Groovystuff names first stage design contest winner

Table uses reclaimed Thai farm equipment, root pieces

Heath E Combs , Furniture Today Staff -- Casual Living, 11/1/2010 9:59:00 AM

High Point, N.C. — Appalachian State University student Lee Shan Beatrouse's Stasis Coffee Table has won the first stage of a design competition sponsored by the university and rustic furniture maker Groovystuff.

Beatrouse's table was inspired by the outdoors and is made of reclaimed Thai farming equipment and teak root pieces. He will receive a $500 cash reward for winning stage one of the contest.

In stage two, Groovystuff will display original drawings of the three finalists, along with finished product prototypes the company will make, in its showroom at the April High Point Market.

It will take orders on the products at market, and the winner of the second stage will be the one that sells the best. It will be included in Groovystuff's Dick Idol Legends licensed collection, and the winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a royalty on future sales.

Besides Beatrouse, the finalists are Alex Parker for the Teak Branch chair and Marshall Dean for the Tumbleweed end table.

Groovystuff and Appalachian State, located in Boone, N.C., created the competition to give students real-world design experience and to inspire them to seek careers in home furnishings.

Twenty-three students in ASU's Industrial Design and Furniture Design programs led by Professor Richard Prisco took part. They were required to design an environmentally friendly product that reflects the Dick Idol brand and can be produced using sustainable manufacturing practices.

Industry judges voted on the entries. In addition, Groovystuff posted the designs on Facebook for public comment and voting and displayed the student models and design boards for market attendees to vote on during the October High Point Market.