The newly formed luxury design community, ELEVATE, developed in partnership with High Point Market Authority and adorno Magazine recently announced those that were honored at their inaugural awards dinner. The dinner was held at the Universal Furniture showroom in High Point Market. Neil MacKenzie, Universal’s Director of Marketing explained, “Building relationships directly with designers is the future of our business. When we were offered the opportunity to be the first title sponsor of the event and tour, it was an easy decision.”

The gala and awards featured the who’s who of the design industry. The evening was part of a larger program that brought an international panel of interior designers with seven-figure yearly earnings, who had not previously attended Market or had not visited in the last five years back, to High Point for the April Market. “Being from Australia, I was not familiar with High Point Market or its status as the largest furniture show in the world. But after attending, I can now see why it will become a new resource for me and my team. My clients deserve and can afford the best and they have homes all over the world. To have a resource where we can shop for every aspect of the home in one place is a great boon,” said award-winning celebrity interior designer Greg Natale.

During the gala event, adorno Magazine editor-in-chief, Sara Ledterman presented 14 awards before the crowd of interior design professionals. Recipients were not told of their win ahead of time, creating some of the best and most surprising moments of the evening. In an industry where planning is key, hearing heartfelt off-the-cuff speeches from some of the world’s best designers was both refreshing and touching.

“At our table sat old friends and colleges I have known and respected for years. Suzanne Kasler and I were seated next to each other and chatting about awards when we were interrupted hearing her name called for Luxury Design Icon. A few moments later, much to my shock, my own name was called for Best Traditional Luxury Interior Design. It was an unreal moment! It was so unexpected, I didn’t even have my shoes on and ran up to receive the award barefoot,” says legendary designer Mary Douglas Drysdale.

The awards selected fit the ELEVATE theme and are one-of-a-kind hand-made, slumped and fused glass sculptures by FRATES American Glass. Each unique award looked like natural quartzite minerals. The handcrafted pieces weighed several pounds and ranged from six to fourteen inches mounted on a granite base.

“It was a great honor to be chosen to create the award sculptures for the Gala. I recently started to expand my own art glass works collection with designer collaborations. It makes me happy to think that these designers will use the awards in their own personal spaces,” says Studio Director and Owner of FRATES American Glass, Doug Frates.

The evening’s awards led to many other memorable moments and speeches. One notable crowd pleaser was the speech from respected industry stylist and recent media darling Stacy Kunstel of Dunes and Duchess. Kunstel won the award for Best New Luxury Product Line. Upon receiving the award, she called her husband up to thank him for giving her the first candlestick, which served as the inspiration for starting their popular home accessories and lighting collection.

Award winners included:

Suzanne Kasler of Suzanne Kasler for the Luxury Design Icon Award

Greg Natale of Greg Natale Design for Best International Luxury Design Award

William T. Baker of William T. Baker & Associates for Best Luxury Architect Award

Mary Douglas Drysdale of Mary Douglas Drysdale for Best Traditional Luxury Interior Design Award

Lonni Paul of Lonni Paul Design for Best Luxury Contemporary Design Award

Gary Inman of Baskervill for Best Luxury Hospitality Design Award

Michelle R. Smith of Studio MRS Interiors for Best Luxury Design Rising Star Award

Christopher Kennedy of Christopher Kennedy Compound for Best Luxury Design Showhouse

Susan M. Jamieson of Bridget Beari Designs for Best Luxury Wall Coverings

Susan Hable of Susan Hable Art Home for Best Luxury Textile Design

Celerie Kemble of Kemble Interiors for Best Luxury Case Goods Line

Stacy Kunstel of Dunes and Duchess for Best Accessory Line

Eric Cohler of Eric Cohler Design for “Cohler on Design” [Monacelli Press] was awarded Best Luxury Design Book

Rudi Nijssen of Schwung Home for Best Luxury Lighting Design

High Point Market Authority and adorno magazine have announced intentions to continue the program next year.

(Source: Furniture World Magazine  furninfo.com)