Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
IFDA’s ‘Selects’ Event to Debut at High Point Market
April 3,
2019 by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, High Point, Industry, Market 
Design sleuths will be stalking the aisles at the High Point Furniture Market this weekend, searching for 10 '"Best of Show" winners to be celebrated during an IFDA Selects cocktail reception at The Point on Monday, April 8.
A popular initiative created by IFDA (International Furnishings & Design Assoc.), IFDA Selects is coming to Market for the first time after successful runs at other venues in New York, Las Vegas, and Florida, including the AD Design Show and ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair).
"IFDA Selects is all about recognizing design innovation, high quality construction, and environmental responsibility," said Ida McCausland, 2019 president of IFDA. Founded in 1947, the international association has 10 chapters across the US and in Japan, and corporate sponsors representing a cross-section of the design and furnishings industries.
Judges for IFDA Selects at Market are Nelly Arnold, Philadelphia-based interior and jewelry designer; Everick Brown, TV designer (TLC, Fine Living Network, News 12 Westchester, NY); Lisa Walker Brown, VP Everick Brown Design; Sara Chiarilli, designer, author, TV personality, High Point Insider; Cecile Corral, Sr. Editor, Home Textiles Today; Tym De Santo, design star HGTV, aka "Renaissance Guy"; Dr. Wilma Hammett, FIFDA, Professor Emeritus, North Carolina State University; Dr. Jane Nichols, Chair, Dept. of Home Furnishings, High Point University, and Rachel Moriarty, award-winning San Diego County designer, who will be teaming up with Treci Smith, designer and real estate investor.
They will be looking for the "Best in ...." 10 categories: sustainability; rugs and carpets; art and accessories; lighting; upholstered furniture; outdoor living; occasional case goods; bedroom case goods; New & Next; hospitality.
IFDA President McCausland will present "Best of..." winners' awards at the Monday evening cocktail reception from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at The Point on Commerce.
"High Point is the nerve center of our industry," Ida points out. "And IFDA has long been central to important happenings in design and furnishings. Of course, we had to make a point of being here with The Best, and we are grateful to the Market for letting us 'get to The Point,' literally."