HFB Among AHFA HOME Award Winners

April 2, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 3, 2011

The American Home Furnishings Alliance presented its annual HOME Awards Saturday for journalists covering the residential furniture industry.

The awards were created to "Honor Outstanding Media Efforts" in reporting on new home furnishings products and trends.

Winner in the trade publication category was Home Furnishings Business, a second win for the monthly magazine targeting retail and manufacturing executives. Unlike the consumer categories, trade entries are judged on the degree to which the writer helps the industry understand product trends or consumer marketing issues. Judges commended Home Furnishings Business for its efforts to keep industry executives abreast of consumer attitudes about the furniture shopping experience, as well as consumer sentiment about the economy and its impact on shopping behavior.

"Home Furnishings Business continues to bring needed information in an engaging and educational way. Very helpful. A real resource," said one judge. Another described the entry as "consistent, brilliant reporting. This publication has content and soul."

Winner in the regional consumer magazine category was Design NJ Magazine, a regional home and design magazine with more than 100,000 readers throughout New Jersey. In addition to homeowners, it is read by interior designers, architects and other design professionals. It is the second win for Design NJ, which also took home first place honors in the magazine category in 2009. 

The HOME Award judges commended Design NJ for the breadth of products included in its monthly trend reports, but also noted that it remains "very readable." One judge said the publication received the top vote for offering readers €œunique product selection and great images with easy-to-find information and tips on how to incorporate it."

Winner in the newspaper category was Tracy Lehmann, home and garden editor for the San Antonio Express-News. Lehmann's entries included both regular newspaper features as well as articles from a glossy, magazine-format monthly supplement called "Trends."

"Tracy's talent for the memorable turn of phrase and her insight into emerging trends is a delight to the reader and a service to the industry," one reported. Another judge commended Lehmann for digging deep to find interesting product themes "to explore and illuminate."

Winner in the broadcast category was "For Your Home", a lively and informative home and garden show on public television since 1996. It was the second win for the Charlotte-based show hosted by Vicki Payne.

"(Vicki offers) terrific tips and 'rules' to do it right! (She) made redecorating seem fun and possible, not daunting. Actually inspired ME to change some things in my living room," wrote one judge. Another noted, "With a profusion of (shows) about the home, Vicki Payne and For Your Home stand apart in increasing awareness of what is possible."

All five 2011 first-place winners received a Chinese red "Dogwood" vase created by master potter Ben Owen III of Seagrove, N.C.

The growing competition received more than a dozen entries in the consumer magazine category this year, prompting judges to honor both a national and a regional publication. Winner in the national magazine group was Better Homes & Gardens, which was recognized for its "Style Made Simple" series and room makeover features that help consumers "decode" the key ingredients to making a room warm and functional.

Each year the judges also have the option of awarding honorable mentions. This year five honorable mentions were awarded, including a first-time award in the social media category. Recognized with honorable mentions were:

Social Media: Lesley Weidenbener for The Design File blog.
Trade: Wallace W. (Jerry) Epperson for Home Furnishings Digest.
Newspaper: Stacy Downs, Kansas City Star.
Regional Magazine: Merri Grace McLeroy, Gulfstream Media Group.
National Magazine: House Beautiful.

"This year€™s entries included some of the most visually beautiful magazine pieces we have ever received," said Jackie Hirschhaut, AHFA vice president. "But, as inspiring as stunning photography can be, this competition is truly about the complete editorial package. Our judges are looking for inspiring copy that moves consumers into action, fully equipping them to find the products or recreate the rooms they find on those glossy four-color pages."

Judges for the HOME awards are members of AHFA's Public Relations Council. Last year's HOME Award winners also helped judge the 2009 entries. They included Elaine Markoutsas, home writer for Universal Press Syndicate; Lacey Howard, editor of Decorating Magazine; and David Perry of Furniture/Today.
 
Members of AHFA€™s Public Relations Council include Doug Bassett, Vaughan-Bassett; Holly Blalock, C.R. Laine; Teresa Buelin, Laneventure; Ben Copeland, Copeland Furniture; Lisa Hanly, Furniture Brands International; Laura Holland, Hickory Chair; Kate Holcomb, Rowe Furniture; Justin Mills, Flexsteel Industries; Jay Moore, Bassett Furniture; Kim Shaver, Hooker Furniture; and Ed Tashjian, Home Meridian International.