FurnitureLab announces table top design contest for trip to Las Vegas

FurnitureLab is hosting a national graphic table top design contest for the chance to win a trip to the Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas on May 18-20.
Contestants are encouraged to use collages, illustrations, artwork or photographs to illustrate what the contest theme of "travel" means to them and effectively display it on a table top. FurnitureLab staff will judge all entries and select a winning design to be displayed on a 24-inch table at the company's booth during the HD Expo. Entries will be judged on creativity, aesthetics and how well the design translates on a horizontal table surface.
Entry to the contest is free and the deadline for submission is Thursday, March 31. Visit FurnitureLab's website for contest rules or to submit an entry. The winning designer will receive free admission to the HD Expo, a special award during the show, a $500 gift prize to cover round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations in Las Vegas, a feature on FurnitureLab's website, and the actual table on which their winning design is displayed.
"We have been passionate about custom tables since the day we started because they let you make something that is truly unique," said Gregory Rapp, president of FurnitureLab. "This contest has been such an inspiring process and it reminds us that tables can do more than just support plates and elbows, but they can be a medium for expression, communication and truly make a place feel special."

Pine cone inspired furniture design

Most people won’t admit where their source of inspiration comes from (it starts with a b and ends with a room).
However, design student, Alix Armour was inspired by a pine cone, created a “pine-scale cocktail table” and won the 2011 Student Design Competition, sponsored by the American Society of Furniture Designers. Armour's table was prototyped and displayed at the High Point Market. According to the designer, she would like to create a furniture line based on the form, shape and colors of the pine cone. Nature is the original artist.

Dangerous curves

Queue the porn music: bam chicka wah wah
Thos. Moser has taken a Best of Year (BoY) award in Interior Design’s annual design competition for its Pasadena side and arm chairs.
Finalists were selected by interior designers and architects with an online vote in October, and winners were determined by a jury of architects and designers.
A modern, geometric hourglass defines both the Pasadena chairs, with only one straight angle on the chair, where the back and seat joint are reinforced.
Made in the USA has never been sexier! Bam chicka wah wah

Yes, Virginia, you can buy furniture made in the USA

As Christmas is fast approaching, a piece of furniture may be on your must-have list. Surprisingly if you prefer to buy goods made in the United States, you do have some options. If you’re looking for something well-made, you can pass down through the generations, I have five companies you should check out.
American Leather—This manufacturer can produce sofas, love seats, sectionals and more in leather or any fabric and ship it in 21 days. American Leather produces exclusive designs for Crate & Barrel, Room & Board and Macy’s (just to name a few).
Harden Furniture Co.— Known as a green manufacturer, Harden achieved 2008 Silver Exemplary status from the Sustainable Furniture Council — the first furniture manufacturer to achieve this honor. The company ships custom-finished goods in 30 days because everything is made in McConnellsville, N.Y.
C.R. Laine—This home-grown furniture company is also making green strides. C.R. Laine was the first company to achieve sustainable by design certification. Its frames are made from sustainable hardwoods and its springs are formed using recycled metal. Customers can choose from 1,000 frame styles and fabric choices.
Kindel Furniture Co.—If you appreciate hard-carved details and solid hardwood furniture then prepare to fall in love. This Michigan-based manufacturer employs more than 100 hand-carvers and furniture decorators and produces a furniture line of Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, reproductions. The company also will refurbish any piece of furniture made over the past century.
Hickory Chair—Personalization is key to this manufacturer’s success. If you can dream it they can build it. Finishes, shapes and hand-painted designs are all possible because almost everything is produced in North Carolina. The manufacturer recently launched a “Made to Measure” wood products, which include side tables, dining tables and more.
If you’re looking for a cheap piece of disposable furniture, I recommend going to IKEA or Target. Made in the USA does come with a price. These companies have to pay competitive wages and comply with U.S. environmental standards.

Contest rewards creative veneer use

Veneer Technologies now is accepting entries for the Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge Awards, sponsored by FDM and CabinetMaker magazines.

The competition recognizes achievement in the use of natural veneer or wood product applications through cash awards and other recognition to designers, craftsmen, distributors and distributor’s sales representatives. Entrants may submit up to three items. The competition categories are: Furniture, Store Fixtures, Cabinetry, Architectural Woodworking, Specialty Items and Student Design.

Cash in the amount of $3,000 will be awarded to the grand-prize winning entry. The distributor of the veneer for the grand-prize will receive $2,000 and the corresponding salesperson will receive $1,000. Six $1,000 prizes also will be given out to each of the category winners. A $1,000 bonus is available for the grand-prize winner if entered by March 31, 2009.

There is no entry fee, and entries are accepted through June 1, 2009. The official announcement of winners will be made at AWFS Las Vegas, July 15-18, 2009.

A table featuring pau ferro, holly, lacewood, wenge, laurel burl and pear veneers was chosen as the top entry out of 168 in the fourth annual competition, announced in Atlanta during the 2008 IWF show. Gregg Novosad of Divine Design, Palatine, Ill., was awarded the $5,000 grand prize for excellence in woodwork featuring natural veneer and wood product applications. Certainly Wood, distributor to Divine Design, received a cash award of $3,000 and salesman Jim Carroll received $2,000 in recognition of their participation in the supply chain.

I was lucky enough to see this table in person. It's amazing what you can do with veneer. Think you have the creativity to win? If so, for entry materials, visit http://www.veneertech.com/.