasol Laneventure Furniture 1748

Bungalow by E-Z UP Bungalow by E-Z UP 8-9058

Tropitone Furniture/Victoria Dawson Horizons Umbrella/Basta Sole 1780

Not pictured: Treasure Garden, Inc Easy Track [ET4] Umbrella
1655

Tuuci

 Manta Pavilion
8-7034