Contemporary Design Group Creates Design Award

September 22, 2014  by in Furniture Retailing, Industry, Special Events   

Entries into the buying group's competition will be evaluated on originality, creativity, consumer appeal, use of materials, functionality, and manufacturing execution. CDG will accept designs for consideration online through Oct. 10

“A big difference between this award and existing industry awards is that we’ll be recognizing manufacturers of designs that are in production,” said Howard Haimsohn, CDG president. A panel of judges—include CDG retailer members—will evaluate nominees, with the final winner to be announced Dec. 6 at the Contemporary Design Group Annual Conference in Miami.

The award will be named after CDG's co-founder, Edward Haimsohn, who was known for his strong eye for design and attention to quality.

"Eddie Haimsohn was a great mentor to me and many other people in our industry," said Bruce Selik, CDG board member and CEO of Hillside Furniture in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "He stood for honesty and integrity. Throughout the years he taught me to look at merchandise for its design, quality and then price. Unlike many retailers, Eddie always looked at merchandise and never hesitated to make comments that he thought might be helpful in making the product design or structure better for the consumer. He certainly was not shy about telling you his opinion.  Our decision to name our award the Edward Haimsohn Design Award is because he knew and understood excellent design."

As co-founder of the Contemporary Design Group, Haimsohn had the foresight to help create an organization of like-minded retailers who appreciated design and who saw home furnishings as much more than just a product to sell. Members of Contemporary Design Group continue on in the spirit of constructive collaboration, teamwork, and partnership between retailers and manufacturers in the contemporary home furnishings category.

Today, Haimsohn is retired and lives in San Diego.  

The Contemporary Design Group is a national association of independent home furnishings showrooms, specializing in modern and contemporary design.  Currently, the group is 42 showrooms strong with retail members in more 39 cities from coast to coast.